India has consistently recognised the importance of empowering and supporting girl children through various government schemes for girl child. These schemes aim to address social disparities, promote gender equality, and provide financial and educational opportunities to ensure the holistic development of girls. Here, we explore a detailed list of government schemes for girl children and their unique benefits.
The girl child is often at a disadvantage in many parts of the country due to deep-rooted cultural and societal biases. Government schemes have been designed to address these disparities and bring girls to the forefront of development. Here’s why they are essential:
The schemes help bridge the gender gap by addressing issues such as discrimination, feticide, and inequality in access to resources.
By introducing savings plans and cash incentives, these government schemes for girl child encourage families to save for their daughters' future.
Scholarships and financial support play a crucial role in reducing dropout rates and ensuring girls complete their education.
Providing resources and opportunities to help girls realise their potential and secure their futures.
Creating awareness and driving societal change to eliminate harmful practices and ensure equal opportunities for girls.
The impact of these initiatives is not just limited to the individual but also contributes to the socio-economic development of the nation. An educated and empowered girl child is better equipped to contribute positively to her community, breaking cycles of poverty and inequality.
Launched in 2015, this flagship scheme by the Government of India focuses on eliminating gender-based abortions and promoting the education and welfare of girl children.
Key Objectives:
Prevent female feticide and improve the sex ratio.
Ensure the survival, protection, and education of girl children.
Promote gender equity and empowerment.
Eligibility Criteria:
Families with girl children under 10 years.
Must open a Sukanya Samriddhi Account in the name of the girl child.
This program involves joint efforts by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the Ministry of Education to ensure its effectiveness across various regions of the country.
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Managed by the Central Board of Secondary Education, this initiative aims to encourage girls to pursue technical and engineering education by offering free study materials, mentorship, and career guidance.
Features:
Free online resources and study material for Classes 11 and 12.
Career counselling and motivational sessions.
Peer learning platforms and toll-free study assistance.
Eligibility Criteria:
Minimum 70% in Class 10 with 80% in Science and Mathematics.
Must belong to disadvantaged communities.
This scheme addresses the underrepresentation of women in STEM fields and provides the necessary support to help girls excel in these domains.
This govt scheme for girl child offers financial support from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families to improve their social and educational status.
Benefits:
A one-time cash reward at birth.
Annual scholarships range from ₹300 to ₹1,000 until Class 10.
Eligibility Criteria:
The girl child must be born on or after August 15, 1997.
Belong to a BPL family.
This initiative encourages families to invest in their daughters’ futures, reducing the financial burden associated with their upbringing and education.
A small deposit savings scheme designed for girl children to support their education and marriage expenses.
Features:
Offers high interest rates, significantly higher than regular savings accounts.
Provides tax benefits under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.
The account can be opened in any post office or authorised bank.
Eligibility Criteria:
The girl child must be below 10 years of age.
Maximum two accounts per family.
This scheme encourages long-term financial planning, ensuring that families can meet significant expenses in the future, such as higher education or marriage.
Initiated by the Haryana Government, these schemes aim to improve the sex ratio and provide financial incentives to families with girl children.
Benefits:
Annual payment of ₹5,000 for five years.
A lump sum amount of ₹1 lakh upon the maturity of the scheme.
Eligibility Criteria:
Parents must adhere to the scheme guidelines.
These initiatives reflect a proactive approach by state governments to address gender imbalances and promote the welfare of girl children.
This scheme encourages girls from disadvantaged communities to complete secondary education.
Benefits:
A fixed deposit of ₹3,000 can be withdrawn at 18 years of age upon completing Class 10.
Eligibility Criteria:
Must be unmarried and below 16 years old.
Must belong to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), or Below Poverty Line (BPL) categories.
By incentivising education, this girls scheme addresses dropout rates and ensures girls receive the skills needed to lead independent lives.
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This scheme promotes education and discourages early marriage by providing financial incentives at different stages of a girl’s education.
Eligibility Criteria:
Parents must belong to Madhya Pradesh and adhere to the education and marriage conditions.
Benefits:
Financial incentives for education milestones.
A lump sum of ₹1 lakh for higher education or marriage at 18 years.
This initiative offers financial aid and health insurance for girl children born to low-income families.
Benefits:
Annual scholarships range from ₹300 to ₹1,000.
Health insurance coverage up to ₹25,000 per year.
Eligibility Criteria:
Applicable to families below the poverty line.
Implemented by the Maharashtra Government, this scheme supports the education and upbringing of girls from economically weaker sections.
Benefits:
Annual financial aid increases with educational milestones.
A lump sum of ₹1 lakh for higher education or marriage at 18 years.
This program secures financial deposits in the names of girl children to prevent gender-based discrimination and promote welfare.
Benefits:
Fixed deposits of ₹50,000 for one girl child.
₹25,000 for each girl child in families with two daughters.
This scheme focuses on the welfare of girls right from birth, offering financial incentives to families for the proper upbringing of their daughters.
Benefits:
Initial financial support at birth.
A maturity amount upon completing 18 years, provided the girl is unmarried and pursuing education.
Eligibility:
Limited to families residing in Haryana.
Aimed at eradicating child marriages and ensuring the education of girl children, this scheme provides conditional cash transfers to families.
Benefits:
Financial incentives for birth registration, immunisation, and school attendance.
Additional cash for completing education milestones.
Eligibility:
Focused on economically weaker sections.
1. Higher Interest Rates
These schemes often offer significantly higher interest rates compared to regular savings accounts or fixed deposits, ensuring better returns for long-term savings.
2. Tax Savings
Most of these schemes qualify for tax exemptions under various sections of the Income Tax Act, making them a financially prudent choice for families.
3. Clear Terms and Conditions
With transparent guidelines, these schemes ensure that funds are allocated for the intended purposes of education, marriage, or welfare.
4. Encouragement of Social Change
By making girl child welfare a priority, these schemes help address societal issues such as early marriage, education disparity, and gender bias.
5. Long-Term Financial Security
These initiatives provide a robust financial foundation, helping families secure their daughters’ futures while fostering a culture of savings.
6. Promoting Education and Employment
The emphasis on education and skill development equips girls with the tools they need to achieve economic independence.
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The government schemes for girl child in India are not merely financial tools; they represent a collective effort to empower the girl child and create a more inclusive society. From savings plans like Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana to education-focused programs like CBSE Udaan, these initiatives are steps toward ensuring a brighter future for girls.
Families investing in these schemes contribute not just to their daughters’ futures but also to the progress of the nation as a whole. By participating in these initiatives, you are making a powerful statement about your commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of girls. Let’s join hands in building a stronger, better India by ensuring every girl child has the opportunity to shine.
Take the first step today and explore these girl child welfare schemes to secure a prosperous tomorrow for your daughter!