Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme: Benefits, Features and How It Helps

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) is the flagship government initiative launched in 2015 to address the declining child sex ratio and ensure the survival, protection, and education of the girl child in India.

Core Objectives of BBBP

• Prevent gender-biased sex selection practices.
• Ensure girls’ survival and protection from birth.
• Promote the education and participation of girls in society.
• Create a mindset shift on the value of daughters in Indian families.

Financial Component: Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana

The primary financial instrument under BBBP is the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY), which offers one of the highest guaranteed returns (8.2% p.a.) with complete tax exemption under EEE status. Parents can invest ₹250 to ₹1.5 lakh annually until the girl turns 15, and the corpus matures when she turns 21.

Benefits for Families

• Dedicated high-interest savings for the girl child’s future.
• Full tax exemption – investment, interest, and maturity are all tax-free.
• Government guarantees returns (not market-linked).
• Partial withdrawal allowed at 18 for education expenses.

Implementation Outcomes

Since 2015, the scheme has contributed to improvements in the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) in several focus districts, increased girl child enrollment in schools, and reduced school dropout rates among girls in rural areas.