Government Schemes for Girl Education in India: Central and State Programs

In India, enrolling girls in school is no longer the hardest battle. The real challenge lies in ensuring that they stay, progress, and complete their education. To support continuity in education, both the Central and State governments have introduced several government schemes for girl child education aimed at reducing dropouts and easing financial pressure on families. These initiatives, along with broader Saving Schemes for Women in India, play a vital role in empowering families to invest in girls’ futures.

Let us explore the latest schemes for girl-child education in India that aim to support girls across different stages of schooling and ultimately women’s entrepreneurship.

List of Government Schemes for Girl Child in India

The following table lists notable government schemes related to education, girl-child welfare, and women’s empowerment. 

S.No	Scheme Name	Initiated Year	Implemented By	Eligibility / Age Group
1	Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)	1975	Ministry of Women and Child Development	Children below 6 years, pregnant and lactating women
2	National Education Policy (NEP) 2020	2020	Ministry of Education	Applicable across all education levels
3	Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan	2018	Ministry of Education	Students from pre-primary to Class 12
4	PM POSHAN (Mid-Day Meal Scheme)	1995, restructured 2021	Ministry of Education	Students of Classes 1 to 8 in government and aided schools
5	National Means cum Merit Scholarship (NMMS)	2008	Ministry of Education	Class 8 students from low-income families
6	Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV)	2004	Ministry of Education	Girls from SC, ST, OBC, minority, and BPL families
7	Beti Bachao Beti Padhao	2015	Ministry of Women and Child Development	Girl children across India
8	Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana	2015	Ministry of Finance	Girl child below 10 years
9	National Scheme of Incentives to Girls for Secondary Education	2008	Ministry of Education	Disadvantaged girls passing Class 8
10	Balika Samriddhi Yojana	1997	Ministry of Women and Child Development	Girl children from economically weaker sections
11	CBSE Udaan Scheme	2014	Ministry of Education and CBSE	Girls in Classes 11 and 12 (Science stream)
12	Post Matric Scholarship Scheme	1944	Government of India	SC, ST, OBC, and minority students after Class 10
13	Pragati Scholarship for Girls	2014	AICTE, Ministry of Education	Girls in technical and professional courses
14	INSPIRE Scholarship	2008	Department of Science and Technology	Students pursuing science education
15	National Scholarship Portal (NSP)	2015	Government of India	Platform, eligibility varies by scheme

Each of these schemes serves a specific purpose. Let’s discuss how they work and who can benefit from them.

Government Schemes’ List for Women and Girl Child Welfare in India – An Overview

India supports education and women’s development through various programmes that focus on:

• Early childhood care
• Schooling education for girls
• Access to higher education
• Broader safety and empowerment support for women

Each category addresses specific barriers while contributing to long-term social and economic outcomes.

Early Education and Foundational Support for Girl Child Development

Early education schemes ensure that children, especially girls, enter formal schooling with adequate support for learning and health.

• Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) provides early education, nutrition, and health services through Anganwadi centres across the country. It plays a foundational role in improving learning outcomes before formal schooling begins.
  
• National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: It outlines reforms across all levels of education, with strong emphasis on early learning, foundational literacy, numeracy, and flexible learning structures across education levels.

School Education and Continuity Support Schemes for Girls in India

• Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan: Samagra Shiksha is an umbrella programme covering education from pre-primary to Class 12. It focuses on improving school infrastructure, teacher quality, digital learning, and inclusive education for all students.
• PM POSHAN (Mid-Day Meal Scheme): This scheme provides nutritious meals to students in government and government-aided schools. It improves attendance, supports children’s health, and encourages children to stay in school.
• National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMS): NMMS offers financial support to academically strong students from low-income families. The scheme aims to reduce dropout rates after Class 8 by easing the cost of continuing education.

Targeted Government Initiatives to Promote Girl Child Education

• Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV): KGBV provides residential schooling facilities for girls from SC, ST, OBC, minority, and economically weaker backgrounds, ensuring uninterrupted education.
• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao: This initiative promotes the education and overall development of the girl child. It focuses on improving school enrolment, retention, and awareness around gender equality.
• Balika Samriddhi Yojana: It offers financial assistance linked to key education milestones. The aim is to encourage families to invest in a girl child’s schooling and long-term well-being.
• CBSE Udaan Scheme: It supports girls preparing for engineering entrance examinations. It aims to increase female participation in technical and science-based careers.
• Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana: A savings scheme designed to help parents plan for a girl child’s education. It encourages long-term financial planning by offering attractive interest rates.

Higher Education and Scholarship Schemes

Government Higher education schemes help students continue their studies beyond school without financial strain.

• Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme: It provides financial assistance to students pursuing education after Class 10. It supports learners from SC, ST, OBC, and minority communities.
• Pragati Scholarship for Girls: It helps girls enrolled in technical and professional courses. The support covers tuition fees and other education-related expenses.
• INSPIRE Scholarship: It encourages students to pursue science and research-oriented studies. It offers financial support based on academic performance.

Government Schemes for Women Beyond Education

Several schemes focus on women’s safety, health, skills, and economic participation, complementing education-focused initiatives.

• The Women Helpline 181 provides 24×7 support for women in distress.
• One Stop Centres offer integrated assistance to women affected by violence in private or public spaces.
•  Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana and Mukhya Mantri Matritav Sahayta Yojana provide maternity benefits to pregnant and lactating mothers.
• Schemes such as Working Women Hostels, Kishori Shakti Yojana, and State Resource Centres for Women support safe accommodation, adolescent development, and programme coordination.

Welfare and Support Schemes For Women 

These schemes do not directly fund education but play an important role in helping girls and women stay in school, delay dropouts, and complete their studies.

S.No	Scheme Name	Initiated Year	Implemented By	Purpose
1	Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)	2017	Ministry of Women and Child Development	Maternity benefits supporting maternal and child health
2	Kishori Shakti Yojana	2000	Ministry of Women and Child Development	Nutrition, health, and life skills support for adolescent girls
3	Women Helpline 181	Varies by State	State Governments	Emergency support and safety assistance for women
4	One Stop Centre (OSC)	2015	Ministry of Women and Child Development	Integrated support for women affected by violence
5	Working Women Hostel Scheme	1972	Ministry of Women and Child Development	Safe accommodation for working women and students
6	Mukhyamantri Kanya Utthan Yojana (Bihar)	2018	Government of Bihar	Financial assistance linked to education milestones
7	e Kalyan Bihar Scholarship	2025–26	Government of Bihar	Post-matric financial support for SC, ST, and OBC students
8	Ladli Behna Yojana (Madhya Pradesh)	2023	Government of Madhya Pradesh	Income support for eligible women beneficiaries

How to Apply for Government Schemes for Girl Child Education

You can apply for these schemes through official government platforms. 

• MyScheme Portal (Government of India): Helps identify eligible central and state schemes based on age, income, education level, and location.
  
• National Scholarship Portal (NSP): Used for applying to school, post-matric, and higher education scholarships and tracking application status.
  
• School Authorities / Education Departments: Many schemes are routed through government and aided schools, which help with form submission and verification.
  
• Banks and Post Offices: Savings-based schemes for girl child education are opened through authorised banks like the State Bank of India or post offices.
  
• State Education Department Portals: State-specific education and girl child schemes are managed through respective state government websites.
  
• Anganwadi Centres (for early education support): Used for enrolment and benefits related to early childhood education and nutrition

Basic documents such as Aadhaar, income certificate, school admission proof, and bank account details are required. 

What is the Importance of Girl Child Education? 

Educating girls has a direct impact on families, communities, and the economy. 

Girls who complete their education are more likely to make informed health choices, participate in the workforce, and contribute to household income. Education also improves confidence and decision-making, helping women take on more active roles within their families and society.

Higher educational attainment among girls is linked to lower dropout rates, delayed marriage, improved child health, and better financial stability for families. 

Childhood Education Policy and Schooling Age in India

In India, the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, guarantees free and compulsory schooling for children between the ages of 6 and 14. 

Moreover, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 outlines a broader vision for learning, with a strong focus on early childhood education and flexible learning pathways. 

The right age for a child to start school in India is six, following pre-primary education. Starting school at the right age helps build strong learning habits, social skills, and a smoother transition through different stages of education, particularly for girls.

Learn How Investment Schemes for Women Can Build a Brighter Future for Your Daughter — Read Now!

Final Thoughts

Access to education can change the direction of a girl’s life, but awareness is just as important as availability. With the right support in place, education becomes a steady path toward independence and long-term security.

By using these education-focused programmes early, parents can ensure that their daughters stay in school and complete their studies without interruption. 

Government Schemes for Girl Child Education – FAQs

Source: https://www.myscheme.gov.in

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