Content:
- Investing in Her Future
- Empowering India’s Daughters
Investing in Her Future
The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) has completed a decade since its launch on 22nd January 2015. As part of the larger Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Campaign, SSY focuses on securing the financial and social empowerment of young girls in India.
This initiative has opened over 4.1 crore accounts (as of November 2024), symbolizing societal progress toward gender equity and economic inclusion.
Relevance : GS 2(Governance ,Schemes)
Features of Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
- Eligibility
- Accounts can be opened for a girl child aged below 10 years.
- Only one account per child is allowed; however, exceptions are made for twins or triplets.
- The account remains valid as long as the child is a resident Indian until maturity or closure.
- Account Opening Process
- Can be opened at any post office or designated bank branch.
- Requires documents such as a birth certificate, identity proof, and residence proof.
- Deposits
- Minimum annual deposit: ₹250.
- Maximum annual deposit: ₹1.5 lakh.
- Deposits can be made for 15 years from the account opening date.
- Interest Rate and Calculation
- Interest is calculated monthly and credited annually.
- Ensures consistency in financial growth regardless of account office transfers.
- Maturity
- The account matures 21 years after opening or earlier in case of the account holder’s marriage (minimum age: 18 years).
- Withdrawals
- Up to 50% of the balance can be withdrawn for education after the account holder turns 18 or completes the 10th standard.
- Premature Closure
- Allowed in specific cases such as the account holder’s death, medical emergencies, or the guardian’s death, subject to documentation.
Achievements
- Financial Empowerment: Over 4.1 crore accounts have been opened, providing economic security for millions of families.
- Social Transformation: Encourages gender equity by emphasizing girls’ education and future financial planning.
- Increased Awareness: The rise in account openings reflects growing societal acceptance of financial discipline for girls.
Challenges
- Limited Reach in Rural Areas: Awareness and accessibility are still limited in some remote regions.
- Compliance Issues: Lack of proper documentation can deter families from opening accounts.
- Misuse of Funds: The potential misuse of withdrawn funds by guardians remains a concern.
Way Forward
- Enhanced Awareness Campaigns: Utilize digital platforms, local self-help groups, and community leaders to improve outreach in rural areas.
- Digital Integration: Simplify account management processes through mobile apps and online banking services.
- Monitoring Mechanisms: Strengthen safeguards to ensure withdrawals are used for the intended purposes, particularly education.
- Periodic Review of Interest Rates: Ensure that the scheme remains attractive by maintaining competitive interest rates.
Conclusion
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana has laid a robust foundation for empowering India’s girl child by intertwining financial security with social progress. Its 10-year journey symbolizes a step forward in achieving gender equity, fostering financial literacy, and building an inclusive future. The scheme’s continued success depends on addressing the remaining challenges while furthering its outreach and impact.
Empowering India’s Daughters
Introduction
- Launch Date: 22nd January 2015, Panipat, Haryana, by PM Narendra Modi.
- Objective: Address declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR), prevent gender-biased sex-selective practices, and promote survival, protection, and education of the girl child.
- Focus: Empowering girls and fostering societal change through inclusive policies.
Relevance : GS 2(Governance ,Schemes)
Integration with Mission Shakti
- Objective: Holistic women’s safety and empowerment initiative during the 15th Finance Commission period (2021–2026).
- Sub-Schemes:
- Sambal: Focus on safety and security:
- One Stop Centres (OSCs), Women Helpline (181).
- Expansion of BBBP nationwide.
- Nari Adalat for grievance redressal.
- Sambal: Focus on safety and security:
- Samarthya: Focus on empowerment:
- Facilities like Shakti Sadans, Sakhi Niwas, and Palna-Creche.
- PMMVY now includes benefits for a second girl child to improve maternal health.
Key Objectives
- Prevent gender-biased sex-selective elimination.
- Ensure survival and protection of the girl child.
- Promote education and participation.
- Improve Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) by 2 points annually.
- Increase institutional deliveries and early ANC registration.
- Reduce school dropout rates for girls.
- Promote menstrual hygiene management (MHM).
Focus Areas and Target Groups
- Primary Groups: Young couples, expecting parents, adolescents, and communities.
- Secondary Groups: Schools, medical professionals, Anganwadi Centers, local bodies, SHGs, and media.
Financial and Operational Structure
- Funding: Centrally sponsored with 100% Central Government funding.
- District-Wise Allocations: Based on SRB:
- ≤918: ₹40 lakh/year.
- 919–952: ₹30 lakh/year.
- 952: ₹20 lakh/year.
Achievements
Improvement in SRB:
- Increased from 918 (2014-15) to 933 (2022-23).
Girls’ Enrollment in Secondary Education:
- Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) rose from 75.51% (2014-15) to 79.4% (2021-22).
Increased Institutional Deliveries:
- From 87% (2014-15) to over 94% (2019-20), reducing maternal and infant mortality.
Awareness Campaigns:
- Selfie with Daughter campaign gained widespread traction.
- Beti Janmotsav to celebrate girl child births.
Economic Empowerment of Women:
- Vocational training and skill development for young girls.
- Initiatives like Khelo India to promote sports talent among girls.
Key Interventions
Multi-Sectoral Interventions:
- Self-defence camps, construction of girls’ toilets, and awareness of the PC-PNDT Act.
- Sanitary napkin vending machines in educational institutions.
Awareness Campaigns:
- Annual National Girl Child Day (24th January).
- CRPF’s Yashaswini bike expedition celebrating women power.
- Community sensitization on menstrual hygiene and gender equality.
