Vahli Dikri Yojana: support for daughters in Gujarat

How the Vahli Dikri Yojana money is paid

The scheme aims to raise the birth ratio of girls, keep daughters in school and stop child marriage. That is why the first two payments are tied to school admission and the last one comes only at 18.

Which daughters qualify

The official listing says all daughters among the couple's first three children are eligible. A daughter born as the fourth child is not covered. The girl must be born on or after the start date notified by the state, and the mother must have been at least 18 at the time of the birth.

The parents must live in Gujarat. The combined yearly income of husband and wife must not exceed 2 lakh rupees, and the same limit applies in villages and in cities. Some older district pages and private websites mention only the first two daughters, or different stage amounts. Those are out of date; the state WCD page is the reference.

Vahli Dikri Yojana documents list

The form is filled once, at the start, and must carry these papers. The exact list is printed on the form, so read it before you go:

• Birth certificate of the daughter.
• Aadhaar of the daughter, if issued, and of both parents.
• Birth certificates of the couple's other children, to show birth order.
• Income certificate of the family, from the mamlatdar or the competent authority.
• Ration card and proof of residence in Gujarat.
• Bank passbook of the account where money will be paid.
• Self declaration or affidavit as per the format attached to the form.

Getting the Vahli Dikri Yojana form filed

The application form is listed on the Women and Child Development portal under its application forms section. Printed copies are also kept at anganwadi centres, the office of the Child Development Project Officer and the gram panchayat.

Vahli Dikri Yojana online apply

Many families submit through the Digital Gujarat service run at gram panchayat and taluka level, where the operator types the form and uploads the papers. Ask the operator for a printed receipt with the application number. Any middleman promising quicker sanction for a fee is not part of the process.

If the panchayat says the online service is not available, the paper form at the anganwadi centre or the CDPO office is still valid. What matters is that it is filed within the one year window.

Claiming the later instalments

Approval at birth only registers the daughter. Money is paid later, stage by stage. When she joins Class 1, take the school's admission certificate to the office where you applied. Do the same at Class 9. At 18, the claim for 1 lakh rupees needs proof of age and, for marriage, proof that she married at or after 18; for studies, proof of admission.

If the family moves to another district, inform the CDPO office so that the file moves with you. Keep the bank account active, because a closed account delays payment.

How it compares with other girl child schemes

Vahli Dikri is a cash gift paid in stages. It is not a savings account. For a family that wants its own savings for a daughter too, there is the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, which earns 8.2% at the current rate. Similar state schemes include Maharashtra's Lek Ladki Yojana and Rajasthan's Rajshri Yojana. Gujarat's own Namo Laxmi Yojana supports girls in Classes 9 to 12.

Common reasons for rejection

• Form filed more than one year after the birth.
• Daughter is the fourth child or later.
• Income certificate shows more than 2 lakh rupees.
• Mother's age at delivery was under 18.
• Name spelled differently on the birth certificate and Aadhaar.

If the file is turned down, the CDPO office can give the ground for refusal on paper, which you need for any appeal.