Here’s a simple and clear explanation of the Top 10 Central Government Girl Child Schemes in India, along with their eligibility criteria.
Top 10 Central Government Girl Child Schemes in India
1. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)
- Purpose: To prevent gender-biased sex selection and promote education and empowerment of girls.
- Eligibility:
- Families with girl children below 10 years of age.
- A Sukanya Samriddhi Account should be opened in the name of the girl child.
- The girl child should be born in India.
- Not applicable to Non-Resident Indians (NRIs).
2. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)
- Purpose: A savings scheme to secure the financial future of a girl child.
- Eligibility:
- Girl child must be below 10 years of age at the time of account opening.
- Only one account per girl child is allowed.
- Parents or legal guardians can open the account on behalf of the girl child.
3. Balika Samriddhi Yojana
- Purpose: To provide financial support to girls from families below the poverty line (BPL) for their education and welfare.
- Eligibility:
- Girl child must belong to a BPL family.
- Girl child should be born on or after August 15, 1997.
- Applicable for up to two girl children per family.
4. CBSE Udaan Scheme
- Purpose: To provide free online resources and support to girl students for engineering entrance examinations.
- Eligibility:
- Girl students studying in Class 11 and 12 in Science stream with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
- Minimum 70% marks in Class 10 overall and 80% marks in Science and Mathematics.
- Annual family income should be less than ₹6 lakhs.
5. National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education (NSIGSE)
- Purpose: To promote enrollment of girl students in secondary education, especially from disadvantaged groups.
- Eligibility:
- Girl students belonging to SC/ST communities.
- Passed Class 8 and enrolled in Class 9 in a government school.
- Unmarried and below 16 years of age at the time of enrollment.
6. Dhanalakshmi Scheme
- Purpose: To provide cash incentives to families for the birth and education of girl children.
- Eligibility:
- Girl child must be born after November 8, 2008.
- Family must be below the poverty line.
- Cash incentives are provided at different stages: birth registration, immunization, school enrollment, and retention.
7. Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV)
- Purpose: To provide residential schooling facilities for girls from disadvantaged communities.
- Eligibility:
- Girls belonging to SC, ST, OBC, minority communities, and families below the poverty line.
- Girls who are out of school or dropped out before completing elementary education.
8. Ladli Scheme (Delhi)
- Purpose: To enhance the social status of the girl child through financial assistance.
- Eligibility:
- Girl child must be born in Delhi.
- Family income should not exceed ₹1 lakh per annum.
- Girl child must be enrolled in a recognized school.
9. Mazi Kanya Bhagyashree Scheme (Maharashtra)
- Purpose: To improve the status of the girl child in the family and society.
- Eligibility:
- Girl child must belong to a BPL family.
- Parents must undergo sterilization after the birth of the second girl child.
- Financial assistance is provided for education and marriage.
10. Kanyashree Prakalpa (West Bengal)
- Purpose: To provide financial support to adolescent girls to pursue higher education and delay marriage.
- Eligibility:
- Girls aged between 13 and 18 years.
- Enrolled in an educational institution.
- Annual family income should be less than ₹1.2 lakhs.
- Must be unmarried at the time of application.
Summary
These schemes aim to empower the girl child through education, financial support, and social upliftment. Eligibility criteria vary across schemes, focusing on factors like age, income, and educational status. It’s essential to check the specific requirements and benefits of each scheme to determine suitability.
