Uttar Pradesh Boosts Girls' Education, Women's Welfare with Major Scheme Expansions

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has recently underscored women's health, education, and empowerment as critical to India's future, highlighting significant progress across the state since 2017. He cited dramatic improvements in school facilities, with basic amenities in primary schools soaring from 36% to over 96% under 'Operation Kayakalp', and the school dropout rate plummeting from 20% to below 3%. These figures come as the state actively implements broad welfare initiatives, including the ongoing 'Mission Shakti 6.0' campaign, which focuses on enhancing safety, dignity, and self-reliance for women. At the heart of these efforts is the 'Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana', a flagship scheme that now provides eligible girls with up to ₹25,000 in financial aid from birth through graduation, an increase from the previous ₹15,000, effective April 1, 2024. The state also recently sanctioned ₹604 crore for the revamp of over 3,100 primary and upper primary schools, enhancing infrastructure with earthquake-resistant designs and modern classrooms. These initiatives are complemented by the expansion of digital libraries to 57,600 gram panchayats and the establishment of 'Atal Residential Schools' and upgraded 'Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas' to provide modern, quality education to disadvantaged girls. Looking ahead, the Uttar Pradesh government aims to achieve a zero dropout rate and continues to integrate women into economic leadership through policies like enhanced incentives for women-led startups. 'Mission Shakti 6.0', running until October 20, 2026, is intensifying public awareness, cyber safety workshops, and police outreach, alongside increasing women's representation in the Provincial Armed Constabulary. These steps reflect a comprehensive strategy to empower women from their earliest years to professional life, ensuring their holistic development and contribution to the state's prosperity.