Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

The Government of India officially unveiled its highly ambitious program called Beti Bachao
Beti Padhao or BBBP scheme on 22nd January 2015.

The launch took place at Panipat in Haryana for this national program operated by the
Ministries of Women and Child Development, Human Resource Development, and Health &
Family Welfare.

Objectives of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

The scheme aims at tackling discrimination inherent in society that is faced by girls while
changing the mindset of citizens in the country.

The scheme seeks to address a wide gamut of issues including the reducing child sex ratio
(CSR) and also enhance women empowerment while eliminating gender-based inequalities
while also safeguarding girl children.

Education of girl children and their societal participation are other objectives of the scheme.

The scheme will seek to address the CSR issue through mass pan-Indian campaigns while it
will also have multi-sectoral Government interventions in 100 districts that are labeled as
gender-critical.

Key Features of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana

Setting up debates and discourses relating to reducing Child Sex Ratio (CSR) with the goal
towards spreading awareness and ensuring improvement. Encouraging community
participation and working towards better development relating to the growth and birth of a
girl child. Setting up mass communication initiatives for disseminating information related to
the BBBP scheme. Training local governing authorities and also including employees of
government organizations and schools in the rally for societal change. BBBP scheme aims at
safeguarding girl children and also at stopping inhuman acts like foeticide and female
infanticide. Promotion of women’s participation in education is a key feature, ensuring that
every girl child gets suitable access towards education. The scheme aims at improving the
child gender ratio in States like Uttarakhand, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar
Pradesh. Another objective of the scheme is the prevention of child marriage and the safety of
girl children from related physical and mental harassment along with domestic violence. The
promotion of gender equality is another key feature of the scheme throughout the
country. Financial security for girl children is encouraged through the BBBP scheme and
with a view towards securing their future education, growth, and development.

Eligibility for Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

When it comes to eligibility for the scheme, here are the key points to be kept in mind.

The family should have a girl child below 10 years of age.

There should be a Sukanya Samriddhi Account or SSA, which has been opened in any Indian
bank, in the name of the girl child in the family.

The girl child should be a resident Indian. NRI citizens do not possess eligibility for the
BBBP scheme.

How to Apply for Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme

You can easily apply for the scheme by visiting the post office or bank, where this scheme is
readily available as a first step.

Thereafter, you have to fill up the application form for BBBP/SSA by yourself and attach all
supporting documents needed with the same.

You have to submit these documents to the concerned authority to open an account in your
girl’s name and for her to reap the benefits in the future.
Documents Required

There are a few documents that are required for the successful implementation of this
scheme. Here is a tally of the documents which you will need in this regard:

Birth Certificate issued by any recognised government body or a hospital.

Proof of Identity of the Parents, namely Ration Card and Aadhar Card among others.

Proof of Address, namely Utility bills such as telephone bill, electricity bill or water bill and
also Driving License or Passport among others.

A passport size photograph.

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme Benefits

There are numerous tangible and societal benefits of the BBBP scheme. The major Benefits
of this scheme are as follows-

A girl child can open an account under this scheme to attain financial security in the
future.The account remains exempted under the Act 1961 u/s 80C and will remain
completely tax-free.There is a decent rate of interest on this account and withdrawal is only
allowed for the girl child when she attains the age of 18 years.Easy savings facility for
daughters courtesy of parents or guardians. Under the scheme, a savings scheme known as
the SSA (Sukanya Samriddhi Account) has been unveiled. Generation of awareness regarding
issues of girls and women. Improving delivery of welfare services for women. Address
declining CSR (child sex ratio) in critical States and regions. 8.1% interest rate (per annum)
on Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana accounts. The maximum deposit limit is Rs. 1.50 lakh per
annum. Promoting better education and inclusion for women.

Expansions of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

Ensuring a 1% increase in secondary enrollment and skilling of girls and women each
year.Ensuring that teenagers complete their schooling, develop their skills, and enter the
workforce in a variety of occupations.Raising awareness about menstrual hygiene
safety.Promoting the abolition of child marriages.

Other Girl Child Initiatives by the Indian Government

National Girl Child DayNational Scheme of Incentives to Girls for Secondary

EducationScheme for Adolescent GirlsSukanya Samriddhi YojanaCBSE Udaan Scheme

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated a scheme for girls called Beti Bachao Beti
Padhao. It is to save the girl child and educate the girl child all over India. The program was
started on the 22nd of January, 2015 at Panipat. This scheme was initiated first especially in
Haryana because this state has a very low female sex ratio (775/1000) all over the country.
It has been effectively applied in a hundred districts across the country. It is to improve the
status of girls in the country.

Aim of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme

The aim of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme is to stop the drop in girl child sex ratio.
Therefore, it will encourage women’s empowerment in order to improve women status in
the country. It is a tri-ministerial initiative of the following ministries:

Women and Child Development

Health and Family Welfare

Human Resource Development

Reasons for Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Initiative

Two main reasons for Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative are:

Low child-sex ratio called for the launch of the scheme

The Child Sex Ratio (CSR) census data for 0-6 years was 933 girls per 1,000 boys in 2001,
which declined to 918 girls for every 1,000 boys in 2011. UNICEF in 2012 Reported that India
ranked 41st among 195 countries. A 2011 Population Census revealed that the population
ratio of India in 2011 was 943 females per 1000 of males. The Sex Ratio 2011, however,
indications an upward trend from the census 2001 data.

Crime against Women on the rise

Aborting of female foeticide by post ultrasonic testing. Thus this type of discrimination
against girl infants resulted in a huge drop in the female population. Also, crimes and sex
abuse, so on, have been on a constant high.

Back in the year 2014, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi spoke on the event of
International Day of the Girl Child. He highlighted on the abolition of female foeticide and
asked suggestions from the Indian citizens on MyGov.in portal.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Primary Objective of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ is a collaborative initiative of the government of India. Ministry of
Women and Child Development, Ministry of Human Resource Development and Ministry of
Health and Family Welfare started this scheme. It covers all Indian states and union
territories.

The scheme has three primary objectives

 Prevent female infanticide.

Develop new schemes and work collaboratively to ensure that every girl child is secured
and protected.

Ensure every girl child gets a quality education.

Difficulties in Implementing Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme having difficulty to gain momentum. This is due to the
following facts.

Social abuses and orthodox rituals like female foeticide, Sati, child marriage and domestic
abuse obstruct the due execution of this scheme.

The government machinery and the police are, however, to get the magnitude of women
atrocities seriously. This also weakens the effective implementation of the Beti Bachao Beti
Padhao scheme.

The mindset of people remains conservative besides the numerous campaigns spreading
awareness among people.

The scheme needs civic body support to achieve the objectives of the scheme.

The Dowry system is the main obstacles in the successful implementation and impact of
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme

Impact of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme

It is important to look for the benefit that ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’, is India’s most high
profile campaign. It is to empower the girl child in the country. Some major impacts are-

Balancing sex ratios

Bringing girl child rights into focus

Achieving girl-child access to education

Conclusion

The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme is an initiative by the Government of India to address
the issues revolving around girl children in India. This initiative under the scheme have
started giving fruit as the level of awareness among the people is increasing.

Therefore, people now have a serious impact to work for girl child upliftment in society. The
success of this scheme will add tremendously to the economic growth of the country. This is
due to the fact that India cannot afford to have a large part of its population remain
neglected.

Revised Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme

For Prelims: Govt schemes for Womens and Girls, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ scheme
(BBBP), Women in STEM, STEM, Ministry of Women & Child Development (MW&CD)

For Mains: Non-traditional livelihoods for Girls, Girls in STEM, Women related issues,
Women and Atmanirbhar Bharat

Why in News?

The Central Government, expanding the mandate of its flagship scheme - ‘Beti Bachao Beti
Padhao' (BBBP Scheme) announced the inclusion of skilling of girls in non-traditional
livelihood (NTL) options.

 At the national conference on skilling in non-traditional livelihoods for girls, Ministries of

Women and Child Development MW&CD emphasises the importance of convergence
between various departments for providing quality education to empower girls.
What is BBBP Scheme?

 About:
o The Scheme was launched by Prime Minister on January 22, 2015 to addresses the
declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and related issues of women’s empowerment over a
life-cycle continuum.
o It is a Tri-ministerial effort of the Ministries of Women and Child Development
(MW&CD), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MH&FW), and Ministry of
Education.
 Main Objectives:
o Prevention of gender-biased sex-selective elimination.
o Ensuring survival & protection of the girl child.
o Ensuring education and participation of the girl child.
o Protecting rights of Girl children.
 Innovative Interventions under BBBP: Innovations that have created a positive ecosystem/
enabling environment for girls include:
o Guddi-Gudda Boards: (Display of Birth Statistics (number of Girls born vis-à-vis
number of Boys) in public). Example: Jalgaon district, Maharashtra has installed
digital Guddi-Gudda Display Boards.
o Breaking Gender Stereotypes & Challenging Son-centric Rituals: Celebration of
birth of the girl child, dedicating special day on value of girl child, plantation drives
symbolizing nurturing and care for girl child. Example: Cuddalore (Tamil Nadu), Selfie
with Daughters (Jind district, Haryana).

What are the New Changes in the BBBP Scheme?

 Some of the new aims in the revised BBBP scheme include:

o Ensuring 1% increment in enrolment at the secondary level particularly in STEM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) subjects.
o Skilling of girls and women every year (mainly in non-traditional livelihoods)
o Raising awareness about safe menstrual hygiene
o Promulgating elimination of child marriages
 Other Changes to the Scheme:
o The MW&CD also emphasised the convergence between various departments for
providing quality education (including vocational) to empower girls.
o A MoU was signed between the MW&CD and Ministries Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship, and Minority Affairs to ensure adolescents complete their
education, build skills, and enter the workforce in a diverse range of professions.
o A national committee headed by the Secretary of MW&CD, formed under the larger
Mission Shakti will review the implementation of the BBBP scheme with states and
UTs.

What are the Other Initiatives to Support Girl Children?

 Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

 Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
 CBSE Udaan Scheme
 National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education
 National Girl Child Day
 Scheme for Adolescent Girls
 Sukanya Samridhi Yojana
What are Non-Traditional Livelihoods (NTL)?

 “Non-Traditional Livelihoods” (NTLs) – sectors and jobs where participation of women is and
has historically been conventionally low or absent. Like STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering, Mathematics) subjects due to gender-based categorization of the work, in the
society.

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

Background

 Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Logo The Census (2011) data showed a significant
declining trend in the Child Sex Ratio1(CSR) between 0-6 years with an all time low
of 918.
 The issue of decline in the CSR is a major indicator of women disempowerment as it
reflects both, pre-birth discrimination manifested through gender biased sex selection,
and post birth discrimination against girls (in form of their health, nutrition,
educational needs).
 The principal factor behind the Child Sex Ratio being so adverse is the low Sex Ratio
at Birth (SRB).
 Social construct discriminating girls on the one hand, easy availability, affordability
and subsequent misuse of diagnostic tools on the other hand, have been critical in
declining CSR.
 The strong socio-cultural and religious biases, preference for sons and discrimination
towards daughters has accentuated the problem.
 Since coordinated and convergent efforts are needed to ensure survival, protection and
empowerment of the girl child, Government launched the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
(BBBP) on 22nd January, 2015 at Panipat in Haryana.
 It is a tri-ministerial effort of Ministries of Women and Child Development, Health &
Family Welfare and Human Resource Development.

Overall Goal

Celebrate the Girl Child & Enable her Education

The objectives of the Scheme are as under:

1. To prevent gender biased sex selective elimination

2. To ensure survival and protection of the girl child
3. To ensure education and participation of the girl child

Coverage

First Phase
The 100 districts (45.9KB) have been identified on the basis of low Child Sex Ratio as per
Census 2011 covering all States/UTs as a pilot with at least one district in each state. The
three criteria for selection of districts are:-

1. Districts below the national average (87 districts/23 states);

2. Districts above national average but shown declining trend (8 districts/8 states)
3. Districts above national average and shown increasing trend (5 districts/5 states-
selected so that these CSR levels can be maintained and other districts can emulate
and learn from their experiences).

Second Phase

 The scheme has further been expanded to 61 additional districts selected from 11
States/UT having CSR below 918. To get the list of additional districts covered, click
here (70.4KB).
 Pan India Expansion of BBBP
 The Pan India Expansion of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) covering all 640
districts (as per census 2011) of the country was launched on 8th March 2018.

Target group

Primary :

Young and newly married couples; Pregnant and Lactating mothers; parents

Secondary :

Youth, adolescents (girls and boys), in-laws, medical doctors/ practitioners, private hospitals,
nursing homes and diagnostic centres

Tertiary :

Officials, PRIs; frontline workers, women SHGs/Collectives, religious leaders, voluntary

organizations, media, medical associations, industry associations, general public as a whole .

Strategies

 Implement a sustained Social Mobilization and Communication Campaign to create

equal value for the girl child & promote her education.
 Place the issue of decline in CSR/SRB in public discourse, improvement of which
would be a indicator for good governance.
 Focus on Gender Critical Districts and Cities low on CSR for intensive & integrated
action.
 Adopt Innovative Interventions/Actions by the districts as per their local needs,
context and sensibilities.
  Mobilize & Train Panchayati Raj Institutions/Urban local bodies/ Grassroot workers
as catalysts for social change, in partnership with local community/women’s/youth
groups.
 Engage with Communities to challenge gender stereotypes and social norms.
 Ensure service delivery structures/schemes & programmes are sufficiently responsive
to issues of gender and children’s rights.
 Enable Inter-sectoral and inter-institutional convergence at District/Block/Grassroot
levels.

Components

 Advocacy and Media Campaign on Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao

 Under the Scheme, a Nation-wide campaign was launched for celebrating Girl Child
and enabling her education.
 The campaign aims at ensuring that girls are born, nurtured and educated without
discrimination to become empowered citizens of this country with equal rights. A
360° media approach is being adopted to create awareness and disseminating
information about the issue across the nation.
 Multi-Sectoral intervention in selected Gender Critical Districts worse on CSR
 Under the Scheme, the multi-sectoral action in selected 405 districts (including
existing 161 districts) covering all States/UTs will focus on schematic intervention
and sectoral actions in consultation with M/o H&FW & M/o HRD.
 Measurable outcomes and indicators will bring together concerned sectors, States and
districts for urgent concerted multi-sectoral action to improve the CSR.

Monitorable targets

 Improve the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) in selected gender critical districts by 2 points
in a year.
 Reduce Gender differentials in Under Five Child Mortality Rate from 7 points in
2014(latest available SRS report) to 1.5 points per year
 At least 1.5 % increase per year of Institutional Deliveries.
 At least 1% increase per year of 1st Trimester ANC Registration.
 Increase enrolment of girls in secondary education to 82% by 2018-19.
 Provide functional toilet for girls in every school in selected districts.
 Improve the Nutrition status of girls – by reducing number of underweight and
anemic girls under 5 years of age.
 Ensure universalization of ICDS, girls’ attendance and equal care monitored, using
joint ICDS NHM Mother Child Protection Cards.
 Promote a protective environment for Girl Children through implementation of
Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act 2012.
 Train Elected Representatives/ Grassroot functionaries as Community Champions to
mobilize communities to improve CSR and promote Girl’s education.