The Government of India has introduced several landmark schemes over the years to uplift and empower the girl child, focusing on education, financial security, health, and social equity. These initiatives are designed to address long-standing challenges such as female foeticide, child marriage, and gender inequality, while also providing families with incentives to invest in their daughters’ futures.
One of the most prominent programs is Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, launched in 2015, which aims to improve the child sex ratio and promote education for girls through awareness campaigns and community mobilization. Complementing this is the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, a savings scheme that allows parents to open a special account for their daughters under the age of 10, offering high interest rates and tax benefits. This ensures that funds are available for higher education or marriage when the girl turns 18.
For families living below the poverty line, the Balika Samriddhi Yojana provides financial assistance at birth and annual scholarships until the girl completes class 10. Similarly, the National Scheme of Incentives to Girls for Secondary Education encourages SC/ST girls to continue schooling by offering a fixed deposit of ₹3,000, redeemable at age 18 if unmarried.
Education-focused initiatives also include the CBSE Udaan Scheme, which supports girl students aspiring to enter engineering by providing free online resources, mentoring, and financial aid. Meanwhile, the Kishori Shakti Yojana addresses adolescent girls’ health and nutrition, while also offering vocational training to prepare them for future opportunities.
