Balika Samriddhi Yojana (BSY): Empowering the Girl Child in India

The Balika Samriddhi Yojana (BSY) is a centrally sponsored scheme launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, aimed at improving the status and well-being of the girl child in India. Introduced in 1997, the scheme seeks to change negative family and societal attitudes towards girls, support their education and health, and delay early marriage by Offering financial incentives to the family.

BSY Launched In Which Year?

• Launched: 15 August 1997
• By: Ministry of Women and Child Development
• Initially launched for rural and urban families living below the poverty line (BPL)
• Current Status (2025): Active under the larger umbrella of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and integrated welfare policies

Objectives of Balika Samriddhi Yojana

The scheme is structured to:

• Promote the birth and survival of the girl child
• Encourage families to educate their daughters
• Provide financial support for the girl’s upbringing
• Delay the age of marriage
• Reduce school dropouts among adolescent girls
• Empower girls to become socially and economically independent

Key Features and Benefits of BSY

BSY Eligibility Criteria

To avail benefits under the Balika Samriddhi Yojana:

• The girl child must be born on or after 15 August 1997
• The family must be living below the poverty line (BPL), as defined by the government
• Applicable to up to two girl children in a BPL family
• The girl must be:
  • Unmarried
  • Enrolled in school
  • Below 18 years of age for scholarship benefits

How to Apply for Balika Samriddhi Yojana – Online & Offline

Currently, BSY applications are mostly offline, handled through Anganwadi Centres and municipal offices, but some state portals may allow partial online tracking.

Steps to Apply:

1. Visit the nearest Anganwadi Centre or municipal health office

2. Collect and fill out the Balika Samriddhi Yojana Application Form

3. Attach required documents:

   • Girl child’s birth certificate
   • BPL card or income certificate
   • aadhaar card (if available)
   • Proof of school enrolment

4. Submit the form to the local nodal officer

5. Amount will be credited into a Bank/Post Office account in the girl's name

Note: Some states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan may offer state-level tracking portals for BSY or integrated girl child schemes.

State-wise Implementation: BSY Reach in India

Though BSY is a central scheme, it is implemented by state governments. Over the years, various states have introduced their own versions or supplements of BSY, such as:

• Gujarat: Kunwarbai Nu Mameru
• Haryana: Ladli Scheme
• Delhi: Ladli Yojana
• Rajasthan: Rajshree Yojana
• Uttar Pradesh: Kanya Vidya Dhan Yojana

These schemes may differ in fund structure but serve the same purpose — girl child empowerment.

Impact of BSY So Far

Since its launch, BSY has contributed to:

• Increased enrolment of girls in primary and secondary schools
• Delayed age of marriage in several rural belts
• Gradual improvement in sex ratio at birth
• Enhanced awareness among rural families about girls' rights
• Upliftment of BPL families through financial incentives

However, coverage remains incomplete and uneven, requiring better digital integration, awareness drives, and convergence with education and health missions.

Relevance of Balika Samriddhi Yojana for UPSC

UPSC aspirants must understand BSY in the context of:

• GS Paper II: Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections
• GS Paper I: Social Empowerment, Women and Child Issues
• Topics: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Child Rights in India, Financial Inclusion

Key data points to remember:

• ₹500 grant + annual scholarships
• Target: BPL families, up to two girls
• Ministry: Women and Child Development
• Launched: 1997, continues under broader girl child schemes

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the amount given under Balika Samriddhi Yojana?

A: ₹500 at birth and ₹300–₹1,000 per year as scholarship, depending on class level.

Q2. Who launched BSY?

A: The Government of India under the Ministry of Women and Child Development in 1997.

Q3. How to apply for BSY online?

A: There is no dedicated national online portal for BSY. Application is offline through Anganwadi Centres and local health departments.

Q4. Is BSY available for all girl children?

A: Only for up to two daughters in BPL families born after 15 August 1997.

Q5. Can BSY benefits be combined with other schemes?

A: Yes, families may also be eligible under Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, Ladli Scheme, or Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaigns.