Government Girl Child Schemes You Should Know About

Gender equality is still a work in progress in India, however, the government has implemented various schemes and initiatives to build an environment that is safe, supportive, and full of opportunities for girl children. This blog highlights two such programs that have made a substantial impact. Read to know. 

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme was launched by the Prime Minister of India on 22nd January 2015 to promote girls’ education, gender equality, and girl-child development. This includes financial initiatives and community engagement programs that aim at fostering an environment that is both inclusive and supports girls.

The initiative is jointly implemented by the Ministry of Women & Child Development (MoWCD), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) and Ministry of Education (MoE).

Objectives Of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

BBBP aims to ensure the overall well-being of female children through initiatives focused on 

• Increasing Child Sex Ratio (CSR)

• Improving Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB)

• Celebrating the birth of female children in India

• Protecting and safeguarding the lives of female children in India

• Foster more educational opportunities for female children

• Raise awareness about the concept and importance of gender equality to combat gender bias

• Optimize the effectiveness of existing welfare programs for women

• Enforcing strict anti-dowry laws against related crimes

• Lowering incidences of child marriages by making marriage registration mandatory

Sukanya Samridhi Yojana (SSY)

Sukanya Samridhi Yojana is an initiative launched under the Beti Padhao Beti Bachao scheme to financially support a girl's educational pursuits and marriage expenses. You can deposit a minimum amount of Rs 1000 and a maximum of Rs 1,50,000 and avail of benefits like a high interest rate, reduced income tax liability, and long-term savings with a lock-in period. Upon maturity, the balance along with interest will be given to the policyholder and you will continue to receive the benefits even after the scheme reaches maturity.

Eligibility Criteria For Beti Padhao Beti Bachao

There are certain eligibility criteria that you need to fulfill in order to be eligible for the BBBP scheme.

• The girl child should not be more than 10 years old

• The girl child should be an Indian resident

• The girl child should have an Aadhaar Number

• The scheme covers 2 girl children per family ( if you have twins or triplets, you may be eligible for more)

Note: The scheme is not applicable to NRIs 

Eligibility Criteria For Sukanya Samridhi Yojana

• The Sukanya Samriddhi Account should be in the name of the girl child.

• Only one account is allowed per girl child.

• Only two girl children are covered ( if you have twins or triplets, you may be eligible for more).

Documents Needed For Beti Padhao Beti Bachao/Sukanya Samridhi Yojana

Here is the list of documents that you would need if you are applying for BBBP.

• Proof of date of birth (from recognized hospital/government)

• Aadhar card of the child 

• Passport-size photographs of girl child

• ID proof of the parent/guardian

• Address proof (passport, ration card, voter ID, utility bills, driving license)

Steps To Apply For Beti Padhao Beti Bachao / Sukanya Samridhi Yojana

Step 1 - You will need to go to a nearby post office or bank branch

Step 2 - Fill out the BBBP application form

Step 3 - Submit the application and the documents for verification

Step 4 - Post verification, the account will be activated

Balika Samriddhi Yojana (BSY)

Balika Samridhi Yojna is a social welfare system introduced in 1997 with the prime objective of empowering female children by supporting their birth and education. The scheme provides financial aid to all female children coming from families that lie below the poverty line, with the aim of promoting a positive and supportive attitude towards girls and mothers in families, communities, and society as a whole. It also focuses on promoting the enrollment and participation of girls in school, providing appropriate care and support for girls until they reach the legal age of marriage, and providing the right resources to empower girls to pursue opportunities for financial independence.

Benefits Of Balika Samriddhi Yojana

Various benefits of Balika Samridhi Yojana for eligible girl children include:

• A sum of ₹500 will be paid after the birth of a girl child.

• Annual scholarships are offered to female children born on or after 15th August 1997, based on their academic year. (₹300 for Class 1st - 3rd, ₹500 for Class 4th, ₹600 for Class 5th, ₹700 for Class 6th and 7th, ₹800 for 8th and ₹1000 for 9th and 10th)

Eligibility Criteria For Balika Samriddhi Yojana

The eligibility criteria that you need to fulfill in order to be eligible for the BSY scheme are listed below:

• BSY is only applicable for girl children born on or after 15th August 1997.

• For rural areas, it applies to girls belonging to economically weaker sections and below-poverty-line families (identified under Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana)

• For urban areas, it applies to families residing in the urban slum, irrespective of the identification. 

• The scheme applies to families working as vegetable & fruit sellers, payment vendors, and rag-pickers. 

• The benefits of the scheme only apply to two girl children per family (if you have twins or triplets, you may be eligible for more)

• It is only applicable to those families that are not receiving any financial support or pension from the government. 

Documents Needed For Balika Samriddhi Yojana

Here is the list of documents that you would need if you are applying for BSY:

• Proof of date of birth (from a recognized hospital/government)

• Address proof of the parent/guardian (passport, ration card, voter ID, utility bills, driving license)

• Identity proof of the parent/guardian (PAN card, passport, voter ID, matriculation certificate, etc)

Steps To Apply For Balika Samriddhi Yojana

BSY is managed by different bodies in rural and urban areas. Integrated Child Development Services is responsible for the former and the health department for the latter. If you fulfill the eligibility criteria, here are the steps that you are required to follow:

• In rural areas, the forms can be obtained from Anganwadi workers, and in urban areas, from health department functionaries. 

• Fill in the required details and submit the form with all the documents. 

Other Initiatives Introduced By The Governments

Here is a list of some other initiatives started by the Government on a state level:

• Mukhyamantri Rajshri Yojana 

The Mukhyamantri Rajshree Yojana has been planned with the objective of eliminating child mortality and curbing social evils like child marriage, thereby enhancing the girl-child ratio and promoting girls' education. This program operates in both rural and urban areas.

• Karnataka Bhagyashree Scheme

The scheme was introduced by the Karnataka Government to encourage the birth of girls in families living below the poverty line and elevate the status of girls within their households and society. 

• Nanda Devi Kanya Yojana

The "Nandadevi Kanya Yojana" was launched in Uttarakhand to address gender inequality, prevent female foeticide, discourage child marriage, and provide financial security to girls. The scheme applies to girl children born after January 1, 2009, in families living below the poverty line.

• Integrated Child Protection Services Scheme

The Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) is a centrally sponsored initiative implemented by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development with the aim of establishing a safe and secure environment for children in conflict with the law and those requiring care and protection.