'Jiyo Parsi' scheme portal to stop population decline

Social Issues Minorities

15-Aug-24

Context: Recently, the Minister for Minority Affairs launched the Jiyo Parsi Scheme portal, a Central Sector Scheme to arrest the population decline of the Parsi community in India.

Jiyo Parsi Scheme

The Jiyo Parsi Scheme was introduced by Ministry of Minority Affairs in 2013.
The objective of the scheme is to reverse thedeclining trend of the Parsi population by adopting scientific protocols and structured interventions to stabilize their population in India.
The scheme has three components, Medical Assistance, Advocacy & Health of Community:

Medical Component: financial assistance is provided to Parsi Couples for medical treatment under standard medial protocol
Health of Community Component: financial assistance is provided to Parsi Couples for child care and assistance of elderly people
Advocacy Component: advocacy/outreach programmes are conducted to generate awareness among the Parsi Population.

The scheme is applicable to all couples, irrespective of their financial status.

About the portal

The portal will enable Parsi couples to apply online under the scheme.
The beneficiaries and applicants will be able to check the status of their application and will be able to receive the financial assistance online through Direct Benefit Transfer mode.
Since inception in 2013-14, the scheme has supported more than 400 Parsi children.

About Parsi community

The Parsis are an ethnoreligious group that follow Zoroastrianism, founded by Zoroaster in 6th century BC in modern Iran.
In India, they are known as ‘Parsis’ or ‘one from Persia’.
Zoroastrianism is a monotheistic religion that follows one God called Ahura Mazda.
The holy scripture in Zoroastrianism is called Avesta.
Navroz the Iranian New Year is celebrated in India by the Parsi community.
Zoroastrians (Parsis) are among the six religious communities notified as minority communities by the Union Government.