In Uttar Pradesh, many children have lost one or both parents, or have seen their family situation change suddenly. For such children, continuing education, meeting daily needs, and moving towards a safe future becomes very difficult. The Bal Seva Yojana has been made for these children.
In this article you will find complete information about the scheme in one place. What the scheme is, who can apply, which documents are needed, how to apply online and offline, and what happens after you apply — every question is answered in the sections below.
You will also find the difference between the COVID category and the General category, how this scheme differs from the central PM CARES scheme, the latest status in 2026, and a comparison with similar schemes in other states, so that you can choose the right scheme and avoid mistakes.
What Is the Bal Seva Yojana?
The Mukhyamantri Bal Seva Yojana is a scheme of the Government of Uttar Pradesh, run by the Women Welfare Department (mahilakalyan.up.nic.in). Its aim is to help children who have lost their parents, or whose parents are unable to look after them for some reason.
The scheme was announced on 29-30 May 2021 by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. At that time the country was going through the second wave of COVID-19 and many children had lost their parents. The scheme was first meant for those children, but later a General category was added, so that children orphaned for reasons other than COVID, children of divorced or abandoned mothers, children of jailed parents, and rescued child labour, begging or trafficking victims can also benefit.
Under the scheme, the child gets monthly financial help directly into the bank account through DBT. Other benefits include free education, books, a tablet or laptop, and marriage assistance for girls. The aim of the scheme is not only to give money, but to keep the child’s education, safety and a life of dignity intact.
Applications can be made online on the official portal of the UP Mukhyamantri Bal Seva Yojana, mbsyup.in. The portal offers new registration as well as login. A valid mobile number is necessary while applying, because information and OTP-related messages come on it. Duplicate applications for the same child can be rejected, so first check the status of your earlier application.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme name | Mukhyamantri Bal Seva Yojana (Uttar Pradesh) |
| Department | Women Welfare Department, Uttar Pradesh (mahilakalyan.up.nic.in) |
| Announced | 29-30 May 2021, by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath |
| Application portal | mbsyup.in (UPMBSY) |
| COVID category help | Rs 4,000 per month, till the age of 18 |
| General category help | Rs 2,500 per month, till the age of 18; till 23 for higher education |
| Application deadline | Within 2 years of the parent’s death |
| Income limit | COVID category (one parent alive): Rs 2 lakh per year; General category: Rs 3 lakh per year; no income limit if both parents have died |
| Verification | Checking within 15 days of identification; approval by the District Level Task Force |
| Mode of benefit | DBT — directly into the bank account |
COVID Category vs General Category — What Is the Difference?
The scheme has two parts, and their benefits, eligibility and coverage are different. It is very important to identify your correct category before applying, because an application in the wrong category can get stuck or be rejected.
| Point | COVID Category | General Category |
|---|---|---|
| For whom | Children who lost parents due to COVID-19 | Children orphaned for non-COVID reasons; children of divorced or abandoned mothers; children of jailed parents; rescued child labour, begging or trafficking victims |
| Monthly help | Rs 4,000 per month | Rs 2,500 per month |
| Age limit | Till 18 years | Till 18 years; till 23 years for higher education (graduation or diploma after Class 12); also till 23 for children who qualify in NEET, JEE or CLAT |
| Free education | Free education till Class 12; admission to Atal Residential School or Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya | Education-related help as per scheme rules |
| Tablet / Laptop | Tablet or laptop from Class 9 | As per available benefits |
| Marriage help for girls | Rs 1,01,000 | As per scheme rules |
| Property protection | Protection of the child’s property through the District Magistrate (DM) | As per applicable rules |
| Income limit | If one parent is alive, family income not more than Rs 2 lakh per year; no income limit if both parents have died | Rs 3 lakh per year; no income limit if both parents have died |
How It Differs from PM CARES — Do Not Mix the Two
The Bal Seva Yojana and the PM CARES for Children scheme are often mistaken for each other, but they are two different schemes. Understanding the difference matters because their benefits and conditions are completely different.
PM CARES for Children is a central scheme, launched on 29 May 2021. Under it, the child gets a corpus of Rs 10 lakh at the age of 18, a monthly stipend between the ages of 18 and 23, a lump sum of Rs 10 lakh at the age of 23, a PM-JAY health cover of Rs 5 lakh, and a scholarship of Rs 20,000 per year under the Scholarship for PM CARES Children. The enrolment window for this scheme was 11 March 2020 to 31 December 2021, and that window is now CLOSED.
Understand this clearly: the Rs 10 lakh of PM CARES is NOT a Bal Seva Yojana benefit. The Bal Seva Yojana is a state scheme of the Uttar Pradesh government, giving monthly help of Rs 4,000 (COVID) or Rs 2,500 (General). PM CARES is a separate central government scheme. If you are a PM CARES beneficiary or want to know more about it, read our article: PM CARES Children Scholarship Aadhaar 2026 Guide (in Hindi: PM CARES Children Scholarship Aadhaar 2026).
Both schemes have separate applications and separate processes. Do not trust anyone who says that the Bal Seva Yojana gives Rs 10 lakh, or that a fresh application can still be made under PM CARES. For correct information, always contact the official website or the district office.
Who Can Apply? — Eligibility Conditions
To get the benefit of the scheme, the following conditions must be met:
- The child must be a resident of Uttar Pradesh.
- The child must be below 18 years of age. In the higher-education stream, children doing graduation or a diploma after Class 12 can get the benefit till the age of 23. The same till-23 provision applies to children who qualify in exams such as NEET, JEE and CLAT.
- In the COVID category, if one parent is alive, the family income should not be more than Rs 2 lakh per year. If both parents have died, there is no income limit.
- In the General category, the family income should not be more than Rs 3 lakh per year. Here too, there is no income limit if both parents have died.
- The application must be made within 2 years of the parent’s death. This time limit is very important — a late application can be rejected.
- Under the General category, the scheme also covers children whose mothers are divorced or abandoned, whose parents are in jail, or who have been rescued from child labour, begging or trafficking.
The income-limit detail needs to be understood carefully. Many people assume that an income limit applies in every case, while in fact no income limit applies when both parents have died. Similarly, the income limits of the COVID and General categories are different — Rs 2 lakh and Rs 3 lakh. Keep the correct income certificate ready as per your category before applying.
Documents Required — Keep Them Ready First
Before starting the application, keep the following documents ready so that the application does not get stuck midway:
- Death certificate(s) of the parent(s) — one or both, as per the situation.
- Aadhaar card of the child and Aadhaar card of the guardian.
- Birth or age proof of the child — birth certificate or school record.
- Proof of residence in Uttar Pradesh — domicile certificate or an equivalent document.
- Income certificate — where the income limit applies. There is no income limit if both parents have died, but keep documents ready as per the department’s directions.
- Bank passbook — a copy of the bank account of the child or guardian, in which the account number and IFSC are clearly visible. For DBT, the account should be linked with Aadhaar.
- School enrolment certificate.
- Passport-size photo of the child.
Scanned copies of documents should be clear and readable. A blurred or incomplete copy can lead to the application being returned. Before applying, check that the name, date of birth and address are the same on every document. If the spelling of a name differs on any document, get it corrected first.
How to Apply — Online and Offline Both
Online Application — on mbsyup.in
- First open the official portal https://mbsyup.in/.
- Click on New Registration. If you are already registered, then Login.
- Enter your correct mobile number and verify it with OTP.
- Fill the application form carefully with the child’s details, the guardian’s details, details related to the parents, and the bank account details.
- Choose your correct category — COVID or General.
- Upload all the documents listed above. Every file should be clear and in the correct format.
- Read the full form once, check it, and then submit it.
- After submitting, note down the application number safely or take a screenshot. The status of the application can be checked with this number.
Offline Application — Different Routes for Rural and Urban Areas
Families who cannot apply online can also apply offline:
- In rural areas: contact the Gram Panchayat Officer, Gram Vikas Adhikari or the Block office. The application is forwarded to the office of the District Probation Officer.
- In urban areas: contact the Lekhpal or the Tehsil office. From here too, the application goes to the District Probation Officer.
What Happens After You Apply?
After the application is submitted, the verification process is completed within 15 days of identification of the child. After this, the District Level Task Force approves the application. Once approved, the monthly help starts coming directly into the bank account through DBT.
If any shortcoming is found in the application, contact the department and get it corrected. Keep checking the status of your application on the portal or at the office of the District Probation Officer. Do not pay any middleman — there is no fee for applying to a government scheme, and no agent can get an application approved.
Status in 2026 — Latest Figures
According to a PTI report of June 2026, 103,611 children have joined the scheme under the General category, and more than Rs 200 crore has been disbursed. In the COVID category, more than 4,500 orphaned children have been covered.
The scheme is in force in all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh. More than 8,300 laptops have been distributed to children so far. These figures show the growing reach of the scheme — a scheme first made only for children affected by COVID has now reached thousands of non-COVID children as well.
On the official page of the Women Welfare Department (mahilakalyan.up.nic.in/en/OurProgram_en.aspx), live on 7 November 2026, the scheme information confirms Rs 2,500 per month for the General category, below 18 years of age, and the facility of 18 to 23 years for graduation or diploma after Class 12.
Note that the figures given here are based on the June 2026 PTI report and the department page. Before applying, do check the latest information on mbsyup.in and mahilakalyan.up.nic.in.
Similar Schemes in Other States — Comparison
Apart from Uttar Pradesh, many states run similar schemes for orphaned children. Comparing them makes it easy to understand that the benefits and conditions are different in every state — the benefit of one state does not apply in another state.
| State | Scheme / Benefit | Key Information |
|---|---|---|
| Gujarat | Rs 2,000 per month (death of one parent); Rs 4,000 per month (death of both) | Till 18 years; Rs 6,000 per month till 21 years if studying; Rs 2 lakh grant for a daughter’s marriage (marriage on or after 1 April 2023, apply within 2 years of the marriage) |
| Haryana | Rs 2,500 per month + Rs 12,000 per year education help + Rs 51,000 marriage help | Notified on 16 June 2021 |
| Madhya Pradesh | Rs 5,000 per month, till 21 years | Portal: covidbalkalyan.mp.gov.in (this information is based on a secondary source) |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Rs 1,500 per month | Extended in April 2025 to cover all orphaned children |
From the comparison above, it is clear that the monthly amount, age limit and extra benefits are different in every state. Apply only for the scheme of the state where you live. Only residents of Uttar Pradesh get the benefit of the UP Bal Seva Yojana.
Common Mistakes and Solutions — Troubleshooting
- Choosing the wrong category: The benefits and conditions of the COVID and General categories are different. Choose the right category as per your situation. An application in the wrong category can be rejected.
- Missing the 2-year deadline: Apply within 2 years of the parent’s death. A late application can be rejected, so apply as soon as the documents are ready.
- Duplicate application: Do not apply twice for the same child. Duplicate applications are rejected. Check the status of the first application on the portal.
- Wrong mobile number: Give a correct and active mobile number on the portal, because OTP and application-related messages come on it.
- Bank account not linked with Aadhaar: For DBT, the bank account should be linked with Aadhaar. Visit the bank and check that the account is active and Aadhaar seeding is complete.
- Uploading blurred documents: Upload clear scanned copies. A blurred copy can lead to the application being returned.
- Confusion with PM CARES: The Rs 10 lakh of PM CARES is not a Bal Seva Yojana benefit, and its enrolment is closed. If anyone asks for money in this name, be careful at once.
- Confusion with the Maharashtra scheme: Maharashtra’s Shravan Bal Seva Rajya Nivruttivetan Yojana is an old-age pension of Rs 1,500 per month for senior citizens aged 65 and above. It is completely different from the Bal Seva Yojana for children — do not mix the two.
- Paying an agent: No agent or middleman is needed to apply for a government scheme. The application is free. If anyone asks for money, report it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How much money is given every month under the Bal Seva Yojana?
Rs 4,000 per month in the COVID category and Rs 2,500 per month in the General category. The amount comes directly into the bank account through DBT.
2. Is the scheme only for children orphaned by COVID?
No. The scheme was first for children affected by COVID, but now the General category also includes children orphaned for non-COVID reasons, children of divorced or abandoned mothers, children of jailed parents, and rescued child labourers.
3. What is the last date to apply?
There is no single fixed last date for this scheme, but the application must be made within 2 years of the parent’s death. So it is best to apply early.
4. Does the income limit apply even if both parents have died?
No. If both parents have died, there is no income limit. The income limit applies when one parent is alive — Rs 2 lakh per year in the COVID category and Rs 3 lakh per year in the General category.
5. Can the benefit continue after the age of 18?
Yes, in the case of higher education. Children doing graduation or a diploma after Class 12 can get the benefit till the age of 23. The same till-23 provision applies to children who qualify in exams such as NEET, JEE and CLAT.
6. How much help is given for a girl’s marriage?
In the COVID category, there is a provision of Rs 1,01,000 as marriage assistance for a girl. In the General category, marriage help is given as per the scheme rules — check the latest rules from the department page or the district office before applying.
7. How can I check the status of my application?
With the application number received after applying, the status can be checked on the mbsyup.in portal. You can also contact the office of the District Probation Officer.
8. Do all children get a tablet or laptop?
In the COVID category, there is a provision of a tablet or laptop from Class 9. More than 8,300 laptops had been distributed by June 2026. For correct and latest information, contact the department page or the district office.
Official Links — Apply Only From Here
- Application portal: https://mbsyup.in/
- Women Welfare Department, UP: https://mahilakalyan.up.nic.in/
- Department scheme page: https://mahilakalyan.up.nic.in/en/OurProgram_en.aspx
- Our article on PM CARES: PM CARES Children Scholarship Aadhaar 2026 Guide
Take any information related to the scheme only from the official links given above or from the Probation Officer office of your district. Do not apply on the basis of any unknown link, WhatsApp message or agent.
Disclaimer: This article has been prepared by a private information portal, not a government website. GramSuvidha is not connected with any government department. Scheme conditions and benefits can change with time, so do check the latest information on the official website before applying.
Last Updated: 7 November 2026
