A Deeper Look into the Chief Minister’s Rajshri Scheme

The Chief Minister’s Rajshri Scheme, officially known as the Mukhyamantri Rajshri Yojana, is a flagship initiative by the Rajasthan government aimed at uplifting girls and fostering gender equality. Launched on June 1, 2016, by then-Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, this scheme is a cornerstone of Rajasthan’s efforts to combat gender discrimination, promote girls’ education, and improve their health and well-being. As of May 2025, the program continues to make a significant impact, providing financial support to families across the state to ensure that girls have a brighter future. Let’s dive deeper into what this scheme is all about, its objectives, benefits, eligibility, and its broader impact on society.

What is the Chief Minister’s Rajshri Scheme?

The Mukhyamantri Rajshri Yojana is a financial assistance program designed to support the girl child from birth through her educational journey up to Class XII. The scheme offers monetary benefits to families with daughters born on or after June 1, 2016, helping them cover expenses related to upbringing, health, and education. By providing funds at key milestones in a girl’s life, the scheme aims to reduce financial burdens on parents, encourage education, and address social issues like female feticide, child marriage, and gender bias.

The scheme operates under the Women Empowerment Department of Rajasthan and is integrated with the Bhamashah Card system for seamless direct benefit transfers (DBT). It aligns with the broader “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” campaign, a national initiative to save and educate the girl child, but with a Rajasthan-specific focus tailored to the state’s socio-economic challenges.

Financial Assistance Structure

The Rajshri Scheme provides a total of ₹50,000 to eligible families, disbursed in six instalments at various stages of a girl’s life. Here’s how the payments are structured:

• At Birth: ₹2,500 is given when a girl is born in a government hospital or a private hospital registered under the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY). This initial support encourages institutional deliveries and ensures early health checkups for the newborn.

• First Birthday: ₹2,500 after the girl completes her first year, provided she has received all necessary vaccinations as per the health department’s guidelines. This promotes immunisation and early healthcare.

• Class I Enrollment: ₹4,000 when the girl enrols in Class I, supporting her entry into formal education.

• Class VI Enrollment: ₹5,000 when she reaches Class VI, helping families sustain her education during the crucial middle school years.

• Class X Enrollment: ₹11,000 upon admission to Class X, a significant amount to support her through secondary education.

• Class XII Completion: ₹25,000 after the girl passes her Class XII board exams, aiding her transition to higher education or vocational training.

For families with a third daughter, the scheme provides the first two installments (totaling ₹5,000), ensuring some level of support even for larger families.

Objectives of the Scheme

The Mukhyamantri Rajshri Yojana has several key goals, all centred around empowering girls and improving their socio-economic status in Rajasthan:

• Promote Girls’ Education: By providing financial incentives at educational milestones, the scheme encourages parents to prioritise their daughters’ schooling, reducing dropout rates.

• Combat Gender Bias: The program aims to change societal attitudes by celebrating the birth of girls and supporting their growth, countering practices like female feticide.

• Prevent Child Marriage: Financial support for education helps delay marriage by keeping girls in school longer, giving them a chance to pursue their dreams.

• Improve Health and Nutrition: Early instalments tied to vaccinations and health checkups ensure girls receive proper care during their formative years.

• Empower Families Financially: The monetary assistance reduces the financial burden on parents, particularly in low-income families, making it easier to invest in their daughters’ future.

Eligibility Criteria

To avail of the benefits under the Rajshri Scheme, families must meet the following criteria:

• Residency: The girl child and her family must be permanent residents of Rajasthan.

• Birth Date: The scheme applies to girls born on or after June 1, 2016.

• Institutional Birth: The girl must be born in a government hospital or a private hospital registered under the Janani Suraksha Yojana.

• Family Limit: Benefits are provided for the first two daughters in a family. For a third daughter, only the first two instalments (₹5,000) are given.

• Documentation:

• A Bhamashah Card (now often integrated with the Jan Aadhaar Card) is linked to a bank account for direct benefit transfers.

• An Aadhaar Card for the parents.

• Birth certificate of the girl child (for initial instalments).

• School admission certificates and Class XII pass certificate (for later instalments).

• Vaccination Records: For the second instalment, proof of completed vaccinations is required.

How to Apply for the Scheme

Applying for the Mukhyamantri Rajshri Yojana is straightforward and can be done through various channels in Rajasthan:

1. At Birth: When the girl is born in a government or JSY-registered hospital, the hospital staff typically initiates the process by registering the birth and linking it to the scheme.

2. Subsequent Instalments:

• Parents can apply through Atal Seva Kendra or e-Mitra centres in their area.

• Submit required documents like the Bhamashah/Jan Aadhaar Card, birth certificate, vaccination records, and school admission certificates (for later stages).

• For the Class X and XII instalments, provide proof of enrollment and the Class XII passing certificate.

3. Online Option: Some districts allow applications through the Rajasthan government’s official portal (like rajasthan.gov.in or the Women Empowerment Department’s website). Check for updates on the portal for online submissions.

4. Contact Support: For assistance, reach out to the Program Officer for Women’s Empowerment, the Chief Medical and Health Officer in your district, or call the toll-free helpline at 1800-180-6127.

Funds are transferred directly to the parents’ bank account linked to the Bhamashah/Jan Aadhaar Card, ensuring transparency and minimising delays.

Additional Features and Benefits

Beyond financial assistance, the Rajshri Scheme offers several indirect benefits that contribute to a girl’s overall development:

• Health and Nutrition Support: The scheme emphasises early healthcare by tying the second instalment to vaccinations, ensuring girls are protected against preventable diseases.

• Self-Employment Training: For girls who complete Class XII, the scheme encourages vocational training and self-employment opportunities, helping them become financially independent.

• Awareness Campaigns: The Rajasthan government runs awareness programs alongside the scheme to educate communities about the importance of girls’ education and health, fostering a cultural shift.

• Integration with Other Schemes: The Rajshri Yojana complements initiatives like the Janani Suraksha Yojana (for safe motherhood) and the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign, creating a holistic support system for girls.

Impact of the Scheme

Since its launch in 2016, the Mukhyamantri Rajshri Yojana has made a significant impact in Rajasthan:

• Financial Disbursement: Over ₹395 crore has been disbursed to beneficiaries, supporting lakhs of families across the state.

• Improved Girl-Child Ratio: The scheme has contributed to an increase in the sex ratio at birth by encouraging families to value daughters.

• Higher Education Enrollment: More girls are staying in school through Class XII, with the ₹25,000 final instalment acting as a major incentive for higher education or skill development.

• Reduced Dropout Rates: Financial support at key educational stages has lowered dropout rates, especially in rural areas where families often struggle to afford schooling for girls.

• Community Awareness: The scheme has helped shift societal attitudes, with more families celebrating the birth of girls and prioritising their education.

Challenges and Areas for Improvement

While the Rajshri Scheme has been largely successful, there are a few challenges that could be addressed:

• Awareness in Rural Areas: Some families in remote regions are still unaware of the scheme or face difficulties in accessing e-Mitra centres for applications.

• Documentation Barriers: The requirement for a Bhamashah/Jan Aadhaar Card and a linked bank account can be a hurdle for families without proper documentation.

• Monitoring and Follow-Up: Ensuring that girls remain in school and receive all instalments requires better tracking mechanisms to prevent dropouts after the early stages.

The Rajasthan government has been working to address these issues by increasing awareness campaigns and simplifying the application process through digital platforms.

Final Thoughts

The Chief Minister’s Rajshri Scheme is a powerful initiative that reflects Rajasthan’s commitment to empowering its girls. By providing financial support at critical stages—from birth to Class XII—the scheme ensures that girls have access to education, healthcare, and opportunities for a better future. It tackles deep-rooted issues like gender discrimination and child marriage while giving families the resources they need to invest in their daughters. If you’re a parent in Rajasthan with a daughter born on or after June 1, 2016, this scheme can be a game-changer for her growth and success. For more details, contact your local authorities or call the toll-free helpline at 1800-180-6127, and take the first step toward securing a brighter future for your daughter!