Beti Bachao Beti Padhao : India’s Best Scheme for Empowring Girls

Ministry of Women and Child Development

About Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

In 2015, the Indian government launched the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme to combat gender discrimination and promote women’s empowerment. The name means “Save the girl child, educate the girl child.” This initiative aims to raise awareness about gender bias and enhance services for girls, starting with funding of ₹100 crore (approximately $13.5 million).

Objectives:

The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana has the following main goals:

1. Improve the child sex ratio.
2. Promote gender equality and empower women.
3. Prevent gender-based, sex-selective elimination.
4. Ensure the survival and protection of the girl child.
5. Encourage the education and participation of girls.

The scheme consists of three components:

1. Advocacy Campaigns: To raise awareness about the declining child sex ratio (CSR) and sex ratio at birth (SRB).
2. Multi-Sectoral Interventions: Programs in key districts across the country.
3. Financial Incentive Scheme: The Sukanya Samriddhi scheme encourages parents to save for their daughters.

Key Beneficiaries:

1. Primary Segment: Young couples, pregnant and nursing mothers, and parents.
2. Secondary Segment: Youth and adolescents (girls and boys), medical professionals, and hospitals.
3. Tertiary Segment: Officials, community leaders, women’s groups, and the general public.

Programs are being implemented to improve the CSR and SRB ratios in critical districts. The scheme sets clear goals to track progress in 640 districts. The targets include:

1. Increase the SRB in selected districts by 2 points each year.
2. Reduce gender differences in child mortality rates by 1.5 points each year.
3. Ensure every school has functional toilets for girls.
4. Increase first trimester antenatal care registration by 1% each year.
5. Improve nutrition by reducing the number of underweight and anemic girls under five years old.

Key Developments:

1. The National SRB Index improved from 918 in 2014-15 to 934 in 2019-20, an increase of 16 points over five years.
2. 422 out of 640 districts have improved their SRB from 2014-15 to 2018-19.
3. The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of girls in secondary schools rose from 77.45 in 2014-15 to 81.32 in 2018-19, an increase of 3.87 points in four years.
4. The number of schools with separate toilets for girls increased from 92.1% in 2014-15 to 95.1% in 2018-19.
5. The first trimester ANC registration rate increased from 61% in 2014-15 to 71% in 2019-20, and institutional deliveries rose from 87% to 94%.

Benefits

This scheme has introduced several initiatives to raise awareness among target groups:

• Digital Guddi-Gudda Board: A digital platform that highlights gender disparity in birth rates and provides information on schemes for girls.
• Udaan – Sapne Di Duniya De Rubaru: Offers girls the chance to shadow professionals in various fields.
• My Aim My Target Campaign: A recognition program for outstanding academic performances by girls in higher secondary schools.
• Lakshya Se Rubaru: An internship program for college girls to help them make informed career choices.
• Noor Jeevan Ka Betiyan: A week-long campaign featuring activities that promote gender empowerment in Panchayats, schools, and colleges.
• Bitiya and Birba: An awareness campaign about the BBBP initiative, celebrating mothers of newborn girls by gifting them a plant.
• Aao School Chalein: A door-to-door campaign to ensure every girl is enrolled in school.
• Collector Ki Class: Free coaching and career counseling for underprivileged girls in public schools and colleges.
• Bal Cabinet: A youth leadership program where girls simulate government roles to discuss and solve community issues.

Eligibility

• The family must have a girl child under 10 years old.
• A Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSA) must be opened in the girl child’s name at any Indian bank.
• The girl child must be a resident Indian; NRIs are not eligible for this scheme.

Exclusions

• NRIs are not eligible for the BBBP scheme.

Application Process

Offline Steps:

1. Visit the bank or post office where the scheme is available.
2. Obtain and complete the application form for BBBP/SSA.
3. Attach all required documents to the filled form.
4. Submit the documents to the same bank or post office, ensuring the account is opened in the girl child’s name.

Note: This account can be easily transferred between banks or post offices.

Documents Required

1. Birth certificate of the girl child (issued by a hospital or recognized government authority).
2. Proof of identity of the parents (Aadhaar card, ration card, etc.).
3. Proof of address of the parents (passport, driving license, utility bills, etc.).
4. A passport-size photograph.

Frequently Asked Questions

Also Read :

1. Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS): 2024
2. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme: Financial Security for Senior Citizens: 2025
3. Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana : 2024