On International Day of the Girl 2023, the United Nations stresses the importance of empowering girls, with the theme "Invest in Girls' Rights: Our Leadership, Our Well-being."In line with this mission, here are five outstanding government schemes dedicated to funding education. These initiatives are designed to offer financial assistance and educational pathways, ultimately fostering an inclusive society that enables girls to excel and achieve their full potential.

Balika Samridhi Yojana (BSY)

The Balika Samriddhi Yojana was launched in 1997 to provide financial assistance to girl children from families falling in the Below the Poverty Line (BPL) category. On the birth of the girl child scheme provides financial assistance of Rs. 500 to the family. In addition, the girl child gets an annual scholarship between Rs. 300 and Rs. 1000 till the end of her matriculation from 1st class to 10th class. Only two daughters from a family are eligible to apply for this scheme. This initiative aims to transform societal perceptions about girl children.

Photo: Students

What is the eligibility?

Must born on or after August 15, 1997
Belong to a BPL family
Must be enrolled in a school

CBSE Udaan Scholarship Program

The CBSE Udaan Scholarship Program is launched in the year 2014. It is a merit-based scholarship program that helps economically disadvantaged female students in India pursue higher education in prestigious engineering institutions. The scheme provides free online learning resources to selected students along with free Tablets with Pre Loaded Content for Study including video lectures, study materials, and practice questions.

What is the eligibility?

It is available for female students studying in class XI in a CBSE-affiliated school.
The student must be enrolled in the Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) stream.

National Scheme of Incentives to Girls for Secondary Education

The National Scheme of Incentives to Girls for Secondary Education was launched in May 2008 to promote and encourage secondary education for girls in the age group of 14-18 at the secondary stage, especially those who passed Class VIII and to encourage the secondary education of such girls. The government deposits Rs. 3000 in a fixed deposit (FD) account for each girl child.

Photo: Girl Child

What is the eligibility?

The complete accumulated amount can only be withdrawn once the girl child reaches the age of 18.
To be eligible for this scheme, the girl must be enrolled in Class IX at a government-aided or local body school.

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)

The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme, initiated by the Indian government in 2015, strives to protect girl children, combat inhuman practices like foeticide and infanticide, and promote women's education. It aims to reverse the declining child-sex ratio while empowering girls through education. It also ensures equal access to quality education for girls by constructing and upgrading schools, providing scholarships, promoting enrolment and raising awareness through mass media campaigns, rallies, and community mobilization activities

Photo: Girl child

What is the eligibility?

The age of the girl child must be below 10 years.
There should be a Sukanya Samriddhi Account or SSA opened in any Indian bank, in the name of the girl child in the family.
The girl child should be a resident Indian.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)

The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) is a government-backed savings scheme launched to support the "Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)" campaign. It encourages parents to save for their daughter's future education and marriage expenses.

What is the eligibility?

The SSA account has a minimum investment of Rs.250 per year and a maximum investment limit of Rs.1.5 lakh per year.
The account is expected to reach maturity when the female child turns 21 or matures at 18.