Introduction
The Delhi government has unveiled a new welfare initiative called the Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana to strengthen financial support for girls’ education from early childhood through graduation. Announced on February 10, 2026, this scheme is designed to replace and upgrade the long‑standing Ladli Scheme with a larger, more structured benefit package to reduce dropout rates and promote educational continuity among girls from economically weaker families.
What Is the Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana?
The Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana is a long‑term financial assistance programme that provides phased monetary support linked to key educational and age milestones in a girl’s life. The assistance is structured to accumulate over time, with periodic deposits made directly into a beneficiary’s Aadhaar‑linked bank account.
Under this scheme:
- The government will deposit a total of up to ₹56,000 in instalments during schooling years.
- With accrued interest, the savings are expected to mature to over ₹1 lakh by the time the girl completes her education or reaches adulthood.
The intent is to provide sustainable financial support that motivates families to keep daughters in school and support their progression into higher education levels.
How Financial Support Is Disbursed
The monetary deposits are made in phases, tied to the girl’s educational journey:
Milestone
Amount (₹)
At birth
11,000
Admission to Class I
5,000
Admission to Class VI
5,000
Admission to Classes IX, X & XII
5,000 each
After completing graduation or diploma
20,000
Total periodic deposits sum up to ₹56,000, and with interest earned over time, the final amount deposited into the beneficiary’s account is expected to exceed ₹1 lakh by the time she becomes eligible to withdraw the funds.
Eligibility Criteria
The scheme is aimed at girls who meet the following conditions:
- Born in Delhi: The beneficiary must be a girl child born in the National Capital.
- Residency: The family must have lived in delhi for at least three years.
- Income Limit: Annual family income should not exceed roughly ₹1 – 1.2 lakh.
- Two Children Limit: Benefits can be availed for up to two daughters per family.
Registration can be done within one year of birth or later at critical education stages such as admission to Class I, VI, IX, XI, or recognised graduation/diploma programmes.
Maturity and Withdrawal Rules
Beneficiaries can access the accumulated amount when:
- They complete Class 12 and reach 18 years of age, or
- They complete their graduation or diploma course and turn 21, whichever comes first.
If an eligible girl fails to complete prescribed education milestones by the specified age, the money deposited (with interest) will be returned to the government.
Why the Scheme Matters
The Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana seeks to address several key challenges:
- Reduce Dropouts: Financial constraints are a common reason girls discontinue schooling, especially at crucial transition stages.
- Boost Higher Education: Providing support through graduation aims to incentivise families to invest in long‑term education.
- Digital and Transparent: Payments are directly transferred to beneficiaries’ Aadhaar‑linked bank accounts, aiming to eliminate delays and leakage in disbursement.
- Empowerment: It reinforces the message that investing in girls’ education has lasting social and economic benefits.
The scheme is set to be fully rolled out starting April 1 2026, with an initial budget allocation of around ₹160 crore and provisions to incorporate unclaimed funds from the previous system.
Transition from the Old Ladli Scheme
Launched in 2008, the Ladli Scheme provided smaller, milestone‑linked deposits for girls but faced implementation gaps and unclaimed funds due to documentation and procedural delays. Under the new framework, authorities have identified thousands of beneficiaries with pending funds and begun disbursing long‑overdue amounts worth hundreds of crores.
Conclusion
The Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana represents an ambitious upgrade to Delhi’s women and child welfare efforts, offering substantial financial security from birth through higher education for girls from economically weaker families. By tying financial support to educational milestones and ensuring transparent, direct transfers, the scheme aims to reduce dropout rates and empower young women to pursue education and future opportunities confidently.
Disclaimer:
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