Delhi’s Ladli Scheme 2.0 enhances financial support for girls’ education, offering up to ₹11,000 at key academic milestones to promote gender equality and reduce dropout rates. Managed by SBI Life Insurance, the scheme targets economically weaker families, ensuring girls’ social and economic empowerment. Recent updates focus on increasing outreach and clearing unclaimed benefits to maximize impact.
Empowering Delhi’s Girls Through Ladli Scheme 2.0
Launched on January 1, 2008, by the Department of Women and Child Development, Government of NCT of Delhi, the Delhi Ladli Scheme has been a cornerstone in promoting girls’ education and empowerment. The revamped Ladli Scheme 2.0 builds on this legacy, aiming to provide enhanced financial assistance to girls from economically weaker sections, ensuring they stay in school and pursue higher education. The scheme addresses critical social issues like female foeticide, gender discrimination, and low sex ratios by offering monetary support at various educational milestones.
Under Ladli Scheme 2.0, financial aid is provided through term deposits managed by State Bank Life Insurance Co. Ltd. (SBIL). Girls born in Delhi receive ₹11,000 for institutional delivery or ₹10,000 for home delivery, provided the family’s annual income does not exceed ₹1 lakh. Additional payments of ₹5,000 are deposited at key academic stages: admission to Classes 1, 6, 9, 11, and 12. These funds, held as fixed deposits, mature with interest when the girl reaches 18 and has passed Class 10, potentially accumulating up to ₹1 lakh, depending on the registration stage.
Recent updates highlight the scheme’s efforts to address implementation challenges. A 2022 Comptroller and Auditor General report noted that the scheme, operational for 16 years, had not been reviewed as mandated every two years, leading to unclaimed benefits. In 2023-24, the number of new beneficiaries dropped to 36,993 from 64,408 the previous year, a 42% decline, with unclaimed funds posing a significant hurdle. Navlendra Kumar Singh, Additional Director of WCD, emphasized ongoing efforts to clear these benefits and enhance outreach through awareness campaigns and streamlined application processes.
Eligibility requires the girl to be born in Delhi, with parents residing in the city for at least three years and an annual family income below ₹1 lakh. Applications can be submitted within one year of birth or during school admissions at recognized government or MCD/NDMC schools. Required documents include a birth certificate, proof of residency, and an income certificate or affidavit. The application process has been simplified with online options via the Delhi Government’s e-District Portal, alongside offline submissions at WCD offices or SBI branches.
The scheme’s impact is evident in its reach, with over 36,000 girls enrolled in 2023-24, though declining enrollment numbers signal a need for greater awareness. Ladli Scheme 2.0 also aligns with broader national initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, reinforcing its role in promoting gender equality. By linking financial aid to educational milestones, the scheme encourages families to prioritize girls’ schooling, reducing dropout rates and fostering social inclusion.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information from government websites, recent news reports, and official statements from the Department of Women and Child Development, Delhi. Data on beneficiary numbers and unclaimed benefits is sourced from reports by The Times of India and other credible outlets. For the latest updates, refer to wcd.delhi.gov.in.