New Delhi: Since its launch in 2008, enrolment under the Delhi Ladli Scheme has declined sharply. The number of beneficiaries has dropped by 67.3%, from 1,25,337 in 2008 to 40,873 in 2025–26 (till Feb). A similar trend is visible in stage-wise claims, or “renewals”, which have also reduced over time.The scheme was introduced to empower the girl child by promoting education, improving the sex ratio and addressing issues such as female foeticide. Eligibility requires the girl to be born in Delhi, with the family residing in the city for at least three years and having an annual income below Rs 1 lakh. Enrolment is allowed at several stages, including birth, school admissions in classes I, VI, and IX, after Class X, and at Class XII.Financial assistance is provided through investments made in the girl’s name, with funds released at key milestones and disbursed at maturity along with returns. SBI Life Insurance Company Ltd manages the funds under the ‘SBI Life Dhanrashi’ policy, following an MoU signed with Delhi govt in 2008. At maturity, the amount is transferred directly to the beneficiary’s bank account.Year-wise data shows the scheme performed strongest in its initial years, with enrolment rising from about 1.3 lakh in 2008–09 to a peak of nearly 1.4 lakh in 2009–10. This momentum was short-lived, with numbers falling to just over 1 lakh in 2011–12 and further to about 89,000 by 2013–14, a drop of nearly 36% from the peak.The decline steepened later, with enrolments falling to about 60,800 in 2018–19 and 46,660 in 2019–20, marking an overall drop of nearly 66% from 2009–10 levels. A modest recovery followed after 2020, with enrolments rising to over 61,500 in 2020–21 and stabilising in the low 60,000s over the next two years. The upward trend continued in 2023–24, when enrolments crossed 72,000, a year-on-year increase of about 12%.However, the recovery has been uneven. Enrolment has not crossed one lakh since 2010–11, and the overall decline from its peak remains at 67.3%. For 2025–26, enrolment stands at around 40,800 till Feb, indicating incomplete data for the current year.Ekramul Haque of NGO Mission Taleem flagged persistent implementation gaps. “The process is complicated. Applicants are often turned away from online submission and asked to visit offices. There’s little accountability in schools, no fixed timelines, and awareness is very low,” he said.Weak govt outreach leaves NGOs to bridge the gap, he added. “People keep receipts but don’t know what happens next or when they’ll get benefits. There’s no clarity or support, especially for private school students. The scheme should be open year-round, with online submissions encouraged.”Officials from the department of women and child development said 2025–26 was a transition year, as the scheme is being modified and upgraded with better incentives to promote girls’ higher education. “It is now being replaced with the Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana, which will be effective from the next financial year,” an official said.At the school level, efforts are being made to improve awareness. Joginder Kumar, principal of Govt Co-Ed Sarvodaya Vidyalaya in Rohini Sector 21, said an awareness drive was conducted to promote enrolment and renewals.“The programme covered eligibility, documentation and application procedures through assemblies and class sessions. The school management committee engaged parents and supported documentation while teachers guided students individually,” he said, adding the initiative helped improve participation in the scheme.Beyond the Ladli scheme, other social welfare programmes show varied performance in 2025–26. Assistance for children of incarcerated parents saw low uptake, with Rs 9.4 lakh spent for 55 beneficiaries. Marriage aid disbursed Rs 8.6 crore to 2,876 beneficiaries. Pension schemes dominated, with Rs 1,053 crore for 4.1 lakh women and Rs 1,230 crore for 4.4 lakh senior citizens, while Rs 385.6 crore supported 1.4 lakh persons with special needs.
