What is the legal status of begging in India now?

Not all parts of India treat begging as a criminal offense. In 2018, the Delhi High Court declared that the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act's provisions that made begging illegal violated fundamental rights.

What are the major laws or policies relevant to begging in 2025?

1. BNSS, 2023 (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita) : Executive magistrates now have the authority to impose orders under this new statute in cases of urgent annoyance or "apprehended danger," including public nuisance. In several jurisdictions, begging and almsgiving are prohibited by municipal orders under the BNSS. 2. NHRC Advisory (2024) : The National Human Rights Commission has recommended skill development, database development, relief efforts, and other steps to safeguard, rehabilitate, and improve the welfare of those who engage in begging.

How many people are estimated to be beggars or engaged in begging in India?

In India, there were approximately 413,670 vagrants and beggars as per the 2011 Census. There is no publicly published national census-level count from 2021 or later that provides a complete India age-gender distribution, despite more recent surveys and rescue efforts revealing youngsters in organized begging rings, etc.

What are the main challenges in addressing begging in India?

1. Lack of reliable, up‐to‐date data: age, gender, regional differences. 2. Poverty, homelessness, lack of social security nets force people into begging. 3. Organized begging / forced begging of children — law enforcement and social care difficulties. 4. Social stigma, exclusion, limited access to rehabilitation, education, healthcare. 5. Balancing between public order concerns (traffic, hygiene, nuisance) and rights of vulnerable people.

Begging in India, 2025

Author

Deeksha Srivastava

Created

October 8, 2025October 8, 2025

Reading time

6 min

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Supreme Court (SC) ruled in M.S. Patter v. State of NCT of Delhi that state-run beggars’ homes are constitutional trusts rather than “quasi-penal facilities” or “discretionary charity.” Stressing the state’s obligation under Article 21 to defend life with dignity, the SC issued directives to make sure institutions respect these rights.

What are the Key Directives Issued by the SC on Begging in India?

Safety and Security
- Childcare, counseling, and education services in secure, separate facilities for women and children.
- Under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act of 2015, the SC made it clear that children should not be housed in the homes of beggars but rather be sent to child welfare facilities.
- This is in line with what India is required to do by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Health and Wellness
- Health examinations must be completed within 24 hours after admission.
- Dieticians are assigned to keep an eye on food’s nutritional value.
Infrastructure and Maintenance
- Every two years, independent third parties assess the infrastructure.
- Strict occupancy restrictions to avoid congestion. vocational instruction for social reintegration.

What is the Legal Framework Concerning Begging in India?

Current Legal Framework
- Under the Concurrent List (List III, Entry 15), the Indian Constitution permits the Union and state governments to pass legislation on vagrancy (including beggary), nomadic, and migratory tribes.
- The Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959, which defines a beggar as someone asking for charity, selling products for sale, or acting needy, is followed by numerous states and Union Territories in place of a central legislation against beggarry.
Judicial Stand
- The Delhi High Court’s 2018 decision in Harsh Mander v. Union of India highlighted the significance of tackling poverty without making it a crime by ruling that the Bombay Act infringed upon the right to live with dignity.
- A Public Interest Litigation to ban beggars from public areas was dismissed by the SC in 2021, highlighting the fact that begging is a socioeconomic problem rather than a criminal one.
Government Efforts
- The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched the Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE) program in 2022 with the goal of rehabilitating beggars by offering them medical attention, education, and skill development in order to create a “beggar-free” India by 2026.
- As of 2024, SMILE had rehabilitated 970 people, including 352 children.
- According to the 2011 Census, there are around 413670 vagrants and beggars in India. The states having the most beggars are West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.

What are the causes of begging in India, and how does it affect society?

Causes of begging in India	Impacts on Society
People are forced to beg as a result of poverty, unemployment, and migration.	Diseases spread in begging areas due to poor sanitation.
In certain societies, begging is exacerbated by the caste system and inherited professions.	People are taken advantage of by organized begging rings, which also engage in forced labor and child trafficking.
Because they don’t receive the necessary healthcare and rehabilitation, disabled people frequently turn to begging.	The public’s impression of metropolitan areas, security, and tourism are all impacted by aggressive begging.
Poverty and begging are exacerbated by displacement brought on by earthquakes, floods, and droughts.	Beggars who target the underprivileged and disenfranchised are frequently arrested under anti-begging legislation without receiving alternative rehabilitation.
Criminal syndicates and human traffickers take advantage of weaker people, such as by drugging infants in exchange for payments motivated by pity.	Resources for public welfare and healthcare systems are strained by malnourished beggars.

What are the Challenges in Addressing Begging in India?

Lack of Reliable Data: Most data on beggars is outdated or incomplete. Without accurate statistics, policy formulation remains ineffective.
Inadequate Infrastructure: Shelters, rehabilitation centers, and vocational training facilities are insufficient, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
Public Perception: Many citizens view beggars as nuisances or criminals, rather than victims of systemic failure. This stigma hampers rehabilitation efforts.
Inter-State Coordination: Begging often involves cross-border movement. Coordination between states is essential for repatriation and reintegration.

How Should Begging in India Be Addressed in India?

Enhance rehabilitation by providing shelters, fostering skill development, and integrating with welfare programs like PMAY and MGNREGA.
Using the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, strict implementation of anti-trafficking legislation to break up begging cartels via improved collaboration between law enforcement, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and child welfare groups.
Enhance beggars’ access to healthcare and sanitary facilities by integrating them into public health initiatives and setting up mobile clinics.
Encourage civil society involvement in rehabilitation and lessen stigma by fostering social awareness and integration.

Conclusion

Begging in India, 2025, remains a complex socio-economic challenge. While legal reforms, government schemes, and judicial activism offer hope, the path to a beggar-free India requires sustained effort, empathy, and innovation. The solution lies not in criminalizing poverty but in addressing its root causes—unemployment, exclusion, and lack of access to basic services. As India moves toward its centenary of independence, ensuring dignity for its most vulnerable citizens must be a national priority.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the legal status of begging in India now?
Not all parts of India treat begging as a criminal offense. In 2018, the Delhi High Court declared that the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act’s provisions that made begging illegal violated fundamental rights.
What are the major laws or policies relevant to begging in 2025?
1. BNSS, 2023 (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita): Executive magistrates now have the authority to impose orders under this new statute in cases of urgent annoyance or “apprehended danger,” including public nuisance. In several jurisdictions, begging and almsgiving are prohibited by municipal orders under the BNSS.
2. NHRC Advisory (2024): The National Human Rights Commission has recommended skill development, database development, relief efforts, and other steps to safeguard, rehabilitate, and improve the welfare of those who engage in begging.
How many people are estimated to be beggars or engaged in begging in India?
In India, there were approximately 413,670 vagrants and beggars as per the 2011 Census. There is no publicly published national census-level count from 2021 or later that provides a complete India age-gender distribution, despite more recent surveys and rescue efforts revealing youngsters in organized begging rings, etc.
What are the main challenges in addressing begging in India?
1. Lack of reliable, up‐to‐date data: age, gender, regional differences.
2. Poverty, homelessness, lack of social security nets force people into begging.
3. Organized begging / forced begging of children — law enforcement and social care difficulties.
4. Social stigma, exclusion, limited access to rehabilitation, education, healthcare.
5. Balancing between public order concerns (traffic, hygiene, nuisance) and rights of vulnerable people.

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