Government Schemes for Girl Child: From Sukanya Samriddhi to Beti Bachao Beti Padhao - Key benefits EXPLAINED

The government runs several schemes focused on education, health, financial security and skill development for girls. These initiatives aim not only to protect the girl child but to prepare her for leadership, employment and independence. From savings plans to school enrolment drives, the focus has moved from survival to empowerment.

Here is a look at the most important government schemes for the girl child and how they are shaping opportunities across India.

An account can be opened for a girl below the age of 10 years and deposits can be made for 15 years, while the account matures after 21 years. The scheme offers attractive interest and tax benefits, making it a preferred long-term planning tool for families.

More importantly, SSY changes perception. It sends a clear message that daughters deserve financial planning just like sons, whether it is for higher education, entrepreneurship or personal independence.

The scheme works through awareness campaigns, community participation and district-level action plans to ensure girls are born, nurtured and educated with dignity. It encourages families to keep girls in school and delay early marriages.

Beyond numbers, BBBP plays a psychological role by pushing society to treat daughters as assets rather than burdens. It has helped improve school participation and social acceptance of girls across several regions.

Samagra Shiksha integrates education from pre-primary to secondary level and gives special attention to reducing gender gaps.

Under the programme, girls receive support through scholarships, free textbooks, uniforms, transport facilities and vocational exposure. It also improves infrastructure such as toilets and hostels to make schools safer and more accessible for adolescent girls.

By addressing everyday barriers, Samagra Shiksha ensures that girls not only enrol in schools but also stay and complete their education.

These residential schools provide free education, accommodation and support for girls belonging to SC, ST, OBC and minority groups. For many students, KGBVs become the first stable learning environment that allows them to continue beyond primary education.

The scheme plays a crucial role in preventing dropouts and early marriage by keeping girls in a structured academic setting.

UDAAN supports schoolgirls aspiring for engineering by providing study material, mentoring and guidance for competitive exams. Vigyan Jyoti encourages rural girls to explore STEM fields through counselling sessions, lab visits and workshops.

These initiatives are slowly increasing female participation in technical institutions and breaking stereotypes around “male-only” professions.

NAVYA trains adolescent girls in emerging areas such as digital marketing, cybersecurity, AI services and green jobs. It helps them move beyond traditional roles and become financially independent.

Alongside, the Skill India Mission integrates young women into vocational training, entrepreneurship and industry-relevant programmes. Together, they ensure empowerment is linked not just to education, but also to employment.

POSHAN Abhiyaan and Mission Vatsalya

Empowerment is incomplete without health and safety. POSHAN Abhiyaan focuses on reducing malnutrition among adolescent girls and mothers, while school nutrition programmes support overall wellbeing.