Gargi Award Scheme: ₹109 crore disbursed to 3.63 lakh girls in Rajasthan
Synopsis
Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma revealed that ₹109 crore has reached 3.63 lakh girls through the Gargi Award Scheme alone — part of a sweeping education welfare drive that has channelled over ₹900 crore across multiple DBT schemes, distributed 14 lakh bicycles and 88,000 tablets, and installed sanitary pad vending machines in 4,000-plus schools.
Key Takeaways
₹109 crore disbursed to 3.63 lakh girls under the Gargi Puraskar Yojana in Rajasthan.
More than 3 lakh girls received ₹158 crore under the Balika Protsahan Puraskar Yojana . ₹482 crore transferred via DBT to 66 lakh students for uniforms and school bags.
Over 8 crore textbooks , 14 lakh bicycles , and 88,000 tablets distributed free in the last two academic sessions.
Smart classrooms set up in more than 4,000 schools ; sanitary pad vending machines installed in over 4,000 government schools .
4.41 lakh students granted free admission under the Right to Education (RTE) Act in the same period.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, announced that ₹109 crore has been distributed to 3.63 lakh girls under the Gargi Puraskar Yojana (Gargi Award Scheme), underscoring the state government's push to incentivise girls' education and reduce dropout rates. Sharma made the announcement while addressing a Pratibha Vikas Shivir (Talent Development Camp) at Adarsh Vidya Mandir in Mansarovar, Jaipur.
Key Disbursements and Welfare Figures
Beyond the Gargi Award, Sharma disclosed that more than 3 lakh girls have received a combined ₹158 crore under the Balika Protsahan Puraskar Yojana (Girl Child Encouragement Award Scheme). Together, these two girl-centric schemes have channelled over ₹267 crore directly to female students across the state.
Under a separate uniform and school bag assistance programme, ₹800 per student is being transferred via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to students in Classes 1 to 8 and girls in Classes 9 to 12. According to Sharma, ₹482 crore has so far been disbursed to 66 lakh students through this mechanism. An additional ₹250 crore has been credited directly to the bank accounts of approximately 41.56 lakh students in Classes 1 to 8 for free uniforms.
Infrastructure and Learning Resources
Sharma highlighted that smart classrooms have been established in more than 4,000 schools across Rajasthan, while digital libraries have been developed in 500 PM SHRI schools. More than 41,000 science and mathematics kits have been distributed to over 20,000 schools.
During the last two academic sessions, students have received more than 8 crore textbooks, 14 lakh bicycles, and over 88,000 tablets — all free of cost. Additionally, 4.41 lakh students have been granted free admission under the Right to Education (RTE) Act during the same period.
What the CM Said on Girls' Education
Sharma stated that daughters are 'the strength of society and the nation,' and that education for girls acts as 'a powerful catalyst for social transformation.' He drew a direct link between Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' campaign and a measurable shift in social attitudes towards girls' empowerment nationwide. He also noted that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 includes specific provisions to dismantle structural barriers to girls' schooling.
Notably, at the same event, Sharma unveiled the poster for a knowledge examination based on the Ramayana, framing it as part of the government's broader effort to transmit cultural heritage to younger generations.
Welfare Measures for Inclusivity
The Chief Minister also pointed to hygiene infrastructure, noting that sanitary pad vending machines have been installed in more than 4,000 government schools. Under the PM POSHAN scheme, the Shri Krishna Bhog initiative allows donors, teachers and members of the public to sponsor meals for schoolchildren on special occasions. For students from disadvantaged communities and labourers' families, an on-demand examination facility has been introduced through the Rajasthan State Open School, aimed at keeping at-risk children connected to formal education.
With elections and policy cycles ahead, the Rajasthan government's scale of DBT-linked education spending signals a continued emphasis on direct, measurable welfare delivery as the benchmark for girls' empowerment programmes.
Point of View
But the critical question is whether cash transfers and material incentives are translating into sustained enrolment, retention and learning outcomes — metrics the state government did not address. The Gargi Award and Balika Protsahan schemes are well-established instruments, but their efficacy depends on whether girls are staying in school past Class 10, not merely receiving a one-time transfer. Rajasthan's gender gap in secondary completion has historically been among the widest in the country, making the absence of outcome data a significant gap in the government's narrative. A welfare story of this scale demands an accountability framework, not just a disbursement ledger.
NationPress
3 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gargi Puraskar Yojana in Rajasthan?
The Gargi Puraskar Yojana is a Rajasthan government scheme that provides financial awards to girls who perform well academically, with the aim of encouraging them to continue their education. According to CM Bhajanlal Sharma, ₹109 crore has been distributed to 3.63 lakh girls under this scheme.
How much has Rajasthan spent on girls' education schemes in total?
Rajasthan has disbursed ₹109 crore under the Gargi Award Scheme and ₹158 crore under the Balika Protsahan Puraskar Yojana, together amounting to over ₹267 crore directed specifically at girl students. An additional ₹482 crore has been transferred to 66 lakh students — including girls — for uniforms and school bags via DBT.
What is the Balika Protsahan Puraskar Yojana?
The Balika Protsahan Puraskar Yojana is a Rajasthan government scheme that provides financial incentives to girl students to promote their education and reduce dropout rates. More than 3 lakh girls have received ₹158 crore under this scheme, according to CM Sharma.
What other education infrastructure has the Rajasthan government built?
The state has established smart classrooms in over 4,000 schools, digital libraries in 500 PM SHRI schools, and installed sanitary pad vending machines in more than 4,000 government schools. Over 41,000 science and mathematics kits have been distributed to more than 20,000 schools.
Who is eligible for the ₹800 uniform assistance under Rajasthan's DBT scheme?
Students in Classes 1 to 8 and girls in Classes 9 to 12 are eligible for the ₹800 per-student uniform and school bag assistance, transferred directly to bank accounts via DBT. So far, ₹482 crore has been disbursed to 66 lakh students through this mechanism.
