“The Uttar Pradesh government has launched fresh incentives to promote girl child education, targeting higher enrollment and retention in schools. With schemes offering financial aid, scholarships, and infrastructure support, the state aims to bridge the gender gap in education. These initiatives focus on empowering girls, especially from marginalized communities, to pursue quality education and combat social barriers.”
Uttar Pradesh Rolls Out New Schemes for Girl Child Education
The Uttar Pradesh government has introduced a series of incentives to bolster girl child education across the state, addressing persistent challenges like low enrollment, high dropout rates, and societal barriers. Announced in July 2025, these measures aim to empower girls, particularly from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds, by providing financial support, improving school infrastructure, and raising awareness about the importance of educating girls.
One of the flagship initiatives is the Mukhyamantri Balika Shiksha Protsahan Yojana, a state-specific scheme offering financial assistance to families with girls enrolled in government schools. Under this program, parents of girls in Classes 6 to 12 receive an annual stipend of ₹2,000 to ₹5,000, depending on the class level, to cover educational expenses such as uniforms, books, and transportation. The scheme targets families below the poverty line (BPL) and aims to reduce financial burdens that often lead to girls dropping out of school.
Additionally, the state has expanded the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) campaign, initially launched by the central government in 2015, with a renewed focus on Uttar Pradesh’s rural districts. The campaign now includes a ₹3,000 fixed deposit for girls enrolling in Class 9, which can be withdrawn with interest upon completing Class 10 and reaching the age of 18. This initiative, managed by the Department of School Education & Literacy, prioritizes girls from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) communities, who face higher dropout rates due to socio-economic challenges.
To address infrastructure barriers, the UP government has allocated ₹500 crore for the construction of girls’ hostels and sanitation facilities in rural schools. Many girls, especially in remote areas, drop out due to the lack of safe and accessible school facilities. The new budget includes provisions for building 200 new hostels and upgrading sanitation in 1,000 schools by 2026, ensuring safer and more inclusive learning environments.
The state has also launched the Balika Vidya Vahini program, which provides free bicycles to girls in Classes 9 and 10 who live more than 3 kilometers from their schools. This initiative, inspired by similar programs like Bihar’s Cycle Yojana, aims to make schools more accessible and reduce dropout rates caused by long commutes. Early data from a pilot in 10 districts shows a 15% increase in attendance among girls who received bicycles.
Another key component is the Merit-Based Scholarship for Girls, targeting high-achieving students from economically weaker sections. Girls scoring above 75% in their Class 8 exams are eligible for scholarships ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹20,000 annually to support their secondary and higher secondary education. This scheme aims to encourage academic excellence and ensure that financial constraints do not hinder talented girls from pursuing further studies.
The government is also tackling societal barriers through community outreach. In collaboration with NGOs and women’s self-help groups, the state is organizing awareness campaigns to challenge gender norms that discourage girls’ education. These campaigns, conducted in over 500 villages, emphasize the long-term benefits of educating girls, such as higher earnings and better health outcomes for their families. According to UNESCO, each additional year of schooling can increase a girl’s future earnings by up to 20%.
Despite these efforts, challenges remain. A 2019 study by Child Rights and You (CRY) highlighted that 40% of parents in rural areas are unaware of government schemes for girl child education, and many existing programs fail to reach the most marginalized communities. The UP government has responded by launching a digital portal, UP Balika Shiksha, where families can access information about available schemes, eligibility criteria, and application processes. The portal, integrated with the National Scholarship Portal, has already registered 50,000 applications since its launch in June 2025.
Data from the Unified District Information System for Education (U-DISE) 2023-24 shows that Uttar Pradesh has improved its female enrollment rate to 88% at the primary level, but secondary school retention remains a concern, with only 65% of girls completing Class 10. The new incentives aim to push this figure to 80% by 2030, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals for universal education.
Critics, however, point out that implementation gaps could undermine these initiatives. Past schemes like Cycle Yojana have faced issues such as delayed fund disbursal and lack of monitoring. To address this, the UP government has set up a dedicated task force to oversee the rollout of these programs, ensuring timely fund releases and regular audits.
The state’s efforts come at a critical time. A 2024 UNESCO report noted that educating girls yields significant economic benefits, potentially adding billions to India’s GDP. By investing in girl child education, Uttar Pradesh is not only empowering its female population but also laying the foundation for broader socio-economic progress.
Disclaimer: This article is based on recent news, government reports, and credible sources such as UNESCO, U-DISE, and CRY studies. Information is accurate as of August 2025. Readers are advised to verify details through official government portals for the latest updates.