Scholarship for Girls 2026 –
Gujarat & India Complete Guide
Girl students in Gujarat can access at least 8 dedicated support and welfare schemes in 2026. These include Vahli Dikri Yojana (₹1.10 lakh in 3 stages), Namo Laxmi Yojana (₹50,000 for Class 9–12), Saraswati Sadhana (free bicycle for SC girls in Class 9), MYSY (up to ₹2 lakh for higher education), and AICTE Pragati (₹50,000 for technical courses). This page covers all schemes, eligibility by class level, and exact steps to apply.
All support for girl students in India and Gujarat 2026 | State + Central schemes combined guide | Updated June 2026
On This Page
- Vahli Dikri Yojana – ₹1.10 lakh for girl child
- Namo Laxmi Yojana – ₹50,000 Class 9–12
- Saraswati Sadhana – Free bicycle for SC girls
- Namo Saraswati – ₹25,000 for science stream girls
- MYSY Scholarship – up to ₹2 lakh for higher education
- AICTE Pragati – ₹50,000 for technical education
- Single Girl Child Scholarship (Indira Gandhi / CBSE / UGC)
- Minority Scholarship for girl students
- Eligibility by class level – full comparison table
- How to apply – step-by-step
- Documents required
- FAQ
Why Girl Students Need Targeted Financial Support
Dropping out of school is still the biggest hurdle for girls from low-income families in India. The cost of transport, books, and fees adds up fast. Girls from rural areas face the problem more sharply than urban students.
Both the Gujarat government and the central government have launched targeted financial support schemes. These programmes cover every stage | from Class 1 all the way to postgraduate and doctoral studies. Some give cash directly to the family. Others waive tuition fees or provide bicycles to remove daily transport barriers.
This guide brings all those programmes in one place. You will find the exact eligibility, benefit amount, application steps, and deadlines for each scheme in one place. No need to check 10 different government websites.
Vahli Dikri Yojana – ₹1,10,000 for Girl Child in 3 Stages
Vahli Dikri means "beloved daughter" in Gujarati. This scheme gives financial support to families raising girl children | at three key moments in a girl's life.
What is Vahli Dikri Yojana?
The Gujarat government launched Vahli Dikri Yojana on August 2, 2019. The Women and Child Development Department runs it. The aim is to prevent female foeticide, reduce child marriage, and keep girls in school. The scheme provides a total of ₹1,10,000 per eligible girl in three instalments. More than 2.37 lakh girl children have registered under this scheme since 2019, and total disbursements have crossed ₹544 crore. LIC of India manages the funds.
First Instalment
Paid directly to the parent or guardian bank account when the girl child gets admitted to Class 1 in a government or recognised school.
Second Instalment
Paid when the girl reaches secondary school and gets admitted to Class 9. This marks the transition to higher secondary education.
Third Instalment
The largest payout arrives when the girl turns 18. She can use this for higher education, vocational training, or marriage expenses.
Eligibility for Vahli Dikri Yojana
- Family must live in Gujarat | non-Gujarat residents are not eligible.
- Annual family income below ₹2 lakh | from all sources combined.
- Only the first two daughters qualify | the third daughter cannot apply.
- Girl must be born on or after August 2, 2019 | earlier births are not eligible for Stage 1.
- Aadhaar-linked bank account required | for direct benefit transfer (DBT).
- The girl must be enrolled in school | proof of admission is needed for each stage payment.
How to Apply for Vahli Dikri Yojana
- Visit Anganwadi Centre, Gram Panchayat, or Jan Seva Kendra | applications are accepted offline only. No online form is available yet.
- Collect the application form and fill in the girl child's name, parent details, and income details.
- Attach documents: girl's birth certificate, parents' Aadhaar, address proof (ration card or electricity bill), income certificate, bank passbook, and passport-size photos.
- Submit at the same office where you collected the form. The officer will verify and process the application.
- Money is transferred via DBT directly to the bank account once verified.
Namo Laxmi Yojana – ₹50,000 Scholarship for Class 9–12 Girls
Namo Laxmi Yojana is Gujarat's biggest school-level financial scheme for girl students. The Gujarat government launched it in the 2024–25 budget. It targets girls in Classes 9 to 12 studying in government or government-aided schools. Over 10 lakh girls benefit each year, and the government provisioned ₹1,250 crore for 2026–27.
Namo Laxmi Yojana – Amount – Year by Year
| Class | Monthly Amount | Annual Total | Bonus Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 9 | ₹500/month × 10 months | ₹5,000 | ₹5,000 after passing Class 10 board |
| Class 10 | ₹500/month × 10 months | ₹5,000 | (included in Class 10 board bonus) |
| Class 11 | ₹750/month × 10 months | ₹7,500 | ₹15,000 after passing Class 12 board |
| Class 12 | ₹750/month × 10 months | ₹7,500 | (included in Class 12 board bonus) |
| Total | ₹50,000 across Class 9–12 | paid directly into Aadhaar-linked bank account | ||
Namo Laxmi Yojana Eligibility
- Must be a girl student enrolled in Class 9, 10, 11, or 12.
- Must study in a government or government-aided school in Gujarat.
- No separate income limit | the scheme is open to all girl students in eligible schools.
- Documents needed: Aadhaar card, mobile number, bank account details, parent's Aadhaar, and school enrolment proof.
Saraswati Sadhana Yojana – Free Bicycle for SC / OBC Girls in Class 9
Many girl students from Scheduled Caste and Developing Caste families in rural Gujarat drop out of school because the nearest secondary school is far from home. Saraswati Sadhana Yojana solves this by giving a free bicycle to eligible girls when they start Class 9.
The Gujarat government started Saraswati Sadhana Yojana in 2019. The Directorate of Schedule Caste Welfare runs the scheme. In 2023–24, the government allocated ₹75 crore to provide free bicycles to approximately 2 lakh girls. A 2025 assembly debate noted that 1.45 lakh bicycles were still pending distribution | showing scale and ongoing attention to the scheme.
The bicycle gives a girl student safe, independent transport to school every day. This directly cuts dropout rates among girls from economically weaker SC and OBC families in rural areas.
Saraswati Sadhana Yojana – Eligibility
- Girl student permanently living in Gujarat.
- Currently enrolled in Class 9 in a government or government-aided secondary school.
- Belongs to Scheduled Caste or Developing Caste (OBC) category.
- Annual family income limit: ₹1,20,000 in rural areas | ₹1,50,000 in urban areas.
- Must be commuting to a school in another village | girls who travel to reach secondary school are prioritised.
- No separate application needed | the school principal recommends eligible students directly to the department.
Namo Saraswati Vigyan Sadhana Yojana – ₹25,000 for Girls in Science Stream
Gujarat wants more girl students to choose science after Class 10. The Namo Saraswati Vigyan Sadhana Yojana was launched in March 2024 to make this happen. The government set a budget of ₹250 crore for 2024–25 alone. The aim is to grow science stream enrolment among girls from 2 lakh to 5 lakh per year.
Paid as ₹1,000 per month for 10 months during Class 11. Goes straight to the girl student's bank account.
Another ₹1,000 per month for 10 months during Class 12. Same direct DBT to the student's account.
A one-time payment of ₹5,000 after the student passes Class 12 board exams. Total support = ₹25,000.
Eligibility – Namo Saraswati Yojana
- Only for girl students enrolled in the science stream in Class 11 or 12.
- Must study in a recognised government school in Gujarat.
- Must have opted for science stream after passing Class 10.
- Family income limit applies | exact threshold is set by the state education department each year.
- School applies on behalf of the student | no separate student application needed.
MYSY Scholarship for Girls – Up to ₹2,00,000 per Year
MYSY (Mukhyamantri Yuva Swavalamban Yojana) is Gujarat's flagship higher education support scheme. It is open to all | but it is the single most valuable programme a girl student from a low-income family can access after Class 10 or 12.
MYSY provides fee reimbursement up to ₹2,00,000 per year for professional and degree courses. It also covers a ₹1,200/month hostel allowance and ₹500/month exam fee support. The scheme is open to all categories | SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and General | as long as the student meets the income and marks criteria. Girl students who score 80% or more in Class 10 or 12 should apply for MYSY first, before exploring other post-matric schemes.
MYSY covers engineering, medical, pharmacy, architecture, MBA, MCA, nursing, diploma, and non-professional degree courses. The application portal is mysy.gujarat.gov.in. Applications for AY 2026–27 open in July–August 2026.
MYSY Eligibility for Girl Students
- Permanent resident of Gujarat | valid domicile certificate required.
- Scored 80% or above in Class 10 or 12 (or 65% in a Diploma for D2D students).
- Annual family income below ₹6 lakh | income certificate from competent authority required.
- Admitted to a recognised college or institution in Gujarat for an eligible course.
- Fresh applicants apply at mysy.gujarat.gov.in with seat number and passing year.
- Physical verification mandatory | after locking the online form, visit the MYSY Help Center at your college. Skipping this step is the most common rejection reason.
AICTE Pragati Scholarship for Girls – ₹50,000 per Year
The AICTE Pragati is one of the most generous central government programmes for girl students in technical education. It gives ₹50,000 per year to girls in diploma and degree courses at AICTE-approved institutions across India. Gujarat girl students are fully eligible.
AICTE Pragati – Key Facts 2026–27
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Amount | ₹50,000 per year (transferred via DBT) |
| Total scholarships | 5,000 for degree + 5,000 for diploma = 10,000 per year |
| Who can apply | Girl students in AICTE-approved diploma or degree technical courses |
| Income limit | Family income below ₹8 lakh per year |
| Management quota | Students admitted via management quota are NOT eligible |
| Bank account | Must have a personal savings account (not FRILL/Minor/Joint account) |
| Application deadline | October 31, 2026 for AY 2026–27 |
| Application portal | aicte-pragati-saksham-gov.in |
| SC/ST/OBC reservation | SC 15%, ST 7.5%, OBC 27% within the 10,000 slots |
| Use of funds | Tuition fees, books, equipment, laptops, software | no itemised billing |
How to Apply for AICTE Pragati Scholarship
- Go to aicte-pragati-saksham-gov.in | not scholarships.gov.in. Register with your mobile number and email.
- Fill in your personal and academic details. Upload your admission letter, fee receipt, and income certificate.
- Submit before October 31, 2026. Defective applications can be corrected until November 15, 2026.
- Institute verification happens | your AICTE-approved college must verify your application. Follow up with your college office.
- Selection and DBT payment | shortlisted students receive ₹50,000 directly in their bank account.
Single Girl Child Scholarship – Indira Gandhi, CBSE & UGC Schemes
If a girl is the only child in her family, she gets access to additional financial support unavailable to other students. These schemes encourage families to raise, educate, and invest in their single daughter.
Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child
For the only daughter in a family who is pursuing a postgraduate degree. This scheme was launched to encourage higher education among single girl children. No age bar for PG admission.
CBSE Merit Scholarship for Single Girl Child
For girl students who topped Class 10 CBSE board exams and are continuing Class 11 and 12 in a CBSE-affiliated school. Must be the only or eldest daughter in the family.
PG Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child
The postgraduate level version of the Indira Gandhi scheme, administered by UGC. Girl students doing PG in any recognised university or college can apply. Renewed annually on maintaining academic performance.
General Eligibility – Single Girl Child Support Schemes
- The applicant must be the only daughter in the family (no brother or sister).
- Must be studying in a recognised institution | CBSE school for the CBSE scheme, any UGC-recognised university for the UGC scheme.
- Twins (two daughters only) may also be considered eligible under some schemes | check scheme-specific guidelines each year.
- Apply through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) for UGC schemes.
Minority Scholarship for Girl Students – Pre-Matric & Post-Matric
Girl students from minority communities | Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi, and Jain | can access dedicated pre-matric and post-matric financial aid. These are funded by the Ministry of Minority Affairs and administered through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and the Digital Gujarat Portal.
The minority financial aid scheme has two main levels. Pre-Matric covers Class 1 to 10. Post-Matric covers Class 11 onwards up to PhD level. Both have separate income limits.
For pre-matric awards, family income must be below ₹1 lakh per year. For post-matric awards, the limit is ₹2 lakh per year. Girl students from minority communities who are studying in Gujarat can also apply through digitalgujarat.gov.in under the minority support section.
One important note: Funding for these schemes is limited each year. Apply early. Applications that arrive late in the window often get waitlisted even when the student meets all eligibility criteria.
Minority Scholarship – Key Eligibility Points
- Must belong to a minority community | Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi, or Jain.
- Pre-Matric: Family income below ₹1 lakh per year | Class 1 to 10.
- Post-Matric: Family income below ₹2 lakh per year | Class 11 to PhD.
- Must have scored at least 50% in the previous examination.
- Apply through scholarships.gov.in (national portal) or digitalgujarat.gov.in (Gujarat portal).
Girl Student Schemes – Eligibility by Class Level
This table shows every major scheme for girl students in Gujarat and India, sorted by the class or education level. Use this to find what applies to you right now.
| Scheme | Class / Level | Category | Amount | Income Limit | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vahli Dikri Yojana | Class 1 (Stage 1) | Class 9 (Stage 2) | Age 18 (Stage 3) | All (Gujarat) | ₹4,000 + ₹6,000 + ₹1,00,000 | Below ₹2 lakh/year | Offline – Anganwadi / Gram Panchayat |
| Namo Laxmi Yojana | Class 9 to 12 | All girls (Govt. school) | ₹50,000 over 4 years | No income limit | School enrolls student |
| Saraswati Sadhana Yojana | Class 9 | SC / Developing Caste | Free bicycle | Rural ₹1.20L | Urban ₹1.50L | School principal recommends |
| Namo Saraswati Yojana | Class 11–12 (Science stream) | Girl students (Govt. school) | ₹25,000 over 2 years | State-set limit | School enrolls student |
| Pre-Matric Scholarship | Class 1 to 10 | SC / ST / OBC / Minority / EWS | ₹940–₹3,000/year | ₹2.5 lakh/year | digitalgujarat.gov.in |
| Post-Matric Scholarship | Class 11 to PhD | SC / ST / OBC / Minority / EWS | Up to ₹2 lakh/year | Category-specific | digitalgujarat.gov.in |
| MYSY Scholarship | Diploma / Degree (higher education) | All categories (80%+ marks) | Up to ₹2,00,000/year | Below ₹6 lakh/year | mysy.gujarat.gov.in |
| EWS / EBC Scholarship | Degree programmes | General / EWS category | Up to ₹50,000/year | Below ₹6 lakh/year | digitalgujarat.gov.in |
| AICTE Pragati Scholarship | Diploma / Degree (technical) | Girl students only | ₹50,000/year | Below ₹8 lakh/year | aicte-pragati-saksham-gov.in |
| CBSE Merit Scholarship (Single Girl) | Class 11–12 | Single girl child (CBSE) | ₹500/month | No limit specified | cbse.gov.in |
| Indira Gandhi Scholarship (Single Girl PG) | Postgraduate | Single girl child | ₹3,100/month | No limit specified | scholarships.gov.in |
| Minority Scholarship – Pre-Matric | Class 1 to 10 | Minority communities | Maintenance + tuition | Below ₹1 lakh/year | scholarships.gov.in or digitalgujarat.gov.in |
| Minority Scholarship – Post-Matric | Class 11 to PhD | Minority communities | Maintenance + tuition | Below ₹2 lakh/year | scholarships.gov.in or digitalgujarat.gov.in |
How to Apply – Scholarships for Girls in Gujarat
The application process depends on the scheme. Some schemes require you to apply directly. Others are school-managed. Here is how to approach each type.
For School-Managed Schemes (Namo Laxmi, Saraswati Sadhana, Namo Saraswati)
- Contact your school's nodal officer or principal. These schemes are enrolled through the school, not by the student.
- Make sure your Aadhaar is linked to a bank account | this is needed for DBT payment. Do this at your bank or through an Aadhaar seeding camp at school.
- Provide any documents the school asks for | typically Aadhaar, parent Aadhaar, bank passbook copy, and caste certificate if applicable.
- Follow up with your school office after the session starts. Ask whether your name is on the enrolled list.
For Digital Gujarat Portal Schemes (Post-Matric, EWS, Minority)
- Register on digitalgujarat.gov.in | if you do not have an account, follow our registration guide. It takes about 5 minutes.
- Log in and go to Scholarship Services. Select your scheme based on your category and education level.
- Fill in your application form | personal details, institution details, bank account, and category proof.
- Upload all required documents | keep files under 200KB. Compress PDFs and photos using free tools if needed.
- Submit the form and take a printout. Submit the printout to your college clerk for physical verification | this step is now mandatory in most schemes.
- Track your application status at digitalgujarat.gov.in or at our scholarship status guide.
For MYSY
- Go to mysy.gujarat.gov.in. Fresh applicants register with their 10th or 12th seat number and passing year.
- Fill in personal, academic, and bank details. Upload income certificate, marksheet, and admission proof.
- Lock your data and print the application.
- Visit the MYSY Help Center at your college for physical verification. This step is not optional | missing it is the top reason for rejection.
For AICTE Pragati
- Go to aicte-pragati-saksham-gov.in | not the main NSP portal.
- Register and complete your profile. Upload your admission letter, income certificate, and fee receipt.
- Apply before October 31, 2026.
- Your college must verify your application | follow up with your institution's programme coordinator.
Documents Needed for Girl Student Schemes
Most schemes need the same set of documents. Prepare these in advance to avoid last-minute rejections.
- Aadhaar card of student
- Aadhaar card of parent / guardian
- Domicile certificate (Gujarat residency)
- Ration card or utility bill as address proof
- Passport-size photograph
- Income certificate from Mamlatdar / competent authority
- Caste certificate (SC, ST, OBC, SEBC)
- EWS certificate (for EWS category)
- NCL certificate for OBC applicants
- Minority community certificate (if applicable)
- Latest marksheet or result printout
- Fee receipt or admission letter from institution
- Bank passbook (showing account number and IFSC)
- Bank account must be NPCI-seeded with Aadhaar
- Birth certificate (needed for Vahli Dikri)
FAQ – Scholarship for Girls
For Class 9–12 girl students in government schools, Namo Laxmi Yojana (₹50,000 over 4 years) is the easiest to access since the school applies on your behalf. For girl children under 18 from families with income below ₹2 lakh, Vahli Dikri Yojana provides ₹1.10 lakh in three stages. For higher education with 80%+ marks, MYSY provides up to ₹2 lakh per year. For technical courses, AICTE Pragati gives ₹50,000/year with an income ceiling of ₹8 lakh. Most girl students in Gujarat qualify for more than one scheme simultaneously.
Yes, in many cases. A Class 11 girl in a government school science stream can receive both Namo Laxmi Yojana (₹7,500/year) and Namo Saraswati Yojana (₹10,000/year) together. A girl in higher education can hold both MYSY and post-matric support if she meets eligibility for both | though some schemes have a "one award per student" rule for central and state funding overlap. Read the individual scheme guidelines carefully, or ask your college programme coordinator.
Income limits vary. Vahli Dikri Yojana requires family income below ₹2 lakh/year. MYSY requires below ₹6 lakh/year. AICTE Pragati allows up to ₹8 lakh/year | the highest of any major scheme. Saraswati Sadhana Yojana has a rural limit of ₹1.20 lakh and urban limit of ₹1.50 lakh. Namo Laxmi Yojana has no income limit. The pre-matric minority scheme requires below ₹1 lakh/year. post-matric requires below ₹2 lakh/year. The income certificate must be issued by the Mamlatdar or competent authority | not a self-declaration.
An SC girl student in Gujarat can combine multiple benefits. In Class 9, she gets a free bicycle under Saraswati Sadhana Yojana and monthly support under Namo Laxmi Yojana. From Class 1, she was eligible for Vahli Dikri if born after August 2, 2019. In Class 11 science stream, she adds Namo Saraswati Yojana. After Class 12, she applies for MYSY (if 80%+ marks) and/or a post-matric scheme through the Digital Gujarat portal. At the PG level, she can apply for the Indira Gandhi Single Girl Child award if she is an only daughter. Apply for each scheme through its respective portal and track status regularly.
DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) does not run a general public scheme open for girl student applications in the same way as MYSY or Pragati. DRDO's fellowship programmes target research scholars (PhD and above) or for wards of DRDO employees. If you need financial support for engineering or science courses in 2026, AICTE Pragati (₹50,000/year for all girls in AICTE-approved technical courses) is the closest central government scheme available to all eligible girl students. Check the official DRDO website for any specific announcements.
BCK 78 is a category code used in some Bihar government support systems for girls from backward communities. It belongs to Bihar's social welfare framework. It does not apply in Gujarat. If you are a girl student in Gujarat, this code does not apply to your application. If you are in Bihar, check the Bihar government's official portal for current BCK 78 eligibility and application details.
Log in to digitalgujarat.gov.in and go to Scholarship Services to check status. For MYSY, log in at mysy.gujarat.gov.in. For AICTE Pragati, check at aicte-pragati-saksham-gov.in. For payment tracking, visit pfms.nic.in → Know Your Payments → enter your Aadhaar number. For a full walkthrough, read our scholarship status guide.
Yes. After Class 12, Gujarat girl students can apply for MYSY (up to ₹2 lakh/year for 80%+ students in any degree or diploma course), post-matric support through the Digital Gujarat portal (for SC/ST/OBC/EWS/Minority students), EBC/EWS scheme (for general EWS students), and AICTE Pragati (for girls in technical degree or diploma courses with income below ₹8 lakh). Most of these open in July–August each year. See our last dates page for exact deadlines.
5 Things Every Girl Student Must Do Before Applying
- Link Aadhaar to your bank account (NPCI seeding) | without this, your DBT payments will fail. Do this at your bank branch, ATM, or an Aadhaar seeding camp.
- Get digital certificates from Digital Gujarat portal | income, caste, EWS, and NCL certificates from the official portal are accepted everywhere. Handwritten or local certificates are increasingly rejected.
- Keep all scanned files under 200KB | most portals reject files larger than this. Use free tools to compress PDFs and photos before uploading.
- Apply in the first 2 weeks of the window | schemes like Pragati have a fixed number of 5,000 slots. Late applicants lose priority even when eligible.
- Renew every year | no scheme renews automatically. You must reapply each academic year within the window. Set a reminder for July–August 2027 today.