Written by:
Anoushka Pinto
For a while now, the situation of girl children in India has been shaped by a mix of cultural norms, economic difficulties, and gender-based differences. In the past, girls have encountered various challenges, like not having enough access to education and facing biases that affect their overall growth. Understanding the need to fix this, the Indian government has started a comprehensive effort to protect and empower girls. They’re doing this through various thoughtful programs in education, health, and socio-economic support, aiming to break down the barriers that hold back the development of these young minds.
Here are 5 key government schemes dedicated to the holistic development and empowerment of the girl child in India:
1. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSA)
Description
Features
Eligibility
How to apply
Further reading
Description
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) is a girl child-centric small savings scheme fostering financial planning for their education and marriage. Managed by the Ministry of Finance and operated by the Indian Post Office, it addresses gender bias by encouraging parental investment in their daughters’ future. Popular among parents, it combats sexism by helping families save for significant life events.
Features
- Administered by the Ministry of Finance and operated by the Post Office.
- Encourages savings for a girl child’s education and marriage to eliminate financial burdens.
- Allows only one account per girl child, with a family cap of two accounts and special provisions for twins or triplets.
Eligibility
- The girl child must be ten or younger.
- Account can be opened by a guardian or either parent.
- In the case of twins, a third account is permitted.
- Minimum investment is Rs 250, and the maximum is Rs 1.5 lakhs.
- Account matures at 21 years or on marriage after attaining 18 years.
How to apply
To enrol in the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana:
- Fill out the SSY Application Form, available at post offices, participating banks, or online.
- Submit the filled form and required KYC documents, with an initial deposit, to open the account.
Further reading
Read more about the SSA scheme, here.
2. Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP)
Description
Features
Eligibility
How to apply
Please note
Further reading
Description
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme was introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22, 2015, to combat gender-based issues and promote girl-child education. It addresses the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and empowers women. The scheme, collaboratively run by the Ministries of Women and Child Development, Health and Family Welfare, and Human Resource Development, is centrally funded, emphasising educational initiatives without immediate cash payments.
Features
- Aims to prevent gender-based abortions and ensure the safety, education, and inclusion of girl children.
- Challenges gender stereotypes, promotes equity, and supports property inheritance rights for girls.
- The interest rate is 8.1% per annum
Eligibility
To qualify for the BBBP scheme, the following criteria must be met:
- A household with a girl child under 10 years.
- Opening a Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSA) in any bank in the girl child’s name.
- The girl child must be born in India; non-resident Indians are ineligible.
How to apply
To enrol in BBBP benefits, follow these steps:
- Visit the bank or post office offering the scheme.
- Obtain and fill the BBBP application form, manually.
- Attach required documents: Birth Certificate, Parents’ ID proof, Address proof, and a passport-size photograph.
- Submit the completed form and documents to the bank or post office.
Please note
The account, opened in the girl child’s name, can be easily transferred between
banks or post offices.
Further reading
Read more about the BBBP scheme, here.
3. Balika Samriddhi Yojana (BSY)
Description
Features
Eligibility
How to apply
Further reading
Description
Balika Samriddhi Yojana, a scholarship initiative, provides financial aid to underprivileged girl children, aiming to uplift their social status, delay marriageable age, and boost school enrollment. Operating in both urban and rural areas, it offers a cash reward to qualifying beneficiaries upon the birth of a girl child, followed by an annual scholarship during her school years.
Features
- Scholarship program for economically disadvantaged girls.
- Cash reward upon the birth of a girl child.
- Annual scholarship during the girl’s school years, ranging from Rs. 300 to Rs. 1000.
- Funds withdrawn when the girl reaches 18.
Eligibility
- The girl child must belong to a Below Poverty Line (BPL) family.
- Girls born on or after August 15, 1997, are eligible.
- Maximum age for enrollment is ten years.
- Maximum of two daughters per family can participate.
- For urban areas, families living in slums or engaged in specific occupations are eligible.
How to apply
- Download the free application form from the Women & Child Development Department’s website.
- Fill out the application form with accurate details.
- Submit the form to open the account, ensuring it is from a BPL family.
- Necessary documents include the girl child’s birth certificate, parents’ identity proof, and address proof.
- The application can be obtained from Anganwadi Workers (rural) or Health Functionaries (urban).
Further reading
Read more about the BSY scheme, here.
4. Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY):
Description
Features
Eligibility
How to apply
Please note
Further reading
Description
Undernutrition remains prevalent among Indian women, with every third woman undernourished and every second woman anaemic. Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) addresses this issue, aiming to provide maternity benefits to pregnant women aged 19 and above. The program also targets women facing wage loss due to pregnancy, contributing to their well-being.
Features
- Cash incentive of ₹5000 provided in three instalments.
- Eligibility includes pregnant women aged 19 and above experiencing wage loss.
- Instalments linked to early registration, antenatal check-ups, and childbirth.
- Encourages proper nourishment during pregnancy.
- Implemented through Anganwadi Centers in coordination with relevant departments.
Eligibility
- Pregnant women and lactating mothers (excluding those in regular government employment)
- Employed with wage loss due to pregnancy.
- Minimum age of 19.
- Eligible pregnant women for the first child from January 1, 2017.
- Cases of miscarriage or stillbirth considered for future pregnancies.
How to apply
- Visit https://pmmvy.nic.in for self-beneficiary registration.
- Contact the nearest Anganwadi Worker or ASHA worker for portal registration.
- Ensure Aadhar-based payment, with Aadhar and bank account names matching.
- Keep necessary information for registration: Name, Aadhar Number, Mobile Number, Address, LMP date, ANC date, eligibility criteria, Child birth date, OPV, DPT, BCG, and Hep B.
Please note
- A beneficiary can claim benefits only once.
- In case of miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant mortality, eligibility for future pregnancies is subject to scheme conditions.
- Pregnant and lactating AWWs/AWHs/ASHAs are eligible based on scheme criteria.
Further reading
Read more about the PMMVY scheme, here.
5. Swadhar Greh Scheme
Description
Features
Eligibility
How to apply
Further reading
Description
The Swadhar Greh scheme aims to establish a supportive framework for women from low-income families, enhancing their living conditions. It ensures shelter, food, clothing, health, economic, and social security for women facing difficult circumstances. The scheme focuses on preventing women from being left unattended or abandoned, mitigating the risk of exploitation.
Features
- Temporary residential accommodation with essential provisions such as food, clothing, health, economic, and social security for women in distress.
- Special attention to prevent women from being unattended or abandoned, reducing the risk of exploitation.
- Offers legal assistance for their readjustment in family/society.
- Economically and emotionally rehabilitate women.
- Acts as a support system as per their requirements.
- Enables them to lead a life with dignity and conviction.
- Additional Swadhar Greh established in areas with a population of over 40 lakh or districts requiring extra support
Eligibility
- Women above 18 years of age in these specified categories:
- Deserted women without economic and social support.
- Survivors of natural calamities left homeless.
- Released women prisoners without family support.
- Victims of family tension, domestic violence, or discord without special protection.
- Trafficked women/girls rescued from exploitation.
- Women affected by HIV/AIDS without social or economic support.
- Different maximum stay periods for different categories (e.g. one year for domestic violence victims).
- Older women above 55 years may be accommodated for a maximum of 5 years.
- Boys up to 8 years and girls up to 18 years of age are permitted to stay in Swadhar Greh with their mothers.
How to apply
A woman affected by violence can access the scheme through various means:
- Direct application by the affected woman.
- Application through public-spirited citizens, relatives, friends, NGOs, or volunteers.
- Contacting the Women Helpline integrated with emergency response helplines.
- Accessing the directory website for helpline information based on location.
Further reading
Read more about the SG scheme, here.
As we navigate the diverse challenges, it becomes evident that the concerted efforts of these programs contribute significantly to reshaping the narrative around girlhood in India. Through education, healthcare, and socio-economic empowerment, these schemes collectively strive towards a society where every girl can unfold her potential, thereby enriching the nation as a whole. The journey toward gender equality and the holistic development of the girl child is ongoing, and these government schemes signify a vital step forward in that transformative odyssey.
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