Lek Ladki Yojana 2025 | Maharashtra Lek Ladki Scheme | Lek Ladki Yojana apply online | Girl child scheme Maharashtra | ₹1 Lakh scheme for girl child | Lek Ladki Yojana online form | How to apply for Lek Ladki Yojana 2025
The Maharashtra Lek Ladki Yojana 2025 is a transformative initiative by the Maharashtra government aimed at empowering girls from economically disadvantaged families by providing financial support from birth until they reach the age of 18. Launched to address critical issues such as female foeticide, early marriages, and school dropouts due to financial constraints, this scheme is a cornerstone of the state’s commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment. By offering phased financial assistance totaling ₹1,01,000, the Lek Ladki Yojana ensures that girls have the resources to pursue education and build a brighter future. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the scheme, including its eligibility criteria, benefits, application process, and its broader impact on society.
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Introduction to Lek Ladki Yojana
The Maharashtra Lek Ladki Yojana, also known as the "Dear Daughter Scheme," was officially announced in the state’s 2023-24 budget by Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Implemented from April 1, 2023, under the supervision of the Women and Child Development Department, the scheme aims to provide financial support to girls born into families holding yellow or orange ration cards, which signify low-income households. The initiative replaces and builds upon the earlier Majhi Kanya Bhagyashree Yojana, with a renewed focus on increasing female birth rates, promoting education, reducing child marriages, and addressing malnutrition.
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| Lek Ladki Yojana |
The scheme’s primary objective is to alleviate the financial burden on families, ensuring that girls can complete their education without interruptions. By providing monetary support at key milestones in a girl’s life, the government seeks to empower girls to become self-reliant and contribute meaningfully to society. The Lek Ladki Yojana is a bold step toward changing societal attitudes toward female children and fostering gender equality in Maharashtra.
Lek Ladki Yojana 2025 Hghlights
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Launch Date | April 1, 2023 |
| Objective | Empower girls by promoting education, preventing child marriages, reducing female foeticide, and improving health and nutrition. |
| Financial Assistance |
₹1,01,000 total, disbursed in five phases: - ₹5,000 (at birth) - ₹6,000 (Class 1) - ₹7,000 (Class 6) - ₹8,000 (Class 11) - ₹75,000 (at age 18) |
| Eligibility |
- Girls born on/after April 1, 2023 - Family income ≤ ₹1,00,000 with yellow/orange ration card - Maharashtra residents - Covers one or two daughters (twins eligible) |
| Family Planning | Certificate required for third installment (first child) or second installment (second child) |
| Disbursement | Via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to beneficiary’s bank account |
| Application Process | Offline at Anganwadi Centers, Aaple Sarkar Seva Kendras; online portal under development |
| Verification | By Anganwadi workers/supervisors; applications digitized for transparency |
| 2025 Updates | Intensified awareness campaigns, ongoing digitization, no changes to financial structure |
| Contact | Helpline: 022-22027050 Website:www.womenchild.maharashtra.gov.in/ |
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Objectives of the Scheme
The Lek Ladki Yojana is designed with several key objectives to uplift girls from economically weaker sections:
- Encouraging Female Births: By offering financial incentives at birth, the scheme aims to reduce female foeticide and promote a positive attitude toward the birth of girl children.
- Promoting Education: Financial aid at various educational milestones ensures that girls can continue their schooling without dropping out due to economic pressures.
- Preventing Child Marriages: By providing support until the age of 18, the scheme discourages early marriages, allowing girls to complete their education and achieve financial independence.
- Reducing Malnutrition and Infant Mortality: The financial assistance helps families meet the nutritional and healthcare needs of girls, contributing to their overall well-being.
- Empowering Girls: The scheme fosters economic and social empowerment by enabling girls to pursue higher education and career opportunities.
Updates on Maharashtra Lek Ladki Yojana in 2025
In 2025, the Maharashtra Lek Ladki Yojana, launched on April 1, 2023, continues to empower girls from low-income families with yellow or orange ration cards (income ≤ ₹1,00,000). The scheme provides ₹1,01,000 in five phases: ₹5,000 at birth, ₹6,000 (Class 1), ₹7,000 (Class 6), ₹8,000 (Class 11), and ₹75,000 at age 18, disbursed via Direct Benefit Transfer. It targets girls born on or after April 1, 2023, covering one or two daughters per family, with twins eligible. A family planning certificate is required for later installments. Applications remain offline through Anganwadi Centers and Aaple Sarkar Seva Kendras, but an online portal is under development.
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Verification by Anganwadi workers ensures transparency, with digitized records. Awareness campaigns have intensified to reach rural areas, addressing challenges like document access and disbursement delays. The scheme promotes girls’ education, prevents child marriages, reduces female foeticide, and improves health outcomes. No changes to core objectives or financial structure have been reported, though some sources misstate installment amounts. Check https://womenchild.maharashtra.gov.in/ or call 022-22027050 for updates.
Features of Maharashtra Lek Ladki Yojana 2025
Total Financial Aid:
₹1,01,000 given in five stages:
- ₹5,000 at birth.
- ₹6,000 at Class 1 admission.
- ₹7,000 at Class 6 admission.
- ₹8,000 at Class 11 admission.
- ₹75,000 at age 18.
- Milestone-Based Support: Funds provided at key stages for education and growth.
- Target Group: Girls from low-income families (income ≤ ₹1,00,000) with yellow/orange ration cards.
- Eligibility: For girls born on or after April 1, 2023.
- Family Coverage: Supports one or two daughters; twin girls eligible; only daughters in families with one son and one daughter qualify.
- Family Planning: Certificate needed for later installments (third for first child, second for second child).
- Direct Payment: Funds transferred via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to bank accounts.
- Education Focus: Encourages girls’ schooling, reduces dropouts, and supports higher education.
- Prevents Child Marriage: ₹75,000 at 18 promotes delayed marriages and independence.
- Tackles Social Issues: Reduces female foeticide, malnutrition, and infant mortality.
- Application: Offline via Anganwadi Centers/CSCs; online portal under development.
- Verification: Done by Anganwadi workers; uploaded online for transparency.
- Free Forms: No cost for application forms.
- Health Support: ₹5,000 at birth aids healthcare and nutrition.
- Statewide Reach: Covers all of Maharashtra, rural and urban areas.
- Government Support: Managed by Women and Child Development Department.
- Helpline: Call 022-22027050 for assistance.
Eligibility Criteria
To ensure that the benefits of the Lek Ladki Yojana reach the intended beneficiaries, the Maharashtra government has outlined specific eligibility criteria:
- Residency: The beneficiary’s family must be permanent residents of Maharashtra. Proof of residency, such as a domicile certificate or ration card, is required.
- Income Limit: The annual family income should not exceed ₹1,00,000. This ensures that the scheme targets economically disadvantaged households.
- Ration Card: The family must possess a yellow or orange ration card, which are issued to low-income households in Maharashtra. Yellow ration cards are typically for families earning above ₹15,000 annually, while orange ration cards are for those earning between ₹15,000 and ₹1,00,000.
- Birth Date: The scheme applies to girls born on or after April 1, 2023. This retrospective implementation ensures that newborns from this date onward are covered.
- Family Composition: The scheme is applicable to one or two daughters in a family. If a family has one son and one daughter, only the daughter is eligible. In the case of twin girls, both are eligible for benefits.
- Family Planning Requirement: For families with two children, parents must submit a family planning certificate when applying for the third installment for the first child or the second installment for the second child. If twins are born during a second delivery, one or both girls are eligible, but parents must undergo family planning surgery afterward.
- These criteria ensure that the scheme targets families who face financial challenges, enabling them to support their daughters’ education and well-being.
Financial Benefits of the Scheme
The Lek Ladki Yojana provides financial assistance totaling ₹1,01,000, disbursed in five phases based on key milestones in a girl’s life. The phased distribution ensures that families receive support at critical stages, from birth to adulthood. The breakdown of the financial aid is as follows:
- At Birth: ₹5,000 is provided to the family upon the birth of a girl child. This initial support helps cover immediate expenses related to healthcare and nutrition.
- Class 1 Admission: When the girl enrolls in the first grade, the family receives ₹6,000 to support her early education expenses, such as books, uniforms, and school fees.
- Class 6 Admission: Upon entering the sixth grade, the family is granted ₹7,000 to aid in continuing her education during the transition to middle school.
- Class 11 Admission: When the girl reaches the eleventh grade, ₹8,000 is provided to support her higher secondary education, which is a critical stage for future career prospects.
- Age 18: Upon turning 18, the girl receives a lump sum of ₹75,000. This substantial amount can be used for higher education, vocational training, or other avenues to achieve financial independence.
Benefits of the Scheme
The Lek Ladki Yojana offers a range of benefits that extend beyond financial assistance, creating a ripple effect in society:
- Educational Empowerment: By providing funds at key educational stages, the scheme reduces dropout rates among girls, enabling them to complete their schooling and pursue higher education.
- Economic Support: The financial aid alleviates the burden on low-income families, allowing them to invest in their daughters’ education and well-being without compromising other essential expenses.
- Delayed Marriages: The promise of a significant lump sum at age 18 encourages families to delay marriages until girls complete their education, fostering independence and career opportunities.
- Social Change: By incentivizing the birth of girls and supporting their development, the scheme challenges negative societal attitudes toward female children, reducing practices like female foeticide.
- Health and Nutrition: The financial support enables families to provide better healthcare and nutrition to girls, contributing to lower infant mortality and malnutrition rates.
Required Documents
To apply for the Lek Ladki Yojana, families must submit the following documents to verify eligibility and facilitate the application process:
- Birth Certificate: Proof of the girl’s birth, confirming she was born on or after April 1, 2023.
- Aadhaar Card: Aadhaar cards of the girl (if available) and her parents for identification purposes. The Aadhaar requirement for the first installment may be relaxed.
- Ration Card: A photocopy of the family’s yellow or orange ration card.
- Income Certificate: Issued by a competent authority (e.g., Tahsildar), confirming that the family’s annual income does not exceed ₹1,00,000.
- Residence Proof: A document such as a domicile certificate, voter ID, or ration card to prove residency in Maharashtra.
- Bank Account Details: A photocopy of the first page of the bank passbook for DBT transfers.
- Passport-Size Photograph: A photograph of the girl with her parents.
- School Certificate: For installments related to educational milestones (Class 1, 6, and 11), a school certificate confirming enrollment is required.
- Family Planning Certificate: Required for later installments to ensure compliance with family planning conditions.
- V voter ID: For the final installment at age 18, proof that the girl is listed in the voter list.
- Self-Declaration: A statement confirming that the girl unmarried when applying for the final installment.
These documents must be submitted accurately to avoid delays in processing the application.
Application Process
As of July 2025, the application process for the Lek Ladki Yojana is primarily offline, with forms available at designated centers. However, the Maharashtra government is working on integrating the scheme with digital platforms like the Aaple Sarkar Seva Kendra for online applications in the future. Here’s how to apply offline:
- Obtain the Application Form: Forms are available free of cost at:Anganwadi Centers
- District Program Officer’s Office
- District Women and Child Development Officer’s Office
- Rural and Urban Child Development Project Officer’s Office
- Divisional Deputy Commissioner’s Office (Women and Child Development)
- Fill Out the Form: Complete the application form with accurate details about the girl and her family.
- Attach Documents: Compile and attach all required documents as per the checklist provided with the form.
- Submit the Application: Submit the completed form and documents to the nearest Anganwadi Center, Common Service Center (CSC), or Aaple Sarkar Seva Kendra.
- Verification Process: The eligibility of the applicant is verified by Anganwadi workers, supervisors, or other designated authorities. Once verified, the application is uploaded to the online portal for processing.
- Track Application Status: Beneficiaries can check the status of their application at the nearest Anganwadi Center or through updates provided by the Women and Child Development Department.
For updates on the online application process, families should regularly check the official Women and Child Development Department website or the Aaple Sarkar portal.
Future Prospects
While the Lek Ladki Yojana is a promising initiative, its implementation faces certain challenges:
- Awareness: Many eligible families, especially in rural areas, may not be aware of the scheme or its application process. The government must invest in awareness campaigns to ensure maximum reach.
- Document Accessibility: Families may face difficulties in obtaining required documents, such as income certificates or Aadhaar cards, due to bureaucratic hurdles.
- Digital Transition: The shift to an online application process, while convenient, may exclude families with limited access to digital infrastructure or literacy.
- Fund Disbursement: Timely disbursement of funds is critical to ensuring that families can utilize the aid effectively.
To address these challenges, the government is working on digitizing the application process and collaborating with Anganwadi workers and local authorities to streamline verification and disbursement. The scheme’s success will depend on its ability to reach the most marginalized communities and deliver on its promises.
Impact on Society
The Lek Ladki Yojana has the potential to create a lasting impact on Maharashtra’s social and economic landscape:
- Increased Female Literacy: By supporting girls’ education, the scheme will contribute to higher literacy rates and better career opportunities for women.
- Gender Equality: Financial incentives for girls challenge traditional gender norms, promoting equality and reducing discrimination against female children.
- Economic Upliftment: Educated women are more likely to contribute to the economy, breaking the cycle of poverty in their families.
- Reduced Social Evils: By discouraging child marriages and female foeticide, the scheme fosters a safer and more equitable society for girls.
Conclusion
The Maharashtra Lek Ladki Yojana 2025 is a visionary scheme that places girls at the heart of the state’s development agenda. By providing financial support of ₹1,01,000 in phases, the initiative ensures that girls from low-income families have the resources to pursue education, achieve independence, and contribute to society. With clear eligibility criteria, a structured application process, and a focus on empowerment, the scheme is a significant step toward gender equality and social change. Families are encouraged to stay informed about the application process through official channels and take advantage of this opportunity to secure a brighter future for their daughters. The Lek Ladki Yojana is not just a financial aid program—it is a movement to uplift and empower the girls of Maharashtra, ensuring they have the tools to shape their own destinies.
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Maharashtra Lek Ladki Yojana 2025
Q. What is the Maharashtra Lek Ladki Yojana?
The Lek Ladki Yojana is a scheme by the Maharashtra government to provide financial assistance of ₹1,01,000 to girls from low-income families, supporting their education and empowerment from birth to age 18.
Q. Who is eligible for the scheme?
- Girls born on or after April 1, 2023.
- Families with an annual income ≤ ₹1,00,000 and yellow/orange ration cards.
- Permanent residents of Maharashtra.
- Applies to one or two daughters (twins eligible; only daughters in families with one son and one daughter).
Q. What are the financial benefits? ₹5,000 at birth.
- ₹6,000 upon Class 1 admission.
- ₹7,000 upon Class 6 admission.
- ₹8,000 upon Class 11 admission.
- ₹75,000 at age 18.
Q. How can I apply for the scheme?
Applications are currently offline at Anganwadi Centers, Common Service Centers, or Aaple Sarkar Seva Kendras. An online portal is under development; check https://womenchild.maharashtra.gov.in/ for updates.
What documents are required?
- Birth certificate.
- Aadhaar cards (parents and girl, if available).
- Yellow/orange ration card.
- Income certificate.
- Residence proof.
- Bank passbook copy.
- Passport-size photo.
- School certificate (for educational milestones).
- Family planning certificate (for later installments).
Q. Is there an online application process?
Not yet; it’s offline for now, but the government is working on an online option via the Aaple Sarkar portal.
Q. What is the helpline number?
Contact 022-22027050 for assistance.
Q. Can twins benefit from the scheme?
Yes, both twin girls are eligible if born after April 1, 2023, provided parents submit a family planning certificate.
Q. When was the scheme launched?
It was launched on April 1, 2023, with formal implementation via a Government Resolution dated October 30, 2023.