Beti Bachao Beti Padhao – Scheme for Girl Child Welfare

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) is a flagship Government of India initiative aimed at addressing the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and promoting the welfare, education, and empowerment of the girl child. The scheme focuses on changing societal mindsets, preventing gender-biased sex selection, and ensuring girls' survival, protection, and education.

What is Beti Bachao Beti Padhao?

BBBP is a tri-ministerial scheme jointly implemented by:

• Ministry of Women and Child Development (nodal ministry)
• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
• Ministry of Education

The scheme operates at national, state, and district levels and focuses on:

• Awareness campaigns against gender-biased sex selection and female foeticide
• Improving Child Sex Ratio at birth through strict enforcement of PC-PNDT Act
• Promoting girl child education — increasing enrolment and reducing dropout rates
• Skill development and empowerment of girls
• Linking families to financial schemes like Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana

Key Objectives

1. Prevent gender-biased sex selective elimination — enforce PC-PNDT Act strictly
2. Ensure survival and protection of the girl child
3. Ensure education and participation of the girl child
4. Improve Child Sex Ratio (target: 918 to 950+ girls per 1,000 boys at birth)
5. Change societal attitudes towards the girl child through awareness

Who Can Benefit?

BBBP is not a direct cash benefit scheme — it is a multi-sectoral action programme. However, it directly and indirectly benefits:

• Girl children (0-18 years) across India
• Pregnant women — through institutional delivery promotion
• Families with girl children — linked to financial schemes
• All districts in India (expanded from initial 100 districts to all 729 districts)

Components and Activities

1. Awareness and Advocacy

• National and local media campaigns
• Community mobilisation — Nukkad Natak, rallies, poster campaigns
• Celebration of National Girl Child Day (24 January)
• Guddi-Gudda boards at panchayat level — public display of birth registrations
• School-based awareness programmes

2. Health Interventions

• Registration of pregnancies within first trimester
• Promoting institutional deliveries
• Monitoring of ultrasound clinics (PC-PNDT Act enforcement)
• Birth registration of all girls
• Immunisation and nutrition for girl children (link with ICDS)

3. Education Interventions

• Improving enrolment of girls in schools (especially secondary)
• Building girls' toilets in schools
• Reducing dropout rates for girls
• Promoting girls in STEM education
• Scholarship linkages

4. Financial Empowerment

• Promoting Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) for girl children
• Opening SSY accounts at Post Offices and banks
• Financial literacy for families

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) – Linked Scheme

SSY is a savings scheme specifically for the girl child, promoted under BBBP:

How to Open SSY Account

1. Visit your nearest Post Office or bank (SBI, PNB, BOB, etc.)
2. Carry the girl child's birth certificate
3. Carry parent/guardian's Aadhaar card and PAN card
4. Fill the SSY account opening form
5. Make the initial deposit (minimum ₹250)
6. Receive the SSY passbook

Impact of BBBP

Documents Required (for SSY Account)

• Girl child's birth certificate
• Parent/guardian's Aadhaar card
• Parent/guardian's PAN card
• Address proof
• Passport-size photographs (parent and child)
• Medical certificate (if required by the institution)

Key Benefits

• Improved Child Sex Ratio — direct impact on preventing sex selection
• Better education outcomes for girls through school enrolment drives
• Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana — high-interest, tax-free savings for daughters
• Health protection — institutional delivery, immunisation, and nutrition
• Societal change — shifting attitudes towards the girl child
• Legal enforcement — stricter monitoring of PC-PNDT Act compliance
• Pan-India coverage — active in all 729 districts

Important Tips

1. Open a Sukanya Samriddhi account for your daughter — it offers one of the highest interest rates among small savings schemes with full tax exemption
2. Register your pregnancy early — first trimester registration ensures proper monitoring and institutional delivery
3. Report sex determination — if any clinic offers illegal sex determination, report to the District Magistrate or call 181 (Women Helpline)
4. Ensure your daughter is enrolled in school — BBBP supports educational access; contact your Block Education Officer for assistance
5. Participate in BBBP activities — attend community awareness events and help change attitudes in your neighbourhood

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Beti Bachao Beti Padhao a cash benefit scheme?

No. BBBP is primarily an awareness and advocacy programme. However, it promotes financial schemes like Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana which provide direct financial benefits.

What is the age limit for Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana?

The girl child must be below 10 years of age at the time of account opening. The account matures after 21 years or upon marriage after age 18.

How many SSY accounts can I open?

A family can open a maximum of 2 SSY accounts — one for each daughter. In case of twins/triplets as second birth, a third account may be allowed with a certificate.

Is BBBP available in all states?

Yes. BBBP has been expanded to cover all 729 districts across India, covering every state and union territory.

How can I report sex-selective practices?

Call the Women Helpline — 181 or contact the District Magistrate's office. You can also report to the State Appropriate Authority under the PC-PNDT Act.

What interest rate does SSY offer?

As of FY 2024-25, SSY offers 8.2% per annum, which is among the highest for government small savings schemes. The rate is revised quarterly.

This guide is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with the Government of India. For official details, visit wcd.nic.in or call the Women Helpline at 181.