The West Bengal government has announced a new financial assistance programme designed to encourage higher education among young women while addressing the issue of child marriage. Under the initiative, unmarried female students enrolling in undergraduate programmes at government and government-aided colleges will be eligible for a one-time grant of Rs. 50,000.

The scheme was presented as part of the state budget, with the administration stating that the support aims to improve college participation among women and reduce dropout rates. A budget allocation of Rs. 1,000 crore has been earmarked for the programme.

Focus on Education and Social Development

The initiative comes at a time when concerns remain regarding educational discontinuation among girls and the prevalence of early marriages in certain regions of the state. According to data released by the Ministry of Education, West Bengal recorded a secondary school dropout rate of 17.8% during FY24.

Beyond education, the programme is intended to contribute to improvements in social indicators such as adolescent pregnancy and child marriage. Recent demographic data indicates that West Bengal continues to face challenges in both areas.

The state has one of the country's highest teenage fertility levels, with 7.7% fertility among girls aged 15–19 years. Additionally, 6.3% of women are reported to have entered marriage before reaching the legal age of 18.

National statistics for 2024 show an adolescent birth rate of 10.9 for the 15–19 age group. West Bengal recorded the highest rate at 22.9, followed by Assam (18.1) and Jharkhand (17.2). Lower rates were observed in Delhi (2.6), Jammu & Kashmir (3.3), Kerala (4.5), and Uttarakhand (4.6).

Building on Existing Educational Support

Officials have described the new grant as an extension of the state's ongoing efforts to support girls' education. It complements the Kanyashree Prakalpa programme, which was introduced to encourage continued education and discourage early marriage.

Under Kanyashree, unmarried girls between the ages of 13 and 18 receive an annual scholarship of Rs. 1,000. Those who continue their education after turning 18 are eligible for a one-time grant of Rs. 25,000.

With the addition of the new undergraduate admission assistance, eligible students may receive cumulative financial support of approximately Rs. 80,000 from adolescence through college education.

Expert Views

Education researchers and policy experts have consistently highlighted the positive impact of direct financial assistance on female enrolment in higher education, particularly among students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

While financial incentives can encourage families to prioritize education and delay early marriages, experts also emphasize the importance of awareness campaigns, community participation, and long-term social interventions to address the root causes of child marriage.