Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

Background

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, the Government of India launched the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) on 22^nd January, 2015 at Panipat in Haryana. It was initiated as a tri-ministerial effort of Ministries of Women and Child Development, Health & Family Welfare and Human Resource Development. From 2021-22, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Ministry of Minority Affairs have also been added as partners.

Since 2021-2022, the scheme is subsumed into Mission Shakti - Sambal sub-scheme.

Overall Goal

Celebrate the Girl Child & Enable her Education

The objectives of the Scheme are as under:

• To prevent gender biased sex selective elimination
• To ensure survival and protection of the girl child
• To ensure education and participation of the girl child
• To increase girl's participation in the fields of sports

Target

BBBP scheme aims to achieve the following:

• Improvement in the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) by 2 points every year,
• Improvement in the percentage of institutional deliveries or sustained at the rate of 95% or above,
• 1% increase in 1st Trimester ANC Registration per year, and
• 1% increase in enrolment at secondary education level and skilling of girls/women per year.
• To check dropout rate among girls at secondary and higher secondary levels.
• Raising awareness about safe menstrual hygiene management (MHM)

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:-

• Districts below the national average (87 districts/23 states);
• Districts above national average but shown declining trend (8 districts/8 states)
• 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 districts of the country was launched on 8th March 2018.

Target group

1. Primary : Young and newly married couples and expecting parents, Adolescents (girls and boys) and youth, Households and communities
2. Secondary : Schools and AWCs, Medical doctors/ practitioners, private hospitals, nursing homes, diagnostic centres etc. Officials, PRIs/ULBs, frontline workers, Women Collectives and SHGs, civil society organizations,  media, industry, religious leaders 

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. v)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.

Project Implementation

The Ministry of Women and Child Development would be responsible for budgetary control and administration of the scheme from the Centre. A committee headed by the Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, made under the larger Mission Shakti mandate, will be the Apex Committee to review implementation of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao at regular intervals with the State Governments/UT administration

At the State level, the overall implementation of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao will be done by a Committee, made for Mission Shakti, headed by the Chief Secretary. The committee will constitute officers from the Department of Women and Child Development, Social Welfare Department and other relevant departments of concerned States/UTs.

At District level, the overall implementation will be done by the Mission Shakti Committee headed by District Magistrate/District Collector and constituting
officers in charge of the Women and Child Development Department (DPO/DWO/DCPO etc.) and other nodal departments.

To read the complete scheme guidelines, click here

Related resources

• Brochure English
• Handout
• Posters

Caution against spurious schemes being floated in the name of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

It has come to the notice of Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of India that certain unauthorised sites/organisations/NGOs/individuals are distributing illegal forms in the name of cash incentive under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme. The Ministry of Women & Child Development has taken up this matter with the State Government Authorities where this illegal activity has taken place namely Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Bihar. However, it has come to our notice that the fraud in name of BBBP is taking place in Delhi also. The matter has been reported from different parts of Delhi, particularly in Tikri, Bhatti Khurd, Dakshinpuri Extension, Sangam Vihar, Sanjay Colony, Sarita Vihar, Adarsh Nagar and JJ Colony.

It is clarified that the scheme has no provision of individual CASH TRANSFER by Government of India. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme focuses on challenging mindsets and deep rooted patriarchy in the societal system, strict enforcement of PC&PNDT Act, advancing education of the girl child. The focus is on issues of women empowerment over a life cycle continuum. It is not a DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) scheme.

The fraud being perpetuated in name of BBBP is a very serious matter and if any such incidence comes to your knowledge, please report it to the nearest police station and the concerned District Collector/ District Magistrate. The Ministry of Women & Child Development (MWCD) has advised people against falling into trap of such frauds through various print and electronic platforms. It may be noted that distribution of such forms is completely illegal and there is no cash incentive associated in any form with the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme.

The Ministry advises that no personal details should be shared in this regard and no one should subscribe to such fraudulent scheme and not to send any such fake form to the Ministry of WCD or any other Government Department.

The case has also been referred to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for investigation keeping in view the public interest and gravity of the matter.

Source: Ministry of Women & Child Development