It is celebrated every year on 24th of January as a national observance day for the girl child. This celebration was started to offer more support and new opportunities to the girls in the country.
Gone are the days when girls were considered as a sin, a burden on their families and what not! In today’s world, they are competing with men shoulder to shoulder, in fact, they are ahead of their male counterparts in every sense, and one should acknowledge it.
As the country celebrates its 11th National Girl Child Day, we bring to you three Central govt schemes which help parents to build a fund to meet the expenditure for their girl child’s education and marriage.
1. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)
Sukanya Samriddhi, launched in the year 2015, is a famous and popular scheme backed by the Government of India. As part of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign started by the Central govt, this is a saving scheme for the benefit of the girl child.
Features and benefits
This particular account pays an interest of 9.1 per cent for each financial year, the highest compared to other small saving schemes. Besides, this scheme is also one of the most tax-saving ones. It has the provision of a lock-in period too. With the help of this scheme, you can certainly build an adequate amount to provide a bright future for your girl child. Most importantly, the account can be transferred too to another place if required.
Who can avail?
By paying an amount of Rs 250, a maximum of two accounts can be opened by legal guardians or parents of a girl child. The age of the child should not be more than 10 years. A certificate for proof of age has to be submitted along with the form. The account can be closed after completion of 21 years.
How to avail?
You can visit any authorized commercial bank or post office and get it opened. The birth certificate has to be attached. Some identity proof like passport, ration card, driving license or PAN card of the depositor needs to be submitted. The address proof of the depositor is also required. Once the account is opened, a passbook is issued to the person for carrying on further transactions.
2. Balika Samridhi Yojana (BSY)
Launched in August 1997 by the Government of India, the Balika Samridhi Yojana is specifically meant for the upliftment of girls. Being a small saving deposit scheme, it was introduced to change the attitude of the community towards the female child at birth and to retain and enroll girl children in schools and assist a girl to take up income generating activities. Fortunately, it is being implemented in both urban and rural areas.
Features and benefits
Each girl is entitled to Rs 500/- post birth and also receives a scholarship for successfully completed years of schooling. The amount of scholarship can be deposited in an interest-bearing account, and the maximum possible rate of interest is ensured. No premature withdrawal is allowed, and it matures when the girl turns 18.
Who can avail?
Newborn babies or infants are included in this scheme. The maximum age limit is 10 years, as per the rules. Two accounts – one for each daughter is allowed in the scheme. In rural areas, children from families below the poverty line are taken into consideration, and in urban areas children living in slum areas, rag pickers, flower sellers, vegetable/ fish sellers, and pavement dwellers are eligible for it.
How to avail?
The account can be opened only by the biological parents of the girl child. The account can be handled by parents or legal guardians. Once the girl turns 18, she has the right to operate the account, and no intervention is required from the parents thereafter. Applications can be obtained from Aanganwadi workers for rural areas and nearest Health Functionaries for urban areas.
3. CBSE Scholarship Scheme
This is one of the recently-launched schemes by the Central govt, awarding a scholarship for single girl child who passes their X Examination from a CBSE affiliated school with 60 per cent marks. This scheme was introduced to identify the efforts of parents in promoting education among girls and to provide a financial boost to deserving and meritorious students.
Features and benefits
Under the scheme, the scholarship will be given to girls who are studying in schools where the tuition fee is less than Rs 1500/- per month. The selected students get a scholarship of Rs 500/- per month. It indirectly promotes the idea to have a single girl child.
Who can avail?
The applicant should be an Indian national, single girl child with 60 per cent marks or 6.2 CGPA in Grade X Exam and will continue their higher education in any of the CBSE affiliated schools. The scholarship of Rs 500/- is paid for a phase of 2 years only. The scholarship payment is made through Demand Draft/ Electronic Clearing Service.
How to avail?
Interested candidates should apply online for CBSE Merit Scholarship for single girl child through the official website. Details such as Certificate Number and Roll Number should be clearly mentioned. Duly filled applications must be enclosed in an envelope and Merit Scholarship for SGC X should be superscribed on it and sent to the CBSE office.
Other than these, there are several other schemes for girl child which are being run by respective state governments to promote girl child and create a level playing field to succeed in life.
