10 Best Government Schemes for Girl Child India 2024

Updated on Feb 15, 2024

A look into the top 10 central government schemes 2024 specially designed for girls in India to help uplift the cause of their education and good health.

The girl child has often been a victim of discrimination since time immemorial in India. Thanks to the patriarchal society, men have always been more favored when it comes to providing opportunities for growth. In an effort to restore equality among the two genders after ages, the Indian government is now making continual attempts at creating and offering equitable opportunities to both boy and girl child in India.

The various welfare schemes introduced by the government for the well-being of girls is an example of that effort. Here we look at the 10 best government schemes for girl child that promise equality and welfare both for our daughters.

10 Best Govt Schemes for Girl Child

Government Schemes for Girl Child in India – Detailed Overview

With a view to promoting the overall development of the girl child in the country, the government has come up with the following welfare schemes:

1. Balika Samridhi Yojana

The scheme offers limited opportunity for saving to the parents of a girl child (newborns only). Here are some of its key features:

• Only a few designated banks are permitted to process the application under the scheme. One can easily open an account at a bank near them.
• The scheme can be availed only for two daughters in a family that must be classified as Below Poverty Line.
• At the time of birth of a girl child, Rs. 500 is offered under the scheme to the parents. When the child starts attending school, an amount ranging between Rs. 300 and Rs. 1000 is offered as scholarship annually. This amount will be provided until the child graduates class X.

2. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

The scheme was initiated by the Central Government with an aim to save the girl child in India from gender-based abortion as well as to promote their educational cause. As such, the scheme was first launched particularly in those parts of the country where the sex ratio was incredibly low. It is primarily an educational program particularly meant for the girl child and therefore does not include any fund transfer to the parents.

Key features of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme:

• Ensuring the inclusion of the girl child in the country’s educational system
• Promoting the right of girls in property inheritance
• Preventing gender-based abortion in the country
• Promoting gender equality in India

3. CBSE Udaan Scheme:

This scheme is run by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) under the Ministry of Human Resources Development of the Government of India. This is one of those govt schemes for girl child that was initiated with the objective of increasing the enrolment of girl students in esteemed technical and engineering colleges in India. However, it is a must for girls to attend CBSE school to avail the following facilities under this scheme:

• Opportunities for mentoring and peer education among girls
• Continual progress record and observation of girl students
• Free course material and/or online resources for girl students, such as video literature in classes XI and XII

Eligibility Criteria for the Scheme:

• Only available for the girl students of CBSE-affiliated schools, studying in grades XI and XII in either Mathematics, Physics or Chemistry streams
• Selection of the girl child for the scheme is strictly based on merit
• Girls must be Indian citizens residing in India
• The annual family income of the student must be Rs. 600,000 or lower

4. Mukhyamantri Kanya Suraksha Yojana

As the name suggests, this scheme has been initiated by the Chief Minister of a state keeping the interests of the parents of a girl child in India. The scheme is run by the state government of Bihar offering Rs. 2000 to the parents upon the birth of a girl child. This reward can be received upon producing the birth certificate of the child.

Eligibility Criteria for the Scheme:

• Only permanent residents of Bihar are eligible to avail the benefits of this scheme
• The applicant can collect the reward by contacting the Gram Panchayat or Zila Parishad, or the office of the Collector
• They can also apply at an Anganwadi center near them
• The applicant must be classified as belonging to Below Poverty Line

5. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana

One of the most popular government schemes for girls, this has been designed to offer savings opportunities to the parents of a girl child. Under this program, the parents can create a trust to deposit savings for use in the future towards the education and marriage of their daughters. Some of its key features are:

• Only one account can be opened per child
• Up to two accounts for two children in the family are allowed to be opened under the scheme (exceptions permissible for twins and triplets)
• The parents or guardians of a girl child below 10 years old can open the account
• The account is accessible from any post office or bank branch in the country
• Part of the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao movement, furthering the cause of girl child education in the country
• A minimum of Rs. 250 must be deposited in the account and a maximum of Rs. 1,50,000 per annum
• The term of the account is 21 years from the date of opening of the account or up to the marriage of the girl child, whichever is earlier
• Maximum deposits allowed for a total of 15 years from the date of account opening
• Account can be closed before maturity in case of marriage of the girl child; however the girl must be 18 years old
• Partial withdrawal of up to 50% permissible after attainment of 18 years for the girl child

Also Read: Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Return Calculator

6. Ladli Lakshmi Yojana

Under the Ladli Lakshmi Scheme, which was inaugurated in the year 2007 by the Madhya Pradesh state government, monetary aid of INR 6000 is offered to the newborn girl child every year from birth to 5 years of age.  The yojana is initiated to promote the education of the girl child and provide them with a better future.

Key Features of Ladli Lakshmi Yojana:

• The scheme is available for parents of girl child who are non-taxpayers
• They must be permanent residents of Madhya Pradesh
• The scheme is available for people living under the poverty line
• The yojana is managed by the Government of Madhya Pradesh (Department of Women and Child Development)
• It aims to improve the sex ratio of girls and their education

Benefits of Ladli Lakshmi Yojana:

• The scheme offers a certificate of assurance of INR 1,43,000 to the parents of the girl child
• Out of that amount the scheme offers INR 2000 to a girl child when she reaches 6th standard in school
• It provides INR 4000 to the girl child when the child reaches 9th standard
• INR 6000 each is provided to the girl for her admission in standard 11th and 12th
• Further, the girl child receives an amount of INR 25,000 in two installments for pursuing her higher education or professional education
• Besides, INR 1 lakh is given to the girl child when she completes 21 years of age

7. Mazi kanya Bhagyashree Scheme

This scheme was initiated to improve girl children’s lives who belong to economically weaker sections of society by the state government of Maharashtra.  The plan was introduced on April 1, 2016, to better the statistics of girls in the state. 

Key Features of Mazi kanya Bhagyashree Scheme:

• The scheme is available for beneficiaries who are permanent residents of Maharashtra
• It offers monetary support by opening a joint bank account for the child and her mother where the amount is provided along with accidental insurance of INR 1 lakh
• The parents of the child willing to avail of the scheme must carry a government ID card like Aadhar, bank passbook, and other documents as required

Benefits of Mazi kanya Bhagyashree Scheme:

• Families of low marginal income groups can avail of this scheme for a maximum of two daughters
•  Under this scheme, the state government of Maharashtra offers INR 50,000 to a girl child
• If the parents have two daughters, the government divides the amount into two equal parts to give INR 25,000 to each girl
•  Third-girl child (if any) is not provided any benefits under this scheme

8. Delhi Ladli Scheme

This scheme offered by the state government of Delhi was initiated in January 2008 to support girl children belonging to weak economic backgrounds monetarily. It also aimed at registration of birth of girl child and to improve the sex ratio.

Key Features of Delhi Ladli Scheme:

• The scheme is implemented and managed by the state government of Delhi
• The fund manager of the scheme is the State Bank Life Insurance Co. Ltd. (SBIL)
• To avail of the scheme benefits, the girl child should be born in Delhi as shown in the birth certificate
• She must be getting her education in a government-recognized school in Delhi
• The scheme is limited to two daughters per family

Benefits of Delhi Ladli Scheme:

• The scheme provides security for the higher education of girls
• It benefits girls in their completing education and limits the number of school dropouts
• It benefits girls by supporting them against discrimination
• The scheme offers INR 11,000 (for a girl child born in a hospital) or INR 10,000 (for a girl child born at home)

Further, the scheme offers INR 5,000 each during five milestones reached by the girl at standards 1st, 6th, 9th, 11th, and 12th of her education

9. Nanda Devi Kanya Yojana

This scheme was initiated by the state government of Uttarakhand in 2009 to promote the overall well-being of girl children in Uttarakhand. It offers monetary aid to girl children born to parents living below the poverty line.

Key Features of Nanda Devi Kanya Yojana:

• The scheme is available to a maximum of 2 girls per family
• Under this scheme, INR 5,000 is provided in the name of the child and her mother in an FD
• The girl child is offered this amount together with the accrued interest once she is 18 years old and completes her senior secondary education
• The scheme is available for the permanent residents of Uttarakhand living below the poverty line

Benefits of Nanda Devi Kanya Yojana:

• The scheme benefits girl children by removing inequality
• Help eradicate cases of female foeticide in the state

10. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Girl Child Protection Scheme

This scheme is an initiative of the Tamil Nadu Government to enhance gender equality. Under this scheme, which was introduced in 1992, the girl child is financially supported directly through government spending.

Key Features of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Girl Child Protection Scheme:

• Under this scheme, the deposit amount is renewed at the end of every 5 years
• The scheme aims at the retention and enrolment of girls in school at least till higher secondary level
• It aims at encouraging parents to get the girl married not before 18 years of age

Benefits of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Girl Child Protection Scheme:

• Under this scheme, the government deposits INR 50,000 in the name of the girl child as FD limited to single girl child
• If there are two girls in a family, INR 25,000 is deposited for two daughters
• Annually an amount of INR 1800 is offered to the girl every year for her educational needs from the 6th year of the FD
• Once the child completes 18 years of age, she is offered the deposited amount, and the interest accrued after she completes her 10th standard

Below are the 5 Central Government Schemes for Girl Child

1. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
2. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
3. CBSE Udaan Scheme
4. National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education
5. Balika Samridhi Yojana

Below are the 7 State Government Schemes for Girl Child

1. Ladli Lakshmi Yojana
2. Mazi kanya Bhagyashree Scheme
3. Delhi Ladli Scheme
4. Mukhyamantri Kanya Suraksha Yojana
5. Mukhyamantri Rajshri Yojana
6. Nanda Devi Kanya Yojana
7. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Girl Child Protection Scheme

Best Central and State Govt. Schemes for Girl Child in India

We read above the various government schemes in India designed for the overall wellbeing of the girl child. Some of these schemes are run by the Central government while some are specifically launched in some states, operated by the respective state governments. Here we list out the top central and state government schemes for girl child in India for your easy reference:

Read More: New Born Baby Investment Plan 

Summary

The girl child in India has been a victim of discrimination and gender inequality, gender-based abortion being the most brutal. With the various welfare schemes initiated by the government, there is hope for a bright and secure future for girls in India. To know more about similar saving schemes and more opportunities for investment with guaranteed returns, visit PayBima.

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