Balika Samridhi Yojana

Balika Samridhi Yojana (BSY) is a welfare scheme launched by the Government of India on 2nd October 1997 under the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The scheme was designed to address deep-rooted social challenges around the girl child by changing negative family and community attitudes, improving school enrollment and retention rates among girls, and raising the marriage age.

The scheme provides a one-time post-birth grant of Rs 500 to the mother upon the birth of a girl child, followed by annual scholarships that increase progressively from Rs 300 in Classes 1-3 to Rs 1,000 in Classes 9-10. The total scholarship support across all school years amounts to approximately Rs 5,500 per girl child. The scholarship amounts are deposited into interest-bearing bank accounts opened in the girl's name, and the accumulated amount can be withdrawn upon turning 18, provided the beneficiary remains unmarried.

The scheme is a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme targeting girl children born on or after 15th August 1997 in families living Below the Poverty Line. It covers both rural and urban areas across all states and union territories of India, with implementation handled by ICDS through Anganwadi workers in rural areas and by the Health Department in urban areas. Each family can avail benefits for a maximum of two girl children.

Since its launch, BSY has benefited over 50,000 girls and has contributed to increased school enrollment among girls in economically disadvantaged families. The scheme operates alongside other girl child welfare programs like Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao.