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10 Government Schemes For Girls In India
Every girl deserves the opportunity to grow up with dignity, education, and the promise of a bright future. The Government of India has introduced various schemes that empower girls, ensuring they have the support and resources needed to succeed. These government schemes for girls in India are designed to promote education, financial stability, and overall well-being, helping girls from all walks of life to thrive.
Central Government Schemes for Girl Child
The central government has initiated several schemes to improve girls' lives across the nation. These programmes are designed to offer education, financial aid, and security, ensuring that no girl is left behind.
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme is a flagship initiative of the Indian government aimed at addressing the declining child sex ratio and ensuring the survival and protection of the girl child. This programme focuses on spreading awareness about the importance of girls, encouraging education for girls, and preventing female foeticide.
It is not a financial aid scheme but an advocacy programme that works at the grassroots level to bring about attitudinal changes. The scheme has had a significant impact by improving school enrolment rates and changing community perceptions about the value of daughters.
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) is one of the most popular government schemes for girls in India. This scheme was launched as part of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign to encourage parents to save for their daughter's future. Under this scheme, parents can open an SSY account for their girl child in any post office or authorised bank before she turns 10. The account matures when the girl reaches 21 or when she gets married after the age of 18.
The interest rates for SSY accounts are typically higher than standard savings accounts, and the contributions are eligible for tax deductions under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. This scheme provides a long-term investment opportunity and financial security for the girl child.
Balika Samridhi Yojana
The Balika Samridhi Yojana (BSY) is one of the important government schemes for girls in India designed to empower them. Established in 1997, it aims to address the socioeconomic disparities faced by girls from families below the poverty line. By providing financial assistance, the BSY seeks to reduce dropout rates and encourage girls to pursue education beyond primary school.
Upon the birth of a girl child, the scheme offers a one-time payment of ₹500. This initial contribution serves as seed money to foster her educational journey. Subsequently, the BSY provides annual scholarships to support the girl's education until she completes secondary school. These scholarships alleviate the financial burden on families, enabling them to invest in their daughters' future. The funds allocated under the BSY are deposited in a savings account in the girl's name. This ensures she has a financial cushion to draw upon when she reaches adulthood. By providing access to these funds at the age of 18, the BSY empowers girls to make informed decisions about their future, whether it involves higher education, vocational training, or starting a business.
In addition to its financial benefits, the BSY plays a crucial role in promoting gender equality. By investing in girls' education, the scheme challenges traditional gender roles and empowers them to become self-sufficient individuals. The BSY's focus on education not only improves the lives of individual girls but also contributes to the overall development of India.
CBSE Udaan Scheme
The CBSE Udaan Scheme is a unique initiative aimed at increasing the enrolment of female students in prestigious engineering institutions like IITs and NITs. This scheme provides free online resources, tutorials, and mentorship to girl students in classes 11 and 12 who are studying science subjects.
The main goal is to encourage girls to pursue careers in engineering and science fields, where female participation has traditionally been low. The scheme supports girls with study materials, continuous assessments, and peer interaction to prepare for competitive exams. The CBSE Udaan Scheme has been instrumental in closing the gender gap in higher education, especially in STEM fields, and set a unique yardstick amongst government schemes for girls in India.
National Scheme of Incentives to Girls for Secondary Education
The National Scheme of Incentives to Girls for Secondary Education (NSIGSE) is another key initiative from the central government. This scheme focuses on increasing the enrolment of girls in secondary education, particularly those belonging to marginalised communities. Under this programme, girls from scheduled castes (SC) and scheduled tribes (ST) who pass the eighth standard are provided with a financial incentive to continue their education until they complete their tenth standard.
State Government Initiatives for Girl Child
In addition to central schemes, various state governments have also introduced programmes aimed at improving the lives of girl children. These initiatives provide financial, educational, and social support to ensure girls can access opportunities and resources.
Mukhyamantri Kanya Suraksha Yojana
The Mukhyamantri Kanya Suraksha Yojana is a Bihar state government scheme for girls in India initiative that aims to protect and empower the girl child. This scheme offers a financial benefit of ₹2,000 to every girl born into families below the poverty line. The amount is deposited in a post office or bank account in the girl’s name and can be withdrawn once she turns 18, provided she is unmarried. This scheme not only promotes financial security for the girl child but also aims to prevent early marriages.
The Mukhyamantri Kanya Suraksha Yojana, one of the pioneering government schemes for girls in India, ensures that girls are financially independent and have the means to pursue education and career opportunities.
Ladli Lakshmi Yojana
The Ladli Lakshmi Yojana, initiated by the Madhya Pradesh government, is one of the most well-known government schemes for girls in India. Under this programme, the state government purchases National Savings Certificates worth ₹6,000 annually for five years after the birth of a girl child. The girl receives a lump sum amount of ₹1 lakh when she turns 21, provided she completes her education and remains unmarried until 18.
This scheme promotes education and delays early marriages, ensuring girls are empowered and financially secure as they grow older. The benefits make this one of the most socially conscious government schemes for girls in India.
Delhi Ladli Scheme
The Delhi Ladli Scheme is a state-sponsored initiative that encourages girls' education and prevents female foeticide. Under this scheme, financial assistance is provided at various stages of a girl's education, from her birth to the completion of her schooling.
The government deposits ₹11,000 for girls born in a hospital and ₹10,000 for girls admitted to schools. Additional amounts are deposited as she progresses through her schooling years, and the total is released when she reaches the age of 18, provided she has completed her education. The Delhi Ladli Scheme promotes long-term financial stability and girls' education in the capital city, giving it a unique local flavour among government schemes for girls in India.
Mukhyamantri Rajshri Yojana
The Mukhyamantri Rajshri Yojana, initiated by the Rajasthan government, provides substantial financial incentives to families with girl children. This scheme is designed to enhance the social and economic status of girls by promoting their education and healthcare. It includes financial support for schooling, health check-ups, and other essential needs, aiming to reduce dropout rates and ensure better overall development.
By incentivising families to invest in their daughters’ futures, the Yojana seeks to create a supportive environment that fosters educational and personal growth. The initiative also includes rewards for maintaining regular school attendance and achieving academic milestones, thereby encouraging continuous progress and success for girls in Rajasthan.
Mazi Kanya Bhagyashree Scheme
The Mazi Kanya Bhagyashree Scheme is an important scheme for girls in India that the Maharashtra state government launched. This scheme provides financial incentives to families to prevent female foeticide and improve girls' status in society.
Under this scheme, families with one or two daughters are eligible for financial benefits. The government deposits a sum of ₹50,000 in the name of the girl child, which can be accessed when she turns 18, provided she has completed her education and remains unmarried. The Mazi Kanya Bhagyashree Scheme encourages parents to invest in their daughters’ future and ensures that girls receive the education and resources they deserve.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Girl Child Protection Scheme
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Girl Child Protection Scheme is a state-run programme designed to provide financial security to girls from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Under this scheme, parents of girl children can receive a fixed deposit in the girl’s name, which matures when she turns 18.
The scheme also provides educational support, ensuring that girls have the financial means to complete their schooling. This government scheme for girls in India spearheads the welfare of the girl child, promoting education and reducing dropout rates among girls in Tamil Nadu.
Nanda Devi Kanya Yojana
The Nanda Devi Kanya Yojana is a unique initiative introduced by the Uttarakhand government to support the education and well-being of girls in the state. Under this scheme, girls born in families living below the poverty line are provided with a fixed deposit of ₹5,000, which can be accessed when they turn 18.
The objective of this scheme is to ensure that girls have financial support when they reach adulthood, allowing them to pursue higher education or start a career. The Nanda Devi Kanya Yojana is one of the many state-level government schemes for girls in India to improve the social and economic status of girls in underprivileged families.
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