Govt notifies Lakhpati Bitiya Scheme, will replace Ladli plan from today

In a move that seeks to boost financial mettle of women, the Delhi Government has replaced the long-running Delhi Ladli Scheme, 2008 with a new Delhi “Lakhpati Bitiya Scheme” which will take effect from Wednesday (April 1).

The new scheme notified on Tuesday is based on education milestone linked financial incentives for a girl child from her birth to graduation by when the aim is to make her a lakhpati - with disbursement of Rs 1 lakh.

The scheme specifically aims to address the challenge of early dropout rate among girl children.

Eligibility

The scheme sets clear condirions for eligibility. The girl child must have been born in Delhi, with birth certificate issued by Registrar of Births and Deaths as proof. Her family must have been a bonafide Delhi resident for at least three years preceding the date of application. Her family's annual family income must not exceed Rs 1.20 lakh. The benefit is limited to two girl children per family. The girl child must currently be enrolled in any government or government-recognised school in Delhi.

Girls pursuing higher education (polytechnic courses, ITI programmes, diploma courses and graduation) anywhere in India at any government-recognised institution are also eligible.

Importantly to avail benefits the girl child must remain unmarried until 18 years. If she marries before, her eligibility is discontinued and accumulated funds have to be returned to the government. This provision seeks to deter child marriage.

Financial incentives

At the time of birth, the family will get Rs 11,000 deposited in the girl child's name. This amount can be redeemed when she turns 18 or 21 years of age. When admitted to Class I, Rs 5,000 is deposited; another Rs 5,000 when she enters Class VI; Class IX admission brings another Rs 5,000. When she moves to Class XI or enters a Polytechnic or ITI after passing Class X, Rs 5,000 is deposited. Another Rs 5,000 is added on admission to Class XII. For one-year professional diploma, Rs 10,000 is provided; for two-year professional diploma, Rs 20,000 is deposited in two instalments of Rs 10,000 each. For a three-year professional diploma or a three-year graduation programme, Rs 20,000 is provided spread across three years — Rs 5,000 in the first year, Rs 5,000 in the second and Rs 10,000 in the third.

For a four-year graduation programme, the total financial assistance is Rs 25,000, distributed as Rs 5,000 each in the first three years and Rs 10,000 in the final year.

All higher education allocations can only be redeemed after the girl child turns 21 years and completes her course. Premature withdrawal is barred.

For vulnerable girls

Girls in government-run and licenced Child Care Institutions in Delhi — orphans and children without family support where the state is the guardian, the conditions of three years of Delhi residence and the family income limit have been waived. Even the requirement of being born in Delhi has been relaxed. The in-charge of the Child Care Institution serves as the guardian and the girl's Aadhaar card along with the in-charge's Aadhaar card are treated as the required documents.

Immunisation must

The scheme links benefits to mandatory completion of prescribed immunisation. All applying from April 1, 2026, must have completed their age-appropriate vaccinations as per government norms, the notification states.

If a beneficiary fails to produce a certified immunisation record from a competent health authority, her application will be disqualified, and the accumulated maturity amount will be returned to the government. This provision incentivises families to ensure that their daughters are fully vaccinated, thereby improving the overall health outcomes of girl children, while simultaneously using the financial instrument of the scheme to encourage compliance with the government's immunisation programmes.