Supporting the girl child in India means giving her the best chance at survival, education and empowerment. The Government of India has put in place several central-level schemes targeted at girls, covering everything from awareness, financial incentives, education, health and savings.

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1. Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP)

Launched on 22 January 2015 by the Government of India, this flagship scheme aims to address declining child sex ratio and promote education and empowerment of girls.

Eligibility & key points

Girl child must be an Indian resident; families with a daughter aged below 10 are eligible.
NRI and HUF typically not eligible.

What it offers

Awareness campaigns, improved services for girl child (health, education)
It links to other savings/education schemes like the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) (see next)
Works at district level initially in 100 districts, then expanded.

Why it matters

It creates a holistic environment for the girl child’s well-being, not just a single benefit.

2. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)

A savings scheme for the girl child created under BBBP, it enables parents/guardians to build a long-term corpus for their daughter’s future.

Eligibility & key points

Account can be opened in the name of a girl child up to age 10 years.
Only one account per girl child; at most two accounts per family (exceptions for twins) under the rules.

What it offers

Tax deduction under Section 80C for the deposit
Interest and maturity benefits (subject to government rate changes)
Helps secure funds for higher education or marriage

Why it matters

Gives financial stability and a dedicated savings route for a girl’s future.

3. National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education (NSIGSE)

This scheme supports girls moving into secondary education (Class 9) by giving an incentive once certain conditions are met.

Eligibility & key points

Girls who have passed Class VIII and enroll in Class IX in government/government-aided/local body schools.
Primarily girls from SC/ST communities (for general girls who pass from KGBV schools).

What it offers

A one-time grant of ₹ 3,000 deposited in a fixed deposit account in the girl’s name, withdrawable when 18 years of age and having passed Class X.

Why it matters

Encourages girls to continue into secondary school rather than drop out.

4. Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (SABLA/RGSEAG)

This scheme focuses on adolescent girls (typically aged 11-18) to build skills, health awareness and link them to education or vocational training.

Eligibility & key points

Girls ordinarily 11-18 years of age under ICDS projects in eligible districts.

What it offers

Nutrition, health check-ups, life skills education, vocational training for girls aged 16+.

Why it matters

Helps bridge adolescence challenges and supports girls before they transition into adulthood/education/employment.

5. Providing Assistance for Girls Advancement in Technical Education (PRAGATI)

A scholarship scheme by AICTE aimed at enabling girls to pursue technical education.

Eligibility & key points

One girl per family, family income below a specified threshold (for example under ₹6 lakh in one version).

What it offers

Scholarship amount such as ₹ 30,000 or the tuition fees (whichever is less) + contingency allowance (₹ 2,000/month for 10 months) for selected girls.

Why it matters

Supports girls to enter technical/professional streams, where female participation is low.

6. CBSE Udaan Campaign

An education-centric scheme by Central Board of Secondary Education aimed at meritorious girls in science/engineering stream in Class 11-12.

Eligibility & key points

Disadvantaged girls (meritorious) studying in Class 11-12 in science streams; eligibility based on merit and economic criteria.

What it offers

Free online study material, mentoring, tablets pre-loaded with content, support to move into higher education STEM streams.

Why it matters

Encourages girls to aim for fields like engineering/technology traditionally dominated by males.

7. Balika Samriddhi Yojana

One of the older schemes aimed at financial support for girls born in BPL families and encouraging their schooling.

Eligibility & key points

Girls born on/after certain date (for example 15 Aug 1997 in original version) and from families below poverty line.

What it offers

On birth of girl child, small monetary assistance; scholarships during schooling up to 10th grade.

Why it matters

Targets early childhood incentives and helps families invest in their daughters’ schooling.

8. PM CareS for Children

Although not exclusive to girl children, this scheme provides broad support including for girls who’ve lost parents due to COVID-19 pandemic and need support for education and health.

Eligibility & key points

Children (including girls) who have lost both parents, or one adoptive parent, or surviving parent due to COVID-19 (since 11 March 2020).

What it offers

Financial support up to ₹ 10 lakh, health insurance cover (₹ 5 lakh), scholarships, boarding & lodging, higher education assistance.

Why it matters

Provides safety net for vulnerable girls facing orphanhood or extreme adversity.

9. Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV)

A scheme for girls’ education in rural/remote areas, especially from disadvantaged social backgrounds.

Eligibility & key points

Girls from disadvantaged backgrounds; residential schools for girls from class 6 to class 12 in difficult areas.

What it offers

Free boarding, food, education, life skills training, helping reduce dropouts among older girls.

Why it matters

Ensures that girls in difficult geographical/social settings get opportunity to stay in school.

10. Single Girl Child Merit Scholarship (CBSE) (for example)

An example scheme focussed on single girl children (only girl in the family) encouraging excellence and continued education.

Eligibility & key points

Girl child who is the only child or single girl in family, passing certain board exam (e.g., CBSE Class 10) eligible for scholarship.

What it offers

Scholarship amounts, recognition, support for higher secondary enrollment.

Why it matters

Helps reduce burden and encourage families with one girl to invest in her education and future.

Summary

These ten central government schemes offer a broad mix of support for girl children in India, from saving and long-term corpus building (SSY), to incentives for education (NSIGSE, CBSE Udaan), to social/health support (SABLA, PM CARES).

The key take-aways:

Many schemes require the girl child to be Indian resident, often below certain age or in certain class.
Some schemes target very early years (birth/infant), others adolescence or higher education.
Some schemes provide fixed deposit/financial corpus (SSY, NSIGSE), others provide services or education support.
To get full benefit, it’s important that families apply, maintain eligibility (school enrollment, age, class pass-conditions).
These schemes are complementary so parents/guardians can often avail more than one where eligible.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I apply for multiple girl-child schemes for my daughter?

Yes, many schemes have different objectives (education, savings, social support) so you may apply for all those you’re eligible for.

Does ‘girl child’ always mean only one daughter in a family?

No. many schemes cover each girl child, but some schemes may limit benefits for first/second girl in a family. Always check scheme-specific rules.

Are NRIs eligible for girl child schemes like BBBP or SSY?

Typically not. For example BBBP eligibility says resident Indian, NRIs are excluded.

Do I need to apply immediately after the girl child’s birth for all schemes?

Not always. Some schemes apply at certain ages or when enrolling in classes (for example NSIGSE after Class VIII) or up to age 10 for SSY.

Is there a separate scheme for girl children who are orphans?

Yes, for example PM CARES for Children supports children (girls included) who lost parents to COVID-19.

Does my daughter need to be unmarried to get benefit under girl child education schemes?

Many schemes for adolescent girls or older require that the girl remains unmarried till certain achievement/age; check scheme terms.

How do I know which scheme applies in my area?

Central schemes apply nationwide; however implementation and local offices may vary. Contact the relevant ministry or local Women & Child Development department for details.

Are these benefits automatic or do I need to apply?

Typically you must apply with required documents (birth certificate, school pass certificate, Aadhaar, etc). For example NSIGSE says girls pass Class VIII and enrol in Class IX then register.

Can these schemes be combined with state-level girl-child schemes?

Yes, many families benefit from both central and state schemes, provided eligibility is met under both.

What happens if my daughter changes school/state or moves house?

Many schemes include provisions for transfer or continuity; e.g., SSY account can be transferred.

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