Beti Bachao Beti Padhao: Achievements and Challenges- Explained Pointwise
Red Book
Red Book

Mains Guidance Program (MGP) for UPSC CSE 2026, Cohort-1 starts 11th February 2025. Registrations Open Click Here to know more and registration.

Ten years ago, on January 22, 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative with the ambitious goal of addressing the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and promoting the survival, protection, and education of the girl child.

To mark its 10th anniversary, a nationwide celebration from January 22, 2025, to March 8, 2025, is underway, aligning with India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. However over the past decade, the scheme has seen both significant achievements and notable challenges, shaping its legacy as a transformative program for gender equity in India.

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
Source- Webcast
Table of Content
What is the overview of the BBBP Scheme?
What is the current performance and progress of BBBP?
What are the transformative initiatives to raise awareness among target groups and stakeholders?
What is the overall assessment of the program?
What are the future Goals of the program?
Way Forward: The “MERI-BETI” Framework

What is the overview of the BBBP Scheme?

Launch and Objectives: BBBP was introduced in Panipat, Haryana, with the core objectives of:
a. Arresting the decline in Child Sex Ratio (CSR)
b. Preventing gender-biased sex selection.
c. Promoting the survival, protection, and education of girls.

Initially targeting 100 districts, the program expanded to cover 61 additional districts in 2015-16 and was eventually implemented across all 640 districts in India.

Integration with Mission Shakti:  BBBP is now part of Mission for implementation during the 15th Finance Commission period from 2021-2022 to 2025-2026, focusing on women’s safety and empowerment. It has two sub-schemes-
a. Sambal: Ensures safety through One Stop Centres, Women Helpline (181), and Nari Adalat for grievance redressal.
b. Samarthya: Promotes empowerment via Shakti Sadans, Sakhi Niwas, Palna-Creche, and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) for maternal health. 

Additionally, the SANKALP-HEW (Hub for Empowerment of Women) serves as a single-window mechanism for women’s welfare schemes.

Key Objectives:
a.
Improve Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) by 2 points annually.
b. Sustain institutional deliveries at 95% or above.
c. Increase first-trimester Ante-Natal Care (ANC) registration by 1% annually.
d. Boost girls’ enrollment in secondary education and skill development.
e. Reduce dropout rates among girls.
f. Promote awareness of Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM).

Target Groups
a. Primary: Young couples, expecting parents, adolescents, and communities.
b. Secondary: Schools, Anganwadi Centers, medical professionals, PRIs, SHGs, media, and religious leaders. 

Financial Structure 

Funding: 100% centrally sponsored under Mission Shakti’s Sambal vertical.
Allocation:
a. Rs. 40 lakh/year for districts with SRB ≤918.
b. Rs. 30 lakh/year for SRB 919-952.
c. Rs. 20 lakh/year for SRB >952. 

What is the current performance and progress of BBBP?

1. Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB): Mixed Progress
a. Aim: Improve SRB by 2 points annually in critical districts.
b. National SRB: Improved from 918 (2014-15) to 930 (2023-24, provisional).
c. State-wise Performance:

  • Improvement: 13 out of 22 states saw an increase in SRB (e.g., Rajasthan, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat).
  • Decline: 9 states saw a drop (e.g., Odisha, Karnataka, Bihar).
  • No Change: Maharashtra remained the same.

2. Gender Gap in Under-Five Child Mortality: Progress Made
a. Aim: Reduce gender differentials in under-five mortality by 1.5 points annually.
National Progress: Gender gap reduced from 7 points (2014) to 2 points (2020).
b. State-wise Performance:

  • Negative Differential (Girls < Boys): Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Delhi, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh.
  • Equal: 3 states.
  • Higher than National Average: Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Assam, Bihar, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh.

3. Increase in Institutional Births: Significant Improvement
a. Aim: Sustain institutional deliveries at 95% or above.
b. National Progress: Institutional deliveries rose from 78.9% (2015-16) to 88.6% (2019-21).
c. State-wise Performance: Almost all states saw an increase.

4. Rising Antenatal Checkups (ANC): Positive Trend
a. Aim: Increase 1st trimester ANC by 1% annually.
b. National Progress: ANC in the first trimester rose from 58.6% (2015-16) to 70% (2019-21).
c. State-wise Performance: Increased in most states, except Punjab and Chhattisgarh.

5. Enrollment of Girls in Secondary Education: Target Missed
a. Aim: Increase enrollment to 82% by 2018-19.
b. National Progress: Enrollment rose from 75.5% (2014-15) to 76.9% (2018-19), falling short of the target.

What are the transformative initiatives to raise awareness among target groups and stakeholders?

BBBP’s success also hinges on innovative grassroots campaigns:

1. Digital Guddi-Gudda Board: A digital platform displaying gender disparity in birth rates and disseminating information on girl child welfare schemes.

2. Udaan – Sapne Di Duniya De Rubaru: Enables girls to shadow professionals in fields of their choice, inspiring career aspirations.

3. Collector Ki Class: Free coaching and career counseling for underprivileged girls in public schools and colleges.

4. Bal Cabinet: A youth leadership program simulating government cabinets to address societal issues.

5. Yashaswini Bike Expedition (2023): 150 women bikers covered 10,000 km, symbolizing empowerment.

6. Kanya Shiksha Pravesh Utsav (2022): Re-enrolled 100,786 out-of-school girls.

What is the overall assessment of the program?

Achievements:

1. Enhanced Awareness: The campaign successfully shifted perceptions in many communities where daughters were once considered a burden.

2. Grassroots Impact: Village-level celebrations of girl child births and initiatives like “Guddi-Gudda Boards” fostered community engagement.

3. Legislative Backing: Strengthened laws like the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994.

4. Improved Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER): GER for girls in secondary education improved over the years.

5. Institutional Deliveries: A notable rise in safe deliveries across India.

Challenges:

1. Disparities in CSR: While some states show improvement, others face persistent or worsening trends.

2. Secondary Education Enrollment: The program failed to meet its target for girls’ enrollment in secondary schools.

3. Regional Disparities: Uneven implementation and resource allocation in states with varying socio-economic conditions.

4. Dropout Rates: Persistently high dropout rates, especially among adolescent girls.

What are the future Goals of the program?

1. Enforcement of PCPNDT Act: Strengthening its implementation is crucial to prevent gender-biased sex selection.

2. Tackling Dropouts: Focused measures are needed to address dropout rates and expand skill development opportunities for girls.

3. Female Labour Force Participation (FLFP): At 41.7% (2023-24), FLFP remains low. Promoting employment opportunities and recognizing care work as a profession could help bridge the gap.

4. Economic Impact: Addressing gender gaps could boost global GDP by 20%, aligning with India’s trillion-dollar economy goal.

Way Forward: The “MERI-BETI” Framework

1. M: Monitoring: Strengthen data collection and analysis through district-level dashboards and third-party audits.

2. E: Evaluation: Conduct regular impact assessments and utilize feedback for program refinement.

3. R: Resource Allocation: Ensure equitable and targeted distribution of funds based on district needs.

4. I: Innovation: Implement creative approaches like gamification to engage and empower girls.

5. B: Behavioral Change: Promote social change by involving men and boys as allies in the fight against gender bias.

6. E: Empowerment: Focus on skill development, economic independence, and leadership opportunities for girls.

7. T: Technology: Use technology to improve access to education, healthcare, and information for girls.

8. I: Inclusion: Ensure marginalized communities have equal access to program benefits.

Conclusion

The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme has made significant strides in addressing gender inequality, improving SRB, and promoting education and health for girls. However, challenges like regional disparities, unmet enrollment targets, and persistent gender bias demand renewed focus. By amplifying inclusive policies, sharpening implementation, and fostering community involvement, BBBP can continue to pave the way for a gender-equitable India, aligning with the vision of Amrit Kaal’s Vision@2047.

Read more- The Indian Express
UPSC Syllabus- GS – Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population

Discover more from Free UPSC IAS Preparation Syllabus and Materials For Aspirants

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Print Friendly and PDF
Blog
Academy
Community