One Stop Centre Scheme 2025 – Sakhi Scheme, Eligibility, Benefits & Services

One Stop Centre Scheme (OSC), popularly known as the Sakhi Scheme, is a flagship initiative launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) on 1st April 2015. The scheme was designed to provide integrated support and immediate assistance to women affected by violence, whether at home, workplace, or public spaces.

Before OSCs were established, survivors of violence had to navigate through police stations, hospitals, legal services, and shelter homes separately, which often caused unnecessary delays and trauma. The OSC Scheme addressed this gap by offering a single-window support system where women could access medical aid, legal counselling, psychological support, temporary shelter, and video conferencing facilities all under one roof.

The services under the One Stop Centre Scheme include emergency rescue, referral to hospitals for treatment, psycho-social counselling by trained professionals, legal aid for case filing and representation, temporary accommodation for up to five days, and video conferencing facilities to record statements for police and courts.

The scheme is open to all women, including minor girls, who are victims of violence irrespective of their age, caste, class, marital status, or region. Since FY 2022–23, the OSC has been integrated into the Sambal sub-scheme of Mission Shakti, strengthening India’s framework for women’s safety and empowerment.

With its survivor-centric approach, the One Stop Centre Scheme 2025 continues to provide timely, coordinated, and compassionate support, ensuring dignity and justice for women in distress.

One Stop Centre Scheme Objectives

The objectives of the OSC Scheme are:

• To provide emergency and non-emergency support services to women affected by violence in both public and private spaces.

• To ensure quick access to medical aid, legal counselling, psychological support, and temporary shelter.

• To create a survivor-centric, confidential, and secure environment for women in distress.

• To reduce the need for women to navigate multiple institutions by offering all essential services under one roof.

One Stop Centre Scheme Need

Violence against women remains a critical issue in India. Before OSCs, survivors had to approach police stations, hospitals, legal aid centres, and shelter homes separately, which often caused delay and trauma.

The OSC Scheme bridges this gap by offering a centralised, survivor-friendly, and accessible support system. It addresses:

• Domestic violence

• Sexual harassment & assault

• Human trafficking

• Honour-based violence

• Dowry-related harassment

• Acid attacks

• Witch-hunting cases

This scheme ensures timely intervention, coordination among agencies, and compassionate care for survivors of gender-based violence.

One Stop Centre Scheme Services

The scheme provides comprehensive services to women survivors of violence.

1. Emergency Response & Rescue – Coordination with police, ambulance (108), and hospitals for immediate support.

2. Medical Assistance – Referral to government/private hospitals for treatment following MoHFW protocols.

3. Psycho-Social Counselling – Confidential therapy by trained counsellors to help women recover emotionally.

4. Legal Aid & Counselling – Support from empanelled legal experts for case registration, representation, and court trials.

5. Temporary Shelter – Accommodation for up to 5 days for women and their children (boys up to 8 years allowed).

6. Video Conferencing Facility – Enables survivors to record statements remotely for police or court proceedings.

One Stop Centre Scheme Eligibility

The eligibility for OSC services is very inclusive:

One Stop Centre Scheme Benefits

The scheme offers multiple benefits to women in crisis:

• 24×7 Support & Rescue services.

• Immediate medical aid and access to healthcare facilities.

• Confidential counselling sessions with trained professionals.

• Free legal assistance for victims of violence.

• Short-term safe shelter with food, clothing, and hygiene support.

• Video conferencing facility for legal cases to ensure speedy justice.

• Linkage with long-term rehabilitation centres like Swadhar Greh for extended shelter.

One Stop Centre Scheme – How to Access

Women in distress can reach OSCs through multiple channels:

1. Direct Walk-in – Victim can personally visit the nearest OSC.

2. Helpline / Referral – Through police (112/181), hospitals, or NGOs.

3. Complaint by Others – A complaint can be filed on behalf of the survivor (priority given if filed by the victim herself).

4. Rescue Services – OSC teams coordinate with police & ambulance services for urgent intervention.

One Stop Centre Scheme Integration with Mission Shakti

From FY 2022–23, the OSC scheme is part of the Sambal sub-scheme under Mission Shakti, which combines various women-centric programs for better coordination and impact.

This integration ensures:

• • Better funding & monitoring of OSCs.

  • Holistic empowerment programs linked with protection services.

  • Stronger institutional framework for women’s safety and empowerment.