Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Introduction

• On January 22, 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative in Panipat, Haryana, marking a significant step towards addressing India’s declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and promoting the survival, protection, and education of the girl child. 
• As the program celebrates its 10th anniversary from January 22, 2025, to March 8, 2025, it is integral to India’s larger vision of becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
•  This milestone offers an opportunity to evaluate the achievements, challenges, and the transformative legacy of the BBBP in shaping gender equity in India.

The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme

• • BBBP was launched with three core objectives to address gender imbalances in India:
    • Arresting the decline in Child Sex Ratio (CSR)
    • Preventing gender-biased sex selection
    • Promoting the survival, protection, and education of girls
  • Initially, the scheme targeted 100 districts with the worst CSR, but it was soon expanded to cover 61 more districts in 2015-16.
  •  Today, it is implemented across all 640 districts of India, making it a pan-India initiative aimed at influencing societal attitudes towards the girl child.

• Integration with Mission Shakti: 

• • BBBP became a crucial part of Mission Shakti, which focuses on women’s safety, security, and empowerment. 
  • The integration of BBBP with Mission Shakti during the 15th Finance Commission period (2021-2026) brought forward two key sub-schemes:

• Sambal: This sub-scheme focuses on ensuring the safety and well-being of women through services like One Stop Centres, Women Helplines (181), and Nari Adalat for grievance redressal.
• Samarthya: It aims at empowering women by providing support for maternal health through Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) and creating safe spaces such as Shakti Sadans and Palna-Creche for childcare.

• Additionally, SANKALP-HEW (Hub for Empowerment of Women) acts as a single-window mechanism for women’s welfare schemes, ensuring greater reach and efficacy.

• Key Objectives and Achievements of BBBP: BBBP aimed to tackle several critical challenges related to gender imbalance. The key objectives of the program include:

• • • Improving the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) by 2 points annually, especially in critical districts. 
    • Sustaining institutional deliveries above 95%. 
    • Increasing first-trimester Ante-Natal Care (ANC) registrations by 1% annually. 
    • Boosting girls’ enrollment in secondary education and promoting skill development. 
    • Reducing dropout rates among girls. 
    • Promoting menstrual hygiene management (MHM). 

• Target Groups and Financial Structure: BBBP targets both primary and secondary groups:

• • Primary Target: Young couples, expecting parents, adolescents, and communities.
  • Secondary Target: Schools, Anganwadi Centers, healthcare professionals, PRIs, SHGs, media, and religious leaders.
  • The financial structure of BBBP operates as a centrally sponsored scheme, with funds allocated according to the SRB of each district:

• Rs. 40 lakh/year for districts with SRB ≤918
• Rs. 30 lakh/year for districts with SRB between 919-952
• Rs. 20 lakh/year for districts with SRB >952

• Eligibility:

• The family should have a girl child below 10 years of age.
• There should be a Sukanya Samriddhi Account or SSA which has been opened in any Indian bank, in the name of the girl child in the family.
• The girl child should be a resident Indian. NRI citizens do not possess eligibility for the BBBP scheme.

Current Progress and Performance of BBBP

• Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB):
  • National Improvement: The national SRB has improved from 918 girls per 1,000 boys in 2014-15 to 930 girls per 1,000 boys in 2023-24. This demonstrates a positive trend towards reducing gender-biased sex selection.
  • State-wise Performance:

• Haryana: The SRB increased from 850 in 2015 to 900 in 2020, showing significant improvement due to BBBP initiatives. 

• Uttar Pradesh: In districts like Aligarh and Agra, CSR improved by more than 20 points, partly due to community awareness programs and stricter enforcement of the PCPNDT Act. 
• Madhya Pradesh: While the state recorded an increase in SRB from 905 to 915, it still lags behind other states and requires further intervention to curb gender-biased sex selection practices.

• Gender Gap in Under-Five Child Mortality:
  • National Reduction: The gender gap in under-five mortality has decreased from 7 points in 2014 to just 2 points in 2020, indicating a reduction in gender-based disparities in child survival. 
  • State-wise Performance:

• Kerala: Kerala reported an equal child mortality rate for boys and girls in 2020, illustrating its successful public health interventions.
• Chhattisgarh: However, Chhattisgarh, along with states like Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab, reported persistent gender gaps in under-five mortality, with higher female mortality than male, especially in rural areas.

• Institutional Deliveries:
  • National Growth: Institutional deliveries rose significantly from 78.9% in 2015-16 to 88.6% in 2019-21, improving the safety of mothers and babies (National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2019-21).
• State-wise Performance:

• Uttar Pradesh: Institutional deliveries rose from 60.8% in 2015-16 to 75.4% in 2020-21, particularly due to initiatives like Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK).
• Maharashtra: The state has successfully maintained institutional deliveries above 90%, with district-level initiatives ensuring that more women are giving birth in health centers rather than at home. 

• Ante-Natal Care (ANC):
  • National Trend: First-trimester ANC registration increased from 58.6% in 2015-16 to 70% in 2019-21, indicating improved access to early maternal healthcare. 
  • State-wise Performance:

• Bihar: ANC registration in the first trimester increased by 10%, reaching 65% in 2021, driven by increased awareness campaigns in rural areas.
• Punjab: Despite the national improvement, Punjab has seen a decline in ANC registration, with figures dropping from 76% to 72% in 2021, highlighting gaps in healthcare outreach and services. 

• Girls’ Enrollment in Secondary Education:
  • National Progress: The enrollment of girls in secondary education improved from 75.5% (2014-15) to 76.9% (2018-19), although the target of 82% was not reached. 
  • State-wise Performance:

• Kerala: Kerala saw an enrollment rate of 91.7% for girls in secondary education, continuing to lead the nation.
• Rajasthan: Rajasthan experienced a significant improvement in girls’ secondary education enrollment from 67% in 2015 to 79% in 2020, thanks to schemes like Shala Darpan and Kishori Shakti Yojana.
• Bihar: The enrollment rate in Bihar remained relatively low at 65% in 2020, revealing that despite efforts, large parts of the state still face challenges in girls’ education. 

• Gender-Based Violence and Safety:
  • National Reduction: The creation of One Stop Centres and the launch of the Women Helpline (181) have played crucial roles in offering immediate support to victims of gender-based violence. As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) Report, 2020, the number of women seeking assistance through these services has increased by 30%, signifying better awareness and access to help.
  • State-wise Performance:

• Delhi: The Delhi government has initiated several safety measures, including better street lighting, patrolling, and the Sambal Scheme, resulting in a 40% increase in women reporting harassment and violence incidents in public spaces.
• Chhattisgarh: The state has seen a 15% increase in the reporting of domestic violence incidents due to better implementation of legal frameworks and women-centered services. 

• Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM):
  • National Trend: There has been a sharp rise in awareness around menstrual hygiene, with government programs helping distribute sanitary products to rural areas. According to UNICEF India, the number of adolescent girls using sanitary pads increased by 30% in districts with active BBBP campaigns.
• Dropout Rates among Girls:
  • National Trend: Dropout rates among girls, particularly in rural and tribal regions, remain a significant concern. In 2020, the dropout rate for girls in classes 9 and 10 stood at approximately 17%, higher than the national average for boys. 
  • State-wise Performance:

• Madhya Pradesh: In districts with high dropout rates, intervention programs have reduced dropout rates from 21% to 14% over the past five years, indicating the potential impact of focused strategies.
• Odisha: In Odisha, dropout rates for girls in rural areas remain high, despite improvements in primary education enrolment. 

Transformative Initiatives for Awareness and Engagement

• BBBP has introduced several grassroots-level campaigns to raise awareness and engage local communities, contributing significantly to the program’s success:
• Digital Guddi-Gudda Board: A digital platform that highlights the gender disparity in birth rates and disseminates information about girl child welfare schemes.
• Udaan: An initiative enabling girls to shadow professionals in various fields, encouraging career aspirations.
• Collector Ki Class: A free coaching and career counseling program for underprivileged girls in public schools and colleges.
• Bal Cabinet: A youth leadership program that simulates government decision-making, providing young people with the opportunity to address societal issues.
• Yashaswini Bike Expedition: A campaign where 150 women bikers traveled 10,000 km, symbolizing empowerment and resilience.
• Kanya Shiksha Pravesh Utsav: A mass re-enrollment drive that successfully brought over 100,000 out-of-school girls back to education.

Future Goals of BBBP

• Strengthening the Enforcement of PCPNDT Act: Effective enforcement of laws to prevent gender-biased sex selection is crucial. Continued focus on this area is necessary to address the gender imbalance at birth.
• Addressing Dropout Rates: Measures need to be implemented to reduce dropout rates, particularly in rural areas, through improved access to education and skill development programs for girls.
• Increasing Female Labor Force Participation (FLFP): FLFP remains low at 41.7%, and promoting employment opportunities for women will contribute to bridging this gap. In states like Bihar, the FLFP stands at just 27%, making it critical to address this disparity (Source: National Sample Survey, 2020).
• Economic Impact: Bridging gender gaps in education and employment could increase India’s GDP by up to 20%, a significant boost towards achieving the nation’s goal of a trillion-dollar economy (Source: McKinsey Global Institute, 2021).

Achievements of BBBP

• Raising Awareness: The BBBP program has contributed to changing societal perceptions of girls, especially in communities where the birth of a girl child was once viewed with reluctance. In Haryana, which faced one of the worst child sex ratios in the country, village-level initiatives like the Guddi-Gudda boards have successfully encouraged the celebration of the birth of a girl child. In Panipat, for instance, the initiative led to the establishment of community-run boards that highlight positive gender ratios and promote the value of the girl child. 
• Increased Awareness in Rural Areas: In districts such as Sonepat and Jind, where gender-biased sex selection was prevalent, awareness campaigns through public meetings and posters have led to greater recognition of the importance of gender equality. According to the Ministry of Women and Child Development Report, 2021, such campaigns have led to a 12% increase in community support for female children over five years.
• Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) for Girls in Secondary Education: The enrollment of girls in secondary education has shown a steady increase. Nationally, GER for girls improved from 75.5% (2014-15) to 76.9% (2018-19), although the target of 82% was not reached This increase has been significantly driven by the implementation of schemes like Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) and Scholarships for Girls under BBBP.

• Kerala: Known for its high literacy rates, Kerala continues to lead the way with a 91.7% enrollment rate for girls in secondary education, largely attributed to effective state policies, inclusive programs, and community participation. 
• Maharashtra: Maharashtra has improved enrollment rates from 72% in 2014 to 85% in 2020, with a marked increase in rural areas due to better access to schools, vocational training, and school infrastructure. 

• Higher Institutional Deliveries: The rise in institutional deliveries has been one of the significant achievements of the BBBP program. The national rate of institutional deliveries rose from 78.9% in 2015-16 to 88.6% in 2019-21, reducing the risks associated with home births and improving maternal and child health.

• Uttar Pradesh: Uttar Pradesh, which had one of the lowest institutional delivery rates, saw a sharp increase, rising from 60.8% in 2015-16 to 75.4% in 2020-21. 
• Madhya Pradesh: Madhya Pradesh also saw a notable rise in institutional deliveries, from 68% in 2015 to 83% in 2021 due to improved access to healthcare facilities and the introduction of mobile health units in remote areas. 
• Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act: The implementation of the PCPNDT Act has been strengthened under BBBP. This has helped prevent gender-biased sex selection and contributed to reducing female feticide. As per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the number of female feticide cases has significantly declined, especially in states like Punjab and Haryana.
• Punjab: The PCPNDT Act’s strict enforcement led to a 20% reduction in gender-based abortions between 2015 and 2020, as per data from the Punjab State Health Department, 2020. The state has also implemented measures such as the Feticide Awareness Campaign, which has contributed to a societal shift against gender-biased sex selection.
• Haryana: Similarly, in Haryana, the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) has improved from 850 girls per 1,000 boys in 2015 to 900 girls per 1,000 boys in 2020, partly due to better monitoring and stricter legal measures. 

• • Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM): BBBP’s focus on menstrual hygiene has led to significant improvements in menstrual health awareness. According to UNICEF India (2022), the use of sanitary products among adolescent girls has increased by 30% in areas with active BBBP campaigns.

• A Global Model for Gender Empowerment: India’s Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative has set a global benchmark for gender equality, aligning with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 5. 

• The nation’s progress is evident in the improved child sex ratio, rising female leadership, and growing participation in STEM, where women now account for 43% of enrollments.

• Over 2,100 female scientists have benefited from WISE-KIRAN, with 340+ supported through major fellowships. India’s efforts reinforce that women are key drivers of change across all sectors.

• Women Empowerment:  Women’s representation in leadership has surged, with women MPs rising from 59 in 2009 to 78 in 2019-24. In the armed forces, women officers have grown from 3,000 in 2014-15 to nearly 10,400 today. Breaking barriers in politics and defense, they continue to excel across all fields.

• Financial Inclusion: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao thrives through interconnected policies. Jan Dhan Yojana has provided banking access to over 30 crore women, while Ayushman Bharat has issued 36 crore health cards, with 49% owned by women. The Lakhpati Didi initiative has empowered over 1 crore women to earn ₹1 lakh annually, fostering financial independence.

Challenges of BBBP

• Dropout Rates: Despite initiatives, dropout rates remain high, particularly in rural and tribal areas. In 2020, approximately 17% of girls dropped out in classes 9 and 10, which is a major concern for the program. 
• CSR Disparities: Despite the overall improvement in CSR, several states still face challenges. States like Odisha, Karnataka, and Bihar are struggling with persistently low CSR, indicating that more focused efforts are needed.
• Secondary Education Enrollment Target Missed: Although there was progress in secondary education enrollment, the target of 82% enrollment for girls was not achieved. The national enrollment rate for girls reached only 76.9%, highlighting the need for continued efforts. 
• Regional Disparities: Uneven implementation across states, especially those with varying socio-economic conditions, has affected the program’s reach and effectiveness. For example, districts in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh continue to report low enrollment rates and high dropout rates for girls. 

Way Forward

• Strengthening the Enforcement of PCPNDT Act: The prevention of gender-biased sex selection must remain a priority, ensuring the strict implementation of existing laws.
• Reducing Dropout Rates: Targeted interventions are needed to reduce dropout rates, alongside expanded skill development opportunities for girls to improve retention.
• Increasing Female Labour Force Participation (FLFP): FLFP remains low at 41.7%, which needs to be addressed by promoting job opportunities for women and recognizing unpaid care work as a vital profession.
• Economic Impact: Bridging gender gaps could significantly boost India’s economy, contributing to its goal of becoming a trillion-dollar economy.