Delhi Government Unveils Major Upgrade to Ladli Scheme with New Lakhpati Bitiya Yojna
In a significant move to bolster financial security and educational opportunities for girls from economically weaker sections, the Delhi government has announced a comprehensive upgrade to its longstanding Ladli Scheme. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta revealed on Tuesday that the revamped initiative, named the Delhi Lakhpati Bitiya Yojna, will be launched in April 2026, with an estimated implementation cost of Rs 160 crore.
Enhanced Financial Support and Clear Backlog Focus
The new scheme aims to provide substantially increased financial assistance, offering up to Rs 56,000 per beneficiary, compared to the previous annual payout of Rs 36,000 under the 2008 Ladli Scheme. This amount will be deposited in phased installments linked to key educational and age-related milestones, starting from birth and continuing through graduation or diploma-level studies. CM Gupta emphasized that the primary objective is to clear a significant backlog, stating, "When we came to power, we learnt that more than 1.86 lakh maturity accounts were lying unclaimed, meaning the money meant for our daughters did not reach them on time."
Progress in Disbursing Funds and Expanding Reach
To address this issue, the government has already made substantial progress. Last year, approximately 30,000 beneficiaries were identified, and Rs 90 crore has been disbursed to them. Gupta added that an additional 41,000 beneficiaries have now been identified, with Rs 100 crore set to be released shortly. In total, Rs 190 crore is being delivered to rightful recipients, ensuring that funds reach girls who were previously overlooked.
Key Features and Eligibility Modifications
The Delhi Lakhpati Bitiya Yojna introduces several enhancements to ensure broader inclusion and efficiency:
- Financial support will be provided to two girls per family, up from previous limits.
- Eligibility conditions have been relaxed, particularly for girls residing in child care institutions under government protection, to include more vulnerable beneficiaries.
- The entire process, from application to payment, will be fully online, eliminating the need for beneficiaries to visit government offices and streamlining access.
- Funds will be released directly into the beneficiary's Aadhaar-linked bank account upon maturity, ensuring secure and timely transfers.
Milestone-Based Deposits and Long-Term Goals
Under the original Ladli Scheme, deposits were made at specific stages: Rs 11,000 at birth in hospitals, Rs 10,000 at birth in homes, and Rs 5,000 each upon admission to classes 1, 6, and 9, as well as upon clearing classes 10 and 12. The upgraded scheme builds on this structure but with increased amounts and a focus on continuous support through higher education. CM Gupta highlighted that the initiative aims to prevent girls from discontinuing their education due to financial constraints while creating a long-term savings corpus that matures as they achieve key academic milestones.
Government's Commitment to Empowerment
Expressing personal dedication to the scheme, Gupta stated, "This is one of the schemes of our government that is very close to my heart. It shows our commitment towards ensuring that every girl, every daughter of Delhi gets an opportunity to reach her full potential." She further noted that the scheme sends a clear message: the Delhi government views its daughters not as a burden but as a strength of society and the nation.
With the launch of the Delhi Lakhpati Bitiya Yojna, the government aims to transform the educational landscape for girls in the capital, fostering empowerment and financial independence through structured support.
