Beti Bachao Beti Padhao — Girl Child Welfare Scheme

What is Beti Bachao Beti Padhao?

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) — meaning "Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter" — is a national initiative launched in January 2015 to address the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) in India and ensure the survival, protection, and education of the girl child. The scheme is jointly implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Ministry of Education.

BBBP is primarily a social awareness and advocacy campaign, not a direct cash transfer scheme. It is linked to the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (a savings scheme for girl children) as the financial component for families who want to save for their daughter's education and marriage.

What BBBP Provides

1. Social Change Campaign:

• Mass media campaigns against gender discrimination, female foeticide, and child marriage
• Community mobilization at Anganwadi and school level
• Celebrating daughters through events, rallies, and Gram Sabhas

2. Government Services Convergence:

• Better implementation of PC-PNDT Act (against sex determination tests)
• Ensuring girls complete education (enrollment and retention in schools)
• Improving health services for women and girl children
• Nutritional support through Anganwadi centers

3. Financial Saving — Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (the key financial benefit): BBBP families are encouraged to open a Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSY) for their daughter. This is a government-backed savings scheme offering:

• 8.2% interest per annum (current rate, revised quarterly)
• Tax benefit under Section 80C
• Account matures when daughter turns 21 (or on marriage after 18)
• Partial withdrawal (up to 50%) allowed when daughter turns 18 for education

Benefits at the Community Level

In BBBP districts, the government focuses on:

• 100% registration of births — particularly girl child births
• Immunization — ensuring all girl children receive complete vaccination
• School enrollment — tracking drop-out prevention for girls
• Sanitation — building separate toilets for girls in schools
• Scholarships — information about state and central scholarships for girls

Who Benefits from BBBP?

• All families with girl children — especially in districts with low Child Sex Ratio
• Pregnant women and mothers — access to prenatal and maternal health services
• Girl students — improved school facilities and tracking to prevent dropout

No formal "application" is needed to participate in BBBP community programs — services are delivered through Anganwadi centers, schools, and health sub-centers.

How to Open Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSY) — Key Financial Component

1. Visit any post office or authorized bank (SBI, PNB, BOB, HDFC, ICICI, etc.)
2. Get the SSY account opening form
3. Fill in: girl child's name, date of birth, parent/guardian details
4. Submit with: girl child's birth certificate + parent's Aadhaar + address proof + photo
5. Make the initial deposit — minimum ₹250 per year, maximum ₹1.5 lakh per year
6. Account is opened in the girl child's name; operated by parents until she turns 18

Key SSY facts:

• One account per girl child; maximum two accounts per family (for twins/triplets exception)
• Deposits earn 8.2% interest (compounded annually)
• Minimum deposit: ₹250 per year; maximum: ₹1.5 lakh per year
• Account closes at age 21 or on marriage after 18

Other Girl Child Schemes Worth Knowing

State governments have their own girl child support schemes alongside BBBP:

Ask your Anganwadi worker or district WCD office about your state's specific schemes.

How to File Complaints Related to BBBP

If you observe:

• Illegal sex determination (sex selective abortion)
• Girl child being denied education
• Discrimination against girl child

Contact:

• POCSO helpline: 1098 (childline — for child protection)
• Women's helpline: 181 (women in distress)
• PC-PNDT complaint: Contact the District Appropriate Authority (typically CMO office)
• National Commission for Women: ncw.nic.in

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a direct cash benefit under BBBP?

BBBP itself does not give cash directly to families. The financial component is the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana — a savings scheme where your money earns high interest (8.2%). Many state governments have separate cash transfer schemes for girl children (see table above).

What is the helpline for BBBP?

You can contact the Ministry of Women and Child Development helpline: 011-23381495 or visit wcd.nic.in. For childline support: 1098.

Can an NRI family open a Sukanya Samriddhi account?

No — Sukanya Samriddhi accounts can only be opened for Indian resident girls. NRI families are not eligible.

Up to what age can I open a Sukanya Samriddhi account?

SSY account must be opened before the girl child turns 10 years old. Once she is 10 or older, the account cannot be opened.

What if the family has two girl children?

A separate SSY account can be opened for each girl child (maximum two accounts per family). If the second birth is twins or triplets, a third account may be permitted.

Can the money be withdrawn before maturity?

Yes — up to 50% of the balance can be withdrawn for higher education expenses once the girl turns 18. Full closure is allowed on marriage after age 18, or at maturity (age 21).

Official Links

• BBBP scheme: wcd.nic.in
• Sukanya Samriddhi: India Post — any post office
• Scheme details: myscheme.gov.in
• Childline: 1098
• Women helpline: 181