SHIMLA, Feb 20 – Himachal Pradesh has expanded its flagship social welfare program to provide financial aid to daughters of widows pursuing professional degree education outside the state, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Friday.
The move, part of a broader “Vayastha Parivartan” (systemic change) initiative, amends the Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojna to cover eligible women up to the age of 27. The scheme originally focused on providing health and education support to children of destitute, divorced, or disabled parents until the age of 18.
Under the new provisions, students enrolled in government-run professional courses outside Himachal Pradesh will receive a monthly allowance of ₹3,000 for up to 10 months. The stipend is intended to cover rent or paying guest accommodations in instances where government hostels are unavailable.
Key Program Detail
The expanded scheme covers a wide array of disciplines, including:
- Technical & Medical: Engineering, Technology, and Allied Health Sciences.
- Vocational: IT certifications, Petrochemicals Engineering, and Craftsmen Training.
- Professional: Law, Business Management, and Computer Applications.
Fiscal Impact and Reach
The state government estimates that 20% of the 504 girls currently aged 18–27 under the scheme will opt for these professional courses. To meet this demand, the administration has earmarked an additional annual allocation of approximately ₹1 crore.
For the 2025-26 financial year, the state allocated a total of ₹31.01 crore for the program. As of Feb. 3, ₹22.96 crore had been utilized.
“The primary objective is to foster self-reliance among beneficiaries by providing sustained financial and logistical support,” Sukhu said, adding that the initiative aims to ensure academic ambitions are not hindered by financial constraints.
The expansion is expected to improve long-term economic independence for vulnerable groups by removing barriers to high-entry professional fields.
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