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West Bengal Joins Beti Bachao Beti Padhao; Schoolgirl Scholarship Doubled to Rs 2,000 from 2027

Target:UPSC GS-IMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
15 Aug 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:Rs 2,000 scholarship per yearRs 1,000 previous scholarshipRs 25,000 one-time grant9.48 lakh girls received Rs 1,0001.29 lakh girls received Rs 25,000Rs 418 crore total disbursement
Bodies:West Bengal GovernmentGovernment of India
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari announced joining of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme; annual scholarship doubled to Rs 2,000 from next academic session (2027).

2.One-time grant of Rs 25,000 for unmarried women turning 18 remains intact; total disbursement of Rs 418 crore made to eligible girls.

3.New helpline 181 for women-related schemes and 'PALNA' creche initiative launched at Anganwadi centres to support working mothers.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

West Bengal officially joins Centre's Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme. Annual scholarship for schoolgirls doubled from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 from 2027 session. New helpline 181 and creche initiative 'PALNA' launched to boost female workforce participation. Key for aspirants tracking state-level implementation of central schemes.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Scholarship (New)Rs 2,000/year (doubled from Rs 1,000)
One-Time GrantRs 25,000 at age 18 (unchanged)
Disbursement (Total)Rs 418 crore
Eligible Girls (Rs 1,000)9.48 lakh out of 10.77 lakh
Girls Received Rs 25,0001.29 lakh
Helpline Number181
New Creche SchemePALNA
Date of AnnouncementAugust 14, 2026 (Kanya Ratna Day)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Scholarship (New): Rs 2,000/year (doubled from Rs 1,000)
  • ›One-Time Grant: Rs 25,000 at age 18 (unchanged)
  • ›Target this Data: Scholarship doubled from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 from 2027 session; one-time grant Rs 25,000 untouched; total disbursement Rs 418 crore; 9.48 lakh girls got Rs 1,000; 1.29 lakh got Rs 25,000; helpline 181.
  • ›Target this Scheme: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (launched 2015) – now implemented in all states; PALNA creche scheme for working women.
  • ›Target this Day: August 14 – Kanya Ratna Day (formerly Kanyashree Divas) in West Bengal; also Partition Horrors Remembrance Day.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

What is the name of the new creche initiative launched by the West Bengal government for children of working women?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements:

1. The annual scholarship for schoolgirls in West Bengal has been doubled from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 effective from the next academic session.

2. The one-time financial grant for unmarried women turning 18 has been increased from Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000.

3. A new helpline number 181 has been made operational for women-related government schemes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the article, how many eligible schoolgirls in West Bengal received Rs 1,000 each as part of the disbursement?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary objective of the PALNA creche initiative announced in the news?

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