How is CM Yogi-led UP govt’s mass marriage scheme benefiting over 4 lakh underprivileged families?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Significant financial support of Rs 1 lakh per couple.
- Over 4 lakh marriages facilitated since 2017.
- Supports Dalit, backward, and minority communities.
- Strengthens community bonds through collective participation.
- Promotes social dignity and inclusion for women.
New Delhi, Dec 14 (NationPress) As the wedding season gains momentum in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's Mass Marriage Scheme stands out as a significant social welfare initiative designed for economically disadvantaged families, especially those belonging to Dalit, backward, minority, and other marginalized groups.
Initiated in 2017, this scheme seeks to alleviate the financial strain associated with marriages for poor families, while also ensuring dignity and social inclusion for daughters.
Throughout the last eight years, the initiative has facilitated over four lakh marriages, with ceremonies organized collectively and in line with religious customs.
This financial year has seen an extraordinary response.
With a target of 57,000 beneficiaries for 2025–26, the state government has already garnered more than 1.20 lakh applications.
Of these, over 21,000 have been approved, and more than 14,000 marriages have already taken place.
Officials anticipate that these numbers will rise significantly in the upcoming months as more applications are processed.
According to official reports, the scheme has aided over 2.20 lakh daughters from impoverished Dalit families, making them the largest beneficiary group. This is followed by more than 1.30 lakh beneficiaries from backward classes and over 40,000 from minority communities. Additionally, around 16,000 families from the general category have also benefited.
Each couple is provided with financial support of Rs 1 lakh, which covers essential wedding items, a cash transfer directly deposited into the bride's bank account, and comprehensive arrangements for the wedding.
The Uttar Pradesh government emphasizes that this support ensures both social dignity and economic security for the newlyweds.
R.P. Singh, Nodal Officer of the initiative, stated that the program extends beyond mere financial support.
"It fosters collective participation, strengthens community ties, and honors women's dignity. Our goal is to ensure that financial limitations do not prevent any daughter from having a respectable marriage," he noted.
Data for 2025–26 reveals that 6,556 Dalit couples and 5,500 OBC couples have benefited thus far, along with 828 couples from minority communities and 494 from the general category.
Since its launch, the state government has allocated over Rs 2,200 crore to the scheme, with Rs 550 crore earmarked for the current financial year.
Officials assert that the program's inclusive nature—covering marriages across Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Christian traditions—has fostered social harmony while providing valuable support to underprivileged families throughout the state.