The Balika Samriddhi Yojana (BSY) is a government scheme that supports the birth and education of girl children from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. Started in 1997, this scheme gives money to families when a girl is born and provides a yearly scholarship to help her continue school. It helps reduce early marriage and school dropouts while encouraging families to support girls equally. Alongside popular savings options like the Public Provident Fund, National Savings Scheme, and National Savings Certificate, BSY is an important step towards financial and educational support for girls.
What is Balika Samriddhi Yojana?
Balika Samriddhi Yojana is a savings scheme designed for girl children in BPL families. The government gives ₹500 when a girl is born and then offers yearly scholarships between ₹300 and ₹1,000 until she completes Class 10. The aim is to help girls stay in school and improve their future opportunities. The scheme works well alongside other government-backed savings plans such as the Public Provident Fund and the National Savings Scheme to promote financial inclusion and education.
Features of Balika Samriddhi Yojana
The scheme has the following key features:
Girls born on or after 15 August 1997 are eligible under this scheme.
A one-time ₹500 is given to the family after the girl’s birth.
Annual Scholarship Support
The girl receives ₹300 to ₹1,000 yearly, depending on her class level.
Limit of Two Girls per Family
Each BPL family can get benefits for only two girl children.
All amounts are directly sent to the girl’s or parent’s bank account.
Benefits of Balika Samriddhi Yojana
This scheme offers the following benefits:
Benefit Type
| Details
|
At Birth Support
| ₹500 given when the girl child is born
|
School Scholarship
| ₹300–₹1,000 annually till Class 10
|
Direct Bank Credit
| Amount sent to the girl’s bank account
|
Supports Education
| Encourages families to send girls to school
|
Discourages Early Marriage
| Helps delay early marriage through support
|
Major Aspects Behind Balika Samriddhi Yojana
The Balika Samriddhi Yojana focuses on changing social views about girl children, especially in families living below the poverty line. It encourages families to value girls by providing financial help from birth and supporting education with scholarships until Class 10. This reduces early marriage and school dropouts. The scheme also raises awareness about gender equality. It complements other savings plans like the National Savings Certificate and Public Provident Fund to help families build a secure future.
Key points of the scheme include:
Providing money to celebrate the birth of a girl child.
Helping girls stay in school with yearly scholarships.
Promoting timely birth registration for legal identity.
Discouraging early marriage by supporting education.
Raising awareness about gender equality and girl child rights.
Eligibility Criteria for Balika Samriddhi Yojana
The following rules apply to get the benefits:
Girl Child Born on or After 15 August 1997
Only girls born on or after this date can apply.
Belongs to a BPL Household
The scheme is only for families in the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category.
Maximum of Two Girls per Family
Only two daughters per BPL family are allowed under this scheme.
The girl must stay unmarried while receiving the benefits.
She must study in a government or recognised school.
Documents Required for BSY
To apply, the following papers are needed:
Proof that the girl was born after 15 August 1997.
BPL or Income Certificate
Document to confirm the family’s BPL status.
Identity proof of the parent or legal guardian.
Bank passbook or statement showing account and IFSC code.
Proof of School Enrolment
A school certificate or ID to confirm the girl is a student.
How to Apply for Balika Samriddhi Yojana Online?
Here are the steps to apply:
Step 1: Visit the Local Office
Go to the nearest Anganwadi centre or health facility to begin the process.
Step 2: Collect the Form
Get the form from the centre or download it from the official website.
Step 3: Fill Out the Form
Write the correct details like name, address, school info, and bank details.
Step 4: Attach Documents
Attach the birth certificate, BPL card, Aadhaar card, school proof, and bank details.
Step 5: Submit the Form
Give the completed form and documents to the local officer.
Step 6: Check Status
Visit the centre later to see if the application is approved.
Key Considerations You Shouldn’t Miss
The scheme is only for girls born on or after 15 August 1997.
Only families listed under the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category can apply.
A maximum of two girl children per family can get benefits.
The girl must remain unmarried while receiving support.
She should be regularly attending school to continue getting scholarships.
All required documents, such as birth certificate, BPL certificate, Aadhaar card, school enrollment proof, and bank details, must be submitted.
Missing or incorrect documents can lead to application rejection.
Scheme rules and procedures may change over time, so it is important to check official sources for updates.
Following these points carefully will help ensure a smooth application process.
Conclusion
The Balika Samriddhi Yojana is a helpful scheme designed to support girl children from poor families. It provides financial assistance from birth and offers scholarships to encourage girls to complete their education up to Class 10. This support helps reduce early marriages and school dropouts, giving girls a better chance to grow and succeed. Families need to follow the rules and submit all required documents to benefit from the scheme. Overall, the scheme aims to improve the social and economic status of girls and promote equal opportunities in education and life. Along with schemes like the Public Provident Fund, National Savings Scheme, and National Savings Certificate, BSY plays an important role in financial planning for families.
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