Top 5 Girl Child Government Schemes in India

Lifestyle
December 28, 2024

India has made significant strides in prioritizing the empowerment of the girl child, recognizing them as pivotal contributors to the nation’s future. Through various innovative policies and schemes, the government aims to address issues like gender inequality, financial insecurity, and lack of educational opportunities for girls. In this blog, we will delve deeply into the Top 5 Girl Child Government Schemes in India in 2024, highlighting their benefits and how they can transform lives.

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)

Launched in January 2015, the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative remains one of the flagship programs aimed at improving the child sex ratio, ensuring education for girls, and addressing issues related to their safety and empowerment. With the slogan “Save the Girl Child, Educate the Girl Child,” this scheme has gained significant traction over the years and remains a core part of the Top 5 Girl Child Government Schemes in India.

Key Features:

Focuses on advocacy campaigns and community mobilization to improve attitudes toward the girl child.
Provides financial aid to support girls’ education and reduce dropout rates.
Establishes “one-stop crisis centers” to provide medical, legal, and psychological support to victims of violence.

Recent Updates for 2024:

Strengthened monitoring at the district level to ensure the effective implementation of initiatives.
Increased budgetary allocation for media campaigns and grassroots programs in states with a high gender disparity.

Eligibility: This scheme targets all families, especially those residing in districts with adverse child sex ratios. The campaign is inclusive and supports both urban and rural households.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)

The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is a small savings scheme tailored exclusively for parents of girl children, ensuring their financial security for higher education and marriage expenses. It stands as a prominent program among the Top 5 Girl Child Government Schemes in India due to its tax-free returns and long-term benefits.

Key Features:

Parents can open an SSY account for a girl child under 10 years of age in a post office or authorized bank branch.
Offers one of the highest interest rates (approximately 7.6% in 2024) among government-backed small savings schemes.
Requires a minimum deposit of Rs. 250 annually, with a maximum limit of Rs. 1.5 lakh per year.
Maturity period of 21 years from the date of opening, with partial withdrawal permitted after the girl turns 18 for education expenses.

Tax Benefits:

Contributions qualify for tax exemption under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.
Interest earned and maturity proceeds are fully tax-free.

Eligibility: Parents or legal guardians can open up to two accounts for girls in a single family, with exceptions in the case of twins or triplets.

Ladli Scheme

Implemented by state governments such as Haryana and Delhi, the Ladli Scheme focuses on enhancing the status of the girl child in society by providing financial incentives and promoting education. It is a vital inclusion in the Top 5 Girl Child Government Schemes in India for its unique approach to supporting families at critical milestones in a girl’s life.

Key Features:

Provides financial assistance at crucial life milestones, such as birth, school enrollment, and higher education.
Encourages families to invest in their daughter’s future by ensuring financial stability.
Funds are transferred directly to beneficiaries via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), eliminating intermediaries and delays.

State-Specific Benefits:

In Haryana, beneficiaries receive periodic financial support leading up to adulthood.
Delhi’s version of the scheme offers education scholarships and fixed deposits for girls born to economically weaker families.

Eligibility: Families with a low income, adhering to the two-child norm, are eligible to avail of benefits. Daughters born after January 1, 2008, are prioritized under certain schemes.

Kanya Shiksha Pravesh Utsav

The Kanya Shiksha Pravesh Utsav is a nationwide campaign launched to re-enroll out-of-school girls, particularly those who dropped out due to social or financial barriers. Being highly impactful in terms of education accessibility, it stands among the Top 5 Girl Child Government Schemes in India of 2024.

Key Features:

Conducts extensive community-based drives to identify and reintegrate out-of-school girls aged 6 to 14 years.
Provides free textbooks, uniforms, scholarships, and mid-day meals to encourage enrollment and retention.
Partners with NGOs and local governance bodies to monitor and track the progress of enrolled girls.

Recent Initiatives for 2024:

Integration with the digital learning ecosystem to provide online resources and e-learning kits.
Specialized bridge courses to help dropouts catch up academically.

Eligibility: Open to girls who have dropped out of school or never enrolled, particularly from socio-economically disadvantaged communities.

CBSE Udaan Scheme

The CBSE Udaan Scheme, implemented under the Ministry of Education, focuses on providing quality education and mentorship to girls aspiring to excel in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. Its impactful nature places it among the Top 5 Girl Child Government Schemes in India designed to bridge the gender gap in competitive exams and technical education.

Key Features:

Offers free online resources, tutorials, and academic support for Class 11 and 12 students.
Provides financial assistance for study materials and devices, such as tablets or laptops, to aid in their preparation.
Regular assessments, practice questions, and one-on-one doubt-solving sessions.

Performance Tracking:

Regularly monitors students’ progress to identify and address challenges in their academic journey.
Helps build confidence and a growth mindset through counseling sessions.

Eligibility: Female students studying in Class 11 and 12 from CBSE-affiliated schools with a commendable academic record. Families with an annual income of less than Rs. 6 lakh are given priority.

Conclusion

The Government of India’s continuous focus on empowering girls reflects its commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable society. The Top 5 Girl Child Government Schemes in India collectively address critical challenges such as financial constraints, societal prejudices, and educational barriers that hinder the growth of the girl child.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to take full advantage of these initiatives to ensure their daughters receive the opportunities they deserve. From securing a stable financial future with Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana to gaining quality education through programs like CBSE Udaan and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, these schemes pave the way for a brighter, more empowered India.

Invest in your daughter’s future today, and join the movement towards an equal and prosperous society.