In India, the girl child embodies resilience and potential, yet faces the grim reality of gender-based discrimination. Despite strides in education and awareness, female feticide remains a pressing issue. Ending this practice is imperative to foster a society where every girl can flourish. Girls contribute significantly to the nation’s progress, excelling in academics, sports, and various fields. To empower them, Balika Samriddhi Yojana was launched in the year 1997 where certain financial assistance is given to the girl child till she attains 18 years of age.

In this article, we are going to talk about the “Balika Samriddhi Yojana” in detail. It is advised to read the article till the end if you want to know all the details regarding the scheme such as the Balika Samriddhi Yojana online apply, Balika Samriddhi Yojana benefits, Balika Samridhi Yojana launch date, Balika Samridhi Yojana amount and More

What is Balika Samriddhi Yojana 2024?

Balika Samriddhi Yojana (BSY) is a central-sponsored scheme that aims to empower girl children in India. It was introduced in  1997 by the Ministry of Women & Child Development.  This significant program focuses on supporting the education and well-being of girls. It extends its coverage to all female children born after August 15, 1997, in families falling below the poverty line (BPL), as defined by the Government of India. The BSY is a crucial step toward fostering the growth and development of girl children across both urban and rural areas, ensuring their access to essential resources and opportunities.

Under this scheme, the government gives financial aid following the birth and completion of studies for daughters aiming to counter negative perceptions about them. A ₹500 grant is given at birth, followed by annual support until the daughter completes the 10th grade, promoting educational opportunities. The scheme strives to challenge biases against daughters, allowing the withdrawal of accumulated funds from the bank at 18. Daughters born on or after August 15, 1997, are eligible for the Balika Samridhi Yojana 2024. Application details for accessing these benefits will be outlined in this article.

BSY is a fully Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed at extending benefits to girls in both rural and urban areas across the country. Since 1997, the states have executed the program by the norms, guidelines, and conditions stipulated by the Central Government.

Balika Samriddhi Yojana 2024 Key Highlights
Balika Samriddhi Yojana 2024 Launched Date	October 02, 1997,
Balika Samriddhi Yojana Official Website	BSY Official Website
Balika Samriddhi Yojana Objective	To provide financial assistance to the girl child of the state.
Balika Samriddhi Yojana Beneficiaries	Girl Child in the State
Balika Samriddhi Yojana Incentive Amount	7400
Balika Samriddhi Yojana under which Ministry	Ministry of Women and Child Development
Balika Samriddhi Yojana Beneficiary Limit	2 Girl Child in a Family
Balika Samriddhi Yojana Mode of Application	Offline (Rural and Urban)
Balika Samriddhi Yojana Helpline Number	Click Here

Balika Samriddhi Yojana Objectives

The Balika Samridhi Yojana operates to promote the well-being of girls, encompassing the following goals. Here are some objectives of the scheme. 

• Transforming negative perceptions of mothers and female children within families, communities, and society.
• Guaranteeing uninterrupted admission and progression of girls in schools.
• Offering assistance to girls until they attain the legal marriageable age.
• Fostering and supporting girls in engaging with income-generating activities for their welfare.
• Enhancing the enrollment and inclusion of girls in educational institutions.
• Elevating the age at which girls enter into marriage.
• Supporting girls in engaging in income-generating activities.

Balika Samriddhi Yojana Key Features

• Instilling positivity and fostering a transformative mindset within families, communities, and society towards both the girl child and mother.
• Ensuring the protection and improvement of girls’ retention and enrollment rates in schools.
• Providing adequate support for the upbringing of girl children until they reach the legally marriageable age.
• Motivating and assisting girl children in pursuing income-generating opportunities for their overall welfare.

Balika Samriddhi Yojana Benefits

• Funds from the Balika Samridhi Yojana are deposited into an interest-bearing account held in the girl child’s name.
• Optimal choices for account types include the Public Provident Fund or National Savings Certificate programs, ensuring the account earns the highest possible interest rate.
• Withdrawal of funds is prohibited before the girl child reaches eighteen years of age.
• Upon turning eighteen and remaining unmarried, the girl can withdraw the funds, presenting a certificate from the Gram Panchayat/Municipality.
• If the girl marries before reaching eighteen, she is eligible for the ₹500 post-birth grant and its accrued interest; other qualified females receive the remaining funds.
• The State Government/Union Territory Administration selects a bank or post office to facilitate the account opening.
• In the unfortunate event of the girl child’s demise before reaching eighteen, the funds in her account are directed to other eligible beneficiaries under the scheme.

Balika Samriddhi Yojana Financial Assistance

Previously, under the Balika Samridhi Yojana (BSY), the government used to grant ₹500 to mothers upon the birth of a baby girl, pledging ongoing support for the girl’s education. However, the application process for the scholarship was not clearly outlined.

In 1999-2000, BSY changed to maximize benefits for the girl child. Presently, eligible girls under Balika Samriddhi Yojana are entitled to:

• A ₹500 gift upon birth.
• Upon the enrollment of a girl child covered under BSY who was born on or after August 15, 1997, and upon commencement of her attendance at school, she becomes eligible for an annual scholarship upon the successful completion of each academic year. 

Details regarding the scholarship application process are provided below.

Class	Annual Scholarship Amount (per year)	Total Amount in each Class
1st to 3rd	₹300 for each class	₹900
4th	₹500	₹500
5th	₹600	₹600
6th to 7th	₹700 for each class	₹1400
8th	₹800	₹800
9th to 10th	₹1000	₹2000

Disbursement of Scholarships:

• The funds received through post-birth and annual scholarships for school attendance will be deposited into an interest-bearing account opened in the name of the beneficiary girl child. 
• An officer appointed by the State Government, designated for this purpose, will ensure the account is opened in the nearest bank or post office offering the maximum interest rate.
• To optimize interest earnings, premature withdrawal from the account, set to mature when the girl child turns 18, will not be allowed. 
• Upon reaching 18 years of age, and upon submission of a certificate from the Gram Panchayat/Municipality confirming her unmarried status, the implementing agency will authorize the concerned bank or post office to facilitate the withdrawal of the matured amount in the interest-bearing account.
• If the girl gets married before turning 18, she forfeits the annual scholarship amounts and the accrued interest. In such cases, she is entitled only to the post-birth grant of Rs.500/- and the interest accrued thereon. 
• The implementing agency is authorized to withdraw the matured deposit amount and its interest in these instances, reallocating the funds to provide benefits under this scheme to other eligible girl children.
• In the unfortunate event of the girl’s demise before turning 18, the accumulated amount in her account will be withdrawn by the implementing agency to be disbursed to other eligible beneficiaries under BSY.

Alternative Use of Annual Scholarships

• A part of the Rs.500/- post-birth grant or the annual scholarship amount designated for deposit may be authorized for the specific purpose of covering the premium for an insurance policy held in the name of the girl child, as part of the Bhagyashree Balika Bima Yojana. This allocation requires explicit approval from the mother or guardian of the child. The remaining portion, i.e., the balance after settling the premium, will be deposited into the interest-bearing account.
• The annual scholarship funds may be sanctioned for the procurement of textbooks or uniforms for the girl child, subject to the approval of the mother or guardian. Any surplus scholarship funds after these expenses will be deposited into the interest-bearing account.

Balika Samriddhi Yojana Eligibility Criteria 

• Eligibility for the scheme extends to rural residents falling under the BPL category, identified through the Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana.
• In urban areas, families residing in slums, without specific identification, will be encompassed within BSY.
• Coverage extends to families engaged in occupations such as vegetable and fruit vending, rag-picking, and payment vending, among others.
• Surveys are conducted to assess BPL status, and lists are compiled under the TPDS (Targeted Public Distribution System).
• The scheme benefits girl children born on or after August 15, 1997, belonging to BPL families.
• Each family, regardless of the number of children, is eligible to receive benefits for two girl children.

Balika Samriddhi Yojana Documents Required 

Essential documentation for application includes:

• Aadhar card
• Ration card
• Birth certificate
• Identification cards of parents
• Proof of address
• Income certificate
• Details of bank passbook
• Passport-size photographs
• Mobile number

Balika Samriddhi Yojana Application Process

Before you apply for the Balika Samriddhi Yojana, it is imperative to check the complete eligibility criteria. Also, make sure that you check all the required documents that need to be attested in the application form. You can apply for the BSY offline. There is no provision or facility to apply for the BSY online. Here is the complete BSY application process for the residents. 

• For rural residents, initiate the application process by visiting the local Anganwadi center, and for urban residents, approach the health functionary in your respective district.
• You can obtain the application form from the designated authority.

• Alternatively, access the online application form for download. Here is the separate application form for Urban and Rural Households. Make sure to read every detail in the firm carefully and then fill in the same. Any mistake in the form can lead to rejection. 

• Carefully complete all required information in the application form.
• Attach all necessary documents to the completed application.
• Submit the application form to the specified location.
• This delineates the straightforward process of applying for the scheme.

Balika Samriddhi Yojana FAQs