The government has said that one thousand 761 Anganwadi-cum-Crèches are operational across the country under the Palna Scheme. Palna is a centrally sponsored scheme which provides quality crèche facilities in a safe and secure environment for children from six months to six years. The Palna scheme is implemented with a funding ratio of 60:40 between the central and state governments, except in Northeast and special category states, where the ratio is 90:10.

The Women and Child Development Ministry has said that there are two types of crèches under the Palna scheme – standalone crèches and Anganwadi-cum-crèches. The Ministry of Labour and Employment has amended the Maternity Benefit Act to mandate all establishments with 50 or more employees to provide a crèche facility. The crèche facilities under Palna are provided to all mothers, irrespective of their employment status. The ministry said one thousand 284 standalone crèches are also operational across the country.

The Women and Child Development Ministry has set a target to establish 17 thousand new Anganwadi cum creches under the scheme in 2024-25. The ministry said 11,395 Anganwadi-cum-Crèches have been approved across 34 states and union territories under the scheme.