Central government scheme · Ministry of Women and Child Development (Sambal sub-scheme of Mission Shakti)

Mission Shakti: One Stop Centres and Women Helpline 181

Also called OSC / WHL 181

Mission Shakti: One Stop Centres and Women Helpline 181 is run by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. It is for any woman facing violence or distress at home, at work or in public, or seeking information on schemes for women, as well as girls under 18 and anyone calling on a woman's behalf. Beneficiaries get free 24-hour calls, information, counselling, legal help, medical aid, police assistance, and temporary shelter. To apply, call 181 from any phone at any time, call 112 in an emergency, go directly to the One Stop Centre in your district, or be referred by police, a hospital or the helpline.

Written by AI from the official details below.

Who can apply for OSC / WHL 181

  • Any woman facing violence or distress at home, at work or in public, or seeking information on schemes for women.
  • Someone can call on her behalf; men can call about violence against women.
  • Girls under 18 are helped together with child-protection authorities under the JJ Act and POCSO Act.

OSC / WHL 181 benefits

  • Women Helpline 181: free, 24-hour calls; emergencies are passed to ERSS 112 (police, fire, ambulance).
  • Information on government schemes for women, referral to One Stop Centres, legal help and counselling.
  • Callers can stay anonymous and calls are confidential.
  • One Stop Centres: medical aid, legal aid, police assistance, psycho-social counselling and temporary shelter for up to 5 days.
  • A woman's children (girls of any age, boys up to 12) can stay with her at the Centre.

How to apply for OSC / WHL 181

  1. Call 181 from any phone, at any time. In an emergency, call 112.
  2. Or go directly to the One Stop Centre in your district (770 centres listed by the Ministry), or be referred there by police, a hospital or the helpline.

Where it applies

Every state and union territory. See what else applies near you

Checked

Checked against the sources below on 16 October 2026. Rules change, so confirm on the official site before you apply.

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