Odisha launches 'Sweekruti' umbrella scheme for transgender welfare
The Odisha government launched 'Sweekruti' on 1 January 2026, a rights-based umbrella scheme run by the SSEPD department for the education, livelihood, health and legal support of transgender persons.
Summary
The Odisha government launched 'Sweekruti' on 1 January 2026, a rights-based umbrella scheme for the welfare and empowerment of transgender persons, implemented by the Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) department. Sweekruti covers financial assistance to parents of transgender children, pre- and post-matric scholarships, skill and entrepreneurship training, support for self-help groups, healthcare and group insurance, legal aid, hostels and rehabilitation centres. Under its guidelines, parents or guardians of transgender children receive ₹1,500 a month until the child turns 18; Odisha has a transgender population of about 20,300 as per the last census.
Key facts
- Launched
- 1 January 2026, Government of Odisha
- Department
- Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD)
- Parents' aid
- ₹1,500 per month until the child turns 18
- Components
- Scholarships, skilling, SHGs, healthcare/insurance, legal aid, hostels, rehabilitation centres
- Population
- ~20,300 transgender persons (last census)
Practice MCQs 2 questions
'Sweekruti', launched by a state government on 1 January 2026, is an umbrella welfare scheme for which group?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Transgender persons
New Indian Express and Kalinga TV: Odisha's Sweekruti is a rights-based umbrella scheme for the welfare and empowerment of transgender persons.
Under Odisha's Sweekruti scheme, how much monthly assistance do parents or guardians of transgender children receive until the child turns 18?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — ₹1,500
Sambad English and Kalinga TV: parents or guardians of transgender children receive ₹1,500 a month until the child attains 18 years.