Delhi replaces Ladli scheme with Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana, promises ₹1 lakh support for girls’ education

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced a new financial support scheme for girls, titled Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana, which will come into effect from April 1. The programme will replace the existing Ladli Yojana, launched in 2008, and aims to strengthen both educational continuity and financial security for girls from low-income families.

The government has made it clear that the central goal of the scheme is simple: no girl in Delhi should have to leave school because of financial constraints.

Here is a clear explainer on what the scheme offers and who can benefit.

What is the Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana?

Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana is a long-term financial assistance scheme for girls born into economically weaker families in Delhi. Under this programme, the Delhi government will deposit ₹56,000 in different stages of a girl’s academic journey. Adding the interest over time, the fund is expected to increase to an amount of ₹1 lakh.

The amount will be credited to the girl’s Aadhaar-enabled account. The final amount will be available to the girl when:

• Turns 21 years old, or
• Completes her graduation or diploma, whichever is earlier.

By making the final payment dependent upon conditions related to higher education or adulthood, the government is seeking to motivate families to support their girls.

How will the money be given?

The assistance will be released in phases tied to key academic milestones:

• ₹11,000 at the time of birth
• ₹5,000 on admission to Class 1
• ₹5,000 each on admission to Classes 6, 9, 10, and 12
• ₹20,000 after completing graduation or a diploma

When these deposits accumulate with interest, the total is projected to reach approximately ₹1 lakh. This phased structure ensures continued support at important stages when dropout risks often increase.

Who is eligible?

The scheme will apply to girls who meet the following conditions:

• Must be born in Delhi
• Family must have lived in Delhi for at least three years
• Annual family income should not exceed ₹1 lakh
• Only two daughters per family can receive benefits

Even if a beneficiary chooses to pursue graduation or a diploma outside Delhi, she will still receive the final payout.

The income cap and residency requirement are meant to ensure that the benefits reach families with genuine financial need.

What about the Old Ladli Scheme?

With the introduction of Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana, the Ladli Yojana will be discontinued. The Chief Minister acknowledged that under the earlier scheme, funds in several accounts remained unclaimed or pending due to documentation gaps and other procedural issues.

The government has started a campaign to identify such beneficiaries. A large portion of pending amounts has already been released, and efforts are ongoing to clear remaining cases.

What is the broader aim?

Access to higher education is limited within low-income families. The government thus links financial incentives to school enrolment and completion of higher studies to strengthen educational retention among girls across Delhi.

The success of the scheme will, in fact, be measured by how smoothly it is implemented, whether the amounts are paid on time, and whether families are clearly communicated with. If done well, the Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana has the potential to give thousands of girls sustained support from birth to graduation, setting them up for life.
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