The National Girl Child Day is celebrated on January 24. The National Girl Child Day is observed to mark the anniversary of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Scheme’ (save the girl child, educate the girl child) first launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22, 2015.

There are many government departments and private organisations that offer scholarship and fellowship opportunities to female students in the country. Here is a list of government scholarships for women and girl students:

Under AICTE Pragati Scholarship for Girls, students studying in their first year of a technical diploma or degree course at an AICTE-recognised institution will receive financial aid to continue their education. The application for this usually opens in September and closes in October.

This scholarship is meant to support postgraduate studies of the students who are the only girl child of their parents. Applicants taking admission in the first year of full-time master’s degree programme can avail this scholarship. This scholarship is offered by the University Grants Commission (UGC). Application for this scholarship usually opens in January.

Under the Single Girl Child scholarship scheme, students will get Rs 500 per month. The monthly tuition fee must not exceed Rs 1,500 per month in Class 10 and 10 per cent enhancement in Class 11 and Class 12. To be eligible for this, candidates should be the only child in the family. They should have cleared Class 10 with 60 per cent from a CBSE affiliated school, and should also be currently in Class 11 from the same school. The application is underway and will continue till October.

The Department of Science and Technology offers this scholarship to encourage women scientists and technologists who are taking a break in their careers. Application generally begins in February and women scientists/technologists between 27 and 57 years of age can apply.

This scholarship offers financial assistance to minority community girl students studying in Class 9 to 12. Tuition fee assistance along with other benefits can be availed by the girl students enrolled in this scholarship. The Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF) under the Ministry of Minority Affairs offers this scholarship. The application tentatively begins in September.