In India, National Girl Child Day is celebrated every year on January 24. The objective is to enhance consciousness regarding the entitlements of female minors, emphasising the significance of their education, health, and nutrition, and enhancing their position in society to guarantee an enhanced standard of living.
To commemorate National Girl Child Day 2024, let us explore the five most prominent scholarship schemes provided to female students in India.

1. AICTE Pragati Scholarship

Objective: The AICTE Pragati Scholarship for Girls aims to provide assistance and encouragement to female students in India who are pursuing technical education.

Eligibility Criteria: 
Candidates must be enrolled in the first year of a Degree or Diploma programme at an institute authorised by AICTE, through the centralised admission process of the State/Centre Government. Each family is permitted to have only one female child, with the possibility of extending this limit to two female children if the family's annual income is below the amount of Rs. 8 Lakh. When determining the financial status of a married girl child, the income of both their parents and in-laws is taken into account.

Amount of Scholarship

• The tuition fee is capped at Rs. 30,000 or the real amount, whichever is lower.
• Incidental Amount: Rs. 2,000/- per month, totaling Rs. 20,000/- annually over 10 months.
• Reimbursement for candidates availing tuition fee waiver.

2. Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship

Objective: The Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship, formerly known as Maulana Azad National Scholarship, promotes excellent girl students from Minority Communities. Acceptable for school/college fees, syllabus books, stationery/equipment, and boarding/lodging expenditures.

Eligibility Conditions:

Open to girl students from six designated Minority Communities with a minimum 50% marks in the previous qualifying exam and an annual income not exceeding Rs. 2.00 lakh.

Amount of Scholarship

• Rs. 5,000/- per month for Class IX & X.
• Rs. 6,000/- per month for Class XI & XII.

3. Post-Graduate Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child

Objective: This fellowship intends to assist single girl children pursuing non-professional post-graduate study.

Eligibility Conditions: Applicable to unmarried girl children who have accepted admission in regular, full-time 1st-year Master's Degree programmes in recognized institutions or post-graduate colleges. Distance education courses are not covered.

Scholarship Amount:

•  Rs. 2,000/- a month for a two-year period during the whole duration of the post-graduate course.

4. CBSE Merit Scholarship Scheme for Single Girl Child

Objective: The plan rewards parents' efforts in promoting education for girls and provides encouragement to excellent pupils.

Eligibility Conditions: Open to single girl students with 60% or more marks in CBSE Class X, studying in Class XI & XII in CBSE-affiliated institutions with tuition costs not exceeding Rs. 1,500/- p.m.

Scholarship Amount:

• Rs. 500/- each month for a maximum length of two years.

5. Women Scientist Scheme-B (WOS-B)

Objective: DST's Women Scientist Scheme-B addresses challenges faced by women with a break in their S&T careers, offering opportunities for their return.

Eligibility Conditions: Open to women aged 27-57 with qualifications in S&T areas. Permanent employees are ineligible.

Scholarship Amount

• Ph.D. or equivalent: Rs. 55,000/- per month
• M.Phil./MTech or equivalent: Rs. 40,000/- per month
• M.Sc. or equivalent: Rs. 31,000/- per month