Sarkari Yojana for Women 2025: Top Government Schemes Every Woman Should Know

Introduction

The Government of India has introduced several Sarkari Yojanas for Women over the years to empower, uplift, and support women across education, employment, healthcare, and financial independence. In 2025, these schemes continue to offer life-changing benefits to women in both rural and urban areas.

This post brings you a curated list of the top government schemes for women in 2025, how to apply, eligibility, and their key benefits.

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)

Overview: Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) is a flagship initiative by the Government of India aimed at raising awareness and improving the welfare services for girls across the country. Launched on 22 January 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the scheme initially received a funding of ₹100 crore and targeted key regions with low child sex ratios such as Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Bihar, and Delhi.

The scheme was introduced in response to concerning census data that showed a declining child sex ratio — from 927 girls per 1000 boys in 2001 to 918 girls per 1000 boys in 2011. Despite a national sex ratio of 943 females per 1000 males as per the 2011 Census, the downward trend among children raised serious concerns.

BBBP is a joint initiative managed by three key ministries:

• Ministry of Women and Child Development
• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
• Ministry of Human Resource Development

To combat social stigma and encourage public participation, campaigns such as #SelfieWithDaughter were launched, which gained global traction after Sunil Jaglan, a sarpanch from Haryana, posted a selfie with his daughter on Facebook in 2015. The scheme gained further momentum when Olympic bronze medallist Sakshi Malik was appointed as the brand ambassador in August 2016.

The BBBP initiative continues to play a pivotal role in promoting gender equality, girl child education, and empowering women at the grassroots level.

Objective: Promote girl child education and stop gender-based discrimination.

• Eligibility: All families with girl children (0–18 years)
• Benefits: Financial support, awareness campaigns, scholarships
• How to Apply: Visit https://wcd.nic.in or local district office (Click on this link to apply it will redirects you official website)

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)

Overview: Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) is a government-backed savings scheme designed specifically to secure the financial future of a girl child in India. Launched as part of the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao initiative in 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this scheme helps parents or guardians systematically save for their daughter’s higher education, marriage, and other major life expenses.

Under SSY, families can make regular deposits in a dedicated savings account to gradually build a strong financial corpus over time. The scheme offers one of the highest interest rates among small savings instruments and comes with tax benefits under Section 80C, making it both a secure and rewarding investment option.

This scheme is part of a broader set of initiatives aimed at empowering the girl child, which also includes the Dhanlakshmi Scheme and Ladli Scheme. Together, these efforts reflect the government’s commitment to ensuring that girls have equal access to education, financial independence, and a bright future.

Objective: Help parents save for the girl child’s future education or marriage.

• Eligibility: Girl child below 10 years
• Benefits: High interest rate (currently ~8.2%), tax-free under 80C
• Where to Apply: Post offices, SBI, PNB, or any authorized bank

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)

Objective: Provide financial aid to pregnant and lactating mothers.

• Eligibility: Women over 19 years, pregnant with first child
• Benefit: ₹5,000 in 3 installments
• Apply at: https://pmmvy.nic.in or Anganwadi Center (To avail this benefit click on given link and you redirects to the official website for that scheme)

Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK)

Overview: The Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK) scheme was launched by the Government of India as part of the Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shashaktikaran Yojana (PMMSY). Introduced during the financial years 2017–18 to 2019–20, its primary goal was to empower rural women by enabling them to realize their full potential through community engagement, training, and awareness programs.

MSK served as a one-stop platform where women could connect with government services, access welfare schemes, and receive support for skill development and capacity building. It aimed to bridge the gap between women in remote areas and the support systems created for their social and economic growth.

Although the MSK scheme was officially discontinued in 2022, it played a crucial role in laying the foundation for future women-centric policies by promoting grassroots participation and helping countless women build confidence and self-reliance.

Objective: Empower rural women through community engagement and skill-building.

• Eligibility: Rural women aged 18–50
• Benefits: Counseling, skill training, career support
• Apply Through: District-level Women Empowerment Centers

Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)

Overview: The Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) is a welfare initiative run by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. It is a non-contributory pension scheme designed to offer financial support and social security to widowed women from economically weaker sections, particularly those living below the poverty line (BPL).

Under this scheme, eligible widows receive a monthly pension to help meet their basic needs and live with dignity. The IGNWPS plays a vital role in uplifting vulnerable women who often face financial hardship after the loss of their spouse.

Objective: Provide pension to widows living below the poverty line.

• Eligibility: Widows aged 40–59, BPL family
• Benefits: ₹300/month pension (can vary by state)
• Apply at: https://nsap.nic.in or local Gram Panchayat

Working Women Hostel Scheme

Overview: The Working Women Hostel Scheme is an initiative by the Central Government of India aimed at providing safe, affordable, and accessible accommodation for women who migrate from their hometowns for employment or education. The scheme is especially beneficial for women without immediate family support or secure housing options in urban and semi-urban areas.

The core objective of the scheme is to empower women by enabling them to live and work independently in a secure environment. To support this goal, the government offers grant-in-aid to NGOs, institutions, and other organizations to construct new hostels or upgrade existing facilities across towns, cities, and rural areas.

By ensuring that working women have access to reliable lodging near their workplace, the scheme helps eliminate a major barrier to women’s participation in the workforce.

Objective: Offer safe and affordable accommodation to working women.

• Eligibility: Employed women earning below ₹50,000/month
• Benefits: Subsidized hostel facility
• Apply Through: Women & Child Development Department

Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)

Overview: In order to provide rural and underprivileged households that were previously using traditional cooking fuels like firewood, coal, cow dung cakes, etc. with access to clean cooking fuel like LPG, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MOPNG) launched the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) in May 2016. Both the ecology and the health of rural women suffered from the use of traditional cooking fuels.

The Hon. Prime Minister of India, Shri. Narendra Modi, introduced the program in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, on May 1, 2016.

Objective: Provide LPG connections to women from poor households.

• Eligibility: Women from BPL families or SECC data
• Benefit: Free gas connection and first refill
• Apply at: https://pmuy.gov.in or nearest gas agency

Required Documents for Apply

• Aadhaar Card
• Income Certificate
• Caste Certificate (if applicable)
• Ration Card
• Bank Account Passbook
• Passport-size Photo

Conclusion

In 2025, the Indian government continues to support women through impactful schemes focused on education, health, safety, and financial freedom. Make sure you or the women in your family take full advantage of these Sarkari Yojanas.

📢 Stay tuned for updates and share this article with someone who could benefit.