Savitribai Phule Kishori Samridhi Yojana Jharkhand: Scholarship for Girls

Savitribai Phule Kishori Samridhi Yojana is a girls' empowerment scheme by the Jharkhand government that provides financial assistance to girls from economically weaker families. The scheme offers up to ₹40,000 in multiple instalments from Class 8 to the age of 18, encouraging girls to continue their education and discouraging child marriage.

What is Savitribai Phule Kishori Samridhi Yojana?

Named after the pioneering Indian social reformer Savitribai Phule, this scheme replaced the earlier Mukhyamantri Sukanya Yojana. It provides staged financial assistance to girls enrolled in school, with a larger amount at age 18 to support higher education or skill development. The scheme is managed by the Department of Women, Child Development and Social Security, Jharkhand.

Benefit Structure

Who is Eligible?

• The girl must be a permanent resident of Jharkhand
• Must be enrolled in a government or government-aided school
• Family must be listed in the SECC 2011 (Socio-Economic Caste Census) database
• Family should be from economically weaker sections (BPL or ration card holder)
• The girl must be unmarried at the time of claiming each instalment
• Must have an Aadhaar card
• Must have a bank account or post office account in her name

Documents Required

• Aadhaar card of the girl
• Birth certificate
• School enrolment certificate / ID card
• Bank account passbook (in girl's name)
• SECC ration card / BPL card of the family
• Passport-size photograph
• Income certificate (if required)
• Declaration of being unmarried (self-declaration or from school)

Step-by-Step Application Process

How to Apply

The application is typically facilitated through the school and Anganwadi centres:

1. Contact the school — the school headmaster or Anganwadi worker initiates the process
2. Submit documents — provide Aadhaar, bank details, school certificate, and other required documents to the school
3. Verification — the Block Development Officer and Child Development Project Officer verify the application
4. Approval — approved applications are forwarded for payment processing
5. DBT Transfer — the amount for each stage is transferred to the girl's bank account
6. Annual renewal — for each class/stage, the school updates the beneficiary's status

For the ₹20,000 at Age 18

1. The girl must be unmarried at 18
2. Apply through the District Social Welfare Office or designated portal
3. Submit proof of age (Aadhaar/birth certificate) and unmarried status declaration
4. The ₹20,000 is credited to her bank account after verification

Fees

There are no fees to apply. The entire scheme is free.

Processing Time

• School-level processing: 1-2 months
• Verification and approval: 1-2 months
• DBT transfer: Within 1 month of approval
• Total: 2-4 months per instalment

Important Tips

1. Open a bank account early — girls should have a savings account in their name before Class 8
2. Ensure SECC listing — your family must be in the SECC 2011 database. Check with the Panchayat office
3. Stay enrolled in school — dropping out of school makes you ineligible for future instalments
4. Marriage before 18 disqualifies — if the girl marries before 18, the ₹20,000 final instalment is forfeited
5. Keep documents updated — ensure Aadhaar, school records, and bank details are consistent

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can girls in private schools avail this scheme?

No, only girls enrolled in government or government-aided schools are eligible.

Q2: What if a girl fails a class? Does she lose the benefit?

She can still receive the benefit when she passes and moves to the next eligible class. However, dropping out entirely makes her ineligible.

Q3: Is this scheme available for all castes?

Yes, the scheme is available for girls from all castes provided the family meets the economic criteria (SECC 2011 listing).

Q4: Can a family get benefits for more than one daughter?

Yes, up to two daughters per family can avail of this scheme.

Q5: What happens if the girl gets married between Class 12 and turning 18?

If the girl marries before age 18, she loses the ₹20,000 final instalment. Child marriage also has legal consequences under PCMA.

Q6: Is this different from Maiyan Samman Yojana?

Yes, Maiyan Samman Yojana provides monthly financial assistance to adult women. Savitribai Phule Kishori Samridhi is specifically for school-going girls from Class 8 to age 18.

Q7: Who manages this scheme at the district level?

The District Social Welfare Officer and Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) manage the scheme at the district level.

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. CitizenNest is an independent platform and is not affiliated with the Jharkhand government. Visit the official Jharkhand government portal for latest updates.

Related: See our Jharkhand Maiyan Samman Yojana guide for women's financial assistance scheme.