According to the 2011 Census, the pan-India sex ratio was 943 females for every 1,000 males. Taking heed of this disparity, the Indian government has launched several social welfare initiatives to protect the girl child. Several Indian government schemes address the challenges faced by girls in areas like education, healthcare, and overall development. These programs aim to promote gender equality and help women by addressing historical and ongoing social inequalities.
The Indian government offers various programs to support women's financial security and educational opportunities. These programs range from small-savings options like Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana and Mahila Samman Savings Certificate scheme to educational assistance schemes like the CBSE Udaan scheme.
10 popular government schemes for the girl child in India
1. Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao
The Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) is a central government scheme launched in 2015. The primary aim of the campaign is to address social issues like gender-based abortions and low sex ratios while also promoting education and empowerment of the girl child.
Key features of the scheme
- Facilitate discussions on the falling Child Sex Ratio (CSR) to raise awareness.
- Eradicating selective gender-based abortions.
- Challenging the prevalent gender stereotypes and promoting gender equality.
- Address barriers like child marriage, harassment, and gender-based violence.
- Encourage community engagement for the well-being and development of the girl child.
- Ensuring equal access to education for girls and fostering inclusive learning environments.
2. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) is a government-backed savings scheme launched under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative. This program encourages parents of girls under 10 to save for their future education and marriage expenses.
Key features of the scheme
- Like the SCSS scheme, the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is offered through post offices and authorised banks.
- The SSY account can be opened by parents or guardians for a girl child any time from birth until she turns 10.
- SSY offers higher interest rates than traditional savings modes like bank fixed deposit. Currently, SSY interest rate stands at 8.2% (Q1 FY 2024-25).
- Contributions qualify for tax deduction u/s 80(C).
- Parents/guardians can start planning for the future of the girl child with a nominal investment of Rs. 250.
- The maturity tenure is 21 years from the date of account opening or the marriage of the child girl (whichever is earlier).
3. Balika Samriddhi Yojana
The Balika Samriddhi Yojana is another government scheme for girls launched in 1997. This scheme offers financial assistance to girl children from families below the poverty line.
Key features of the scheme
- Girl children born on or after August 15th, 1997, qualify for assistance under the scheme.
- Financial assistance of Rs. 500 is paid to the parents on the birth of a girl child.
- Annual scholarship of Rs. 300 to Rs. 1,000 is awarded to the girl child until she completes the 10th grade.
- Up to two daughters from the same household can apply for the scheme.
4. CBSE Udaan Scheme
The CBSE Udaan Scheme is an education-focused government scheme for girl child. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Ministry of Human Resource Development collaborated to launch this scheme and promote the enrolment of female students in prestigious engineering and technical institutions.
Key features of the scheme
- Free online course material for girls studying in the 11th and 12th grades.
- Peer learning and mentoring opportunities for meritorious students.
- Virtual weekend class and study assistance.
- Open to female students enrolled in the physics, chemistry, and mathematics streams.
- Selection is based on merit with minimum score requirements.
5. National Scheme for Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education
The National Scheme of Incentives to Girls for Secondary Education (NSIGSE), launched in 2008 by the Department of Education & Literacy, is a nationwide program that aims to increase secondary school enrolment rates for girls, particularly those from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) communities, and reduce dropout rates.
Key features of the scheme
- Once selected, Rs. 3,000 will be deposited into an FD account in the name of the girl child.
- The maturity amount can be withdrawn once she reaches 18 years of age and has passed her 10th grade.
- The applicant must have passed her class 8th exam and should be under the age of 16 years to apply for this scheme.
6. Mukhyamantri Kanya Suraksha Yojana
Introduced by the Bihar state government in 2007, this is a government scheme for girls that rewards parents upon the birth of a girl child.
Key features of the scheme
- Rewards parents with Rs. 2,000 upon the birth of a girl child.
- Parents need to submit a copy of the child’s birth certificate to claim the reward.
- Available to all permanent residents of Bihar who belong to the BPL category.
7. Ladli Lakshmi Yojana
The Ladli Lakshmi Yojana, introduced by the Madhya Pradesh state government in 2007, aims to improve the lives of girls from underprivileged backgrounds.
Key feature of the scheme
- Under the scheme, Rs. 6,000 is deposited to the Ladli Lakshmi Fund for 5 consecutive years starting from the time of registration.
- The scheme provides financial assistance in stages upon enrolment in grades 6, 9, 11, and 12.
- The program additionally offers a monthly stipend of Rs. 200 during secondary education.
- Additionally, Rs. 1 lakh will be paid when the girl child turns 21 and appears for her 12th exam, provided she is not married before the age of 18.
8. Majhi Kanya Bhagyashree Scheme
The Maharashtra state government launched this program to provide financial support for the education of girls from economically underprivileged backgrounds.
Key features of the scheme
- Permanent residents of Maharashtra can benefit from this scheme.
- Under the scheme, a joint account is opened with an accidental insurance of Rs. 1 lakh and an overdraft of Rs. 5,000.
- Rs. 50,000 is paid to the parents of a girl child who wish to undergo sterilisation. If sterilisation is done after the birth of two daughters, Rs. 25,000 is given in the name of each daughter.
- These funds can be used to finance the education of the girl child.
9. Nanda Devi Kanya Yojana
The Nanda Devi Kanya Yojana is a government program in Uttarakhand that supports the well-being of girl children. Launched in 2009, the scheme aims to promote the well-being of the girl child in the state by extending financial support to families below the poverty line.
Key features of the scheme
- A fixed deposit of Rs. 5,000 is opened in the name of the girl child.
- The principal sum plus accrued interest is paid to the girl child after she turns 18 and completes her higher education.
- A maximum of 2 daughters per family can avail of this benefit.
10. Mukhyamantri Rajshri Yojana
Introduced in 2008 by the Rajasthan government, the Mukhyamantri Rajshri Yojana offers financial incentives to parents of girl children. This program aims to improve girls' education and well-being, while tackling social issues like child mortality and child marriage.
Key features of the scheme
- Total financial aid of Rs. 50,000 is paid from the birth of the child until her graduation.
- Rs. 2,500 is paid to the mother on the birth of a girl child.
- To encourage timely vaccinations, the program offers a one-time payment of Rs. 2,500 when the girl turns one year old, provided all immunizations are completed.
- Rs. 4,000 upon enrolment in a public school
- Rs. 5,000 when she enters class 6
- Rs. 11,000 upon entering class 11.
Conclusion
Government schemes for the girl child in India play a vital role in promoting their education, empowerment, and well-being. These initiatives, both at the central and state levels, provide crucial financial aid to families with girl children, providing support for the well-being and education of the girl child. These initiatives simultaneously help raise awareness of gender issues, helping create a more inclusive society.
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