Top 5 Government Schemes For the Girl Child: India has improved the lives of girls significantly in the last several years. Nonetheless, issues like discrimination and gender bias still exist. The government has put in place a number of programs that deal with these concerns in an effort to close this gap and give girls more authority. Here are five of the most effective plans:
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)
Launched in 2015 with the slogan “Save Daughter, Educate Daughter,” BBBP is a national campaign that tackles the critical issues of gender-based sex selection and promotes girl child education. It aims to:
- Change societal attitudes: BBBP raises awareness about the importance of girls and the negative consequences of female feticide. It uses mass media campaigns, community outreach programs, and workshops to educate people.
- Promoting gender equality: Awareness is spread to reduce gender-based discrimination and provide equal opportunities to girls.
- Improve healthcare access: The scheme strengthens pre-conception and prenatal diagnostic techniques (PNDT) to prevent sex selection. It also focuses on ensuring proper medical care for pregnant women and girls.
- Promote girl child education: BBBP encourages parents to educate their daughters by promoting existing scholarship schemes and highlighting the benefits of education for girls.
Majority ideology lies in the success of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP).yojana have contributed to the reduction of skewed sex ratio in India and increase in girls’ enrollment in school.
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)
SSY, a small deposit program created especially for girls, was introduced in 2015. It encourages parents to save for their daughters’ future by providing them with tax advantages and enticing interest rates. The salient characteristics are as follows:
- Account opening: An SSY account can be opened for a girl child below 10 years of age in a post office or bank branch.
- Deposit: A minimum of Rs.250 and a maximum of Rs.1.5 lakh can be deposited annually in the account.
- Interest rate: SSY offers a competitive interest rate, currently set by the government.
- Maturity: The account matures 21 years after account opening or upon the girl’s marriage after attaining 18 years of age.
- Tax benefits: Deposits and interest earned on the account are exempt from income tax.
SSY provides financial security for girls, enabling them to pursue higher education, marriage, or entrepreneurship.
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Overview
| Yojana Name | Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) |
| Yojana For | India Girls |
| Benefits | The Government of India supports the initiative, which has an alluring interest rate of 8% p.a. (as of Q3 FY 2023–2024). |
| Minimum and Maximum Investment | Minimum Rs.250 per Year, and Maximum Rs.1.5 lakh per year |
| Benefits Amount | Rs.46,000 to 69 lakh upto |
| Official Website | https://www.india.gov.in/sukanya-samriddhi-yojna |
National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education (NSIGSE)
Launched in 2008, NSIGSE aims to improve the retention and completion rates of girls in secondary education (grades 9 and 10). It provides a one-time cash incentive of Rs.5000 to a girl child who successfully completes class 8 and enrolls in class 9.
This scheme tackles the issue of girls dropping out due to financial constraints. The incentive amount helps cover education-related expenses, motivating families to prioritize their daughters’ schooling.
| Yojana Name | National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education (NSIGSE) |
| Financial help | Under the scheme, an amount of ₹ 3000 is deposited in the name of eligible girls as a fixed deposit in a government bank or post office. |
| Interest Rate | Yes |
| withdrawal of funds | A girl can withdraw this amount after completing 18 years of age and passing 10th class examination. |
| Official Website | https://dsel.education.gov.in/nsigse |
CBSE Udaan Scheme
This centrally sponsored scheme by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) focuses on the holistic development of girls in government schools affiliated with CBSE. It offers scholarships and support for various activities:
- Academic Scholarships: Meritorious girls from economically disadvantaged families are provided financial assistance to pursue higher education.
- Life Skills Training: Workshops and programs equip girls with life skills like communication, problem-solving, and leadership.
- Career Counseling: The scheme offers career guidance and mentorship to help girls explore educational and professional opportunities.
CBSE Udaan empowers girls by not only supporting their academic journey but also preparing them for a bright future.
| Yojana Name | CBSE Udaan Scheme |
| Launched | in the year 2014 |
| Beneficiaries | Specifically CBSE Girl Students |
| Assistance amount | Study Material and Free College Admission |
| Official Website | https://www.cbse.gov.in/ |
State-Specific Schemes
In addition to central government initiatives, many states have implemented their own schemes tailored to address specific regional needs. Here are a few examples:
- Ladli Lakshmi Yojana (Madhya Pradesh): Provides financial assistance at various stages of a girl’s life, promoting education and well-being.
- Kanyashree Scheme (West Bengal): Offers conditional cash transfers to encourage girls from underprivileged families to continue their education.
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Girl Child Protection Scheme: Provides financial support and medical insurance to girl children who have lost their parents or guardians.
These state-specific schemes complement central government initiatives, ensuring a wider reach and addressing local challenges.
Conclusion
It is admirable that the Indian government is working to empower girls through a number of initiatives. These programs offer females financial stability, encourage education, and foster an atmosphere that is more conducive to their success. To guarantee successful implementation and handle any new problems, ongoing monitoring and assessment are essential. Community involvement is also very important. These programmes have the potential to have a long-lasting effect on the lives of Indian girls by increasing knowledge and altering societal attitudes.