The Mahila Samridhi Yojana — a key election promise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Delhi — is moving forward, with the Delhi Cabinet approving a monthly assistance of ₹2,500 for the eldest woman in Antyodaya or Below Poverty Line (BPL) households.
According to an official note accessed by News18, the scheme will cover women aged 21 to 60 who belong to BPL or Antyodaya households in Delhi and hold a valid ration card issued by the Delhi Department of Food Supplies. The benefit will be limited to one eligible woman per household, specifically the eldest. Additionally, all children in the applicant’s household must have completed their vaccinations or be actively following a vaccination schedule.
A senior Delhi government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the Cabinet is in the process of finalizing the scheme, with an official announcement expected in May.
Last week, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena granted approval for the scheme, allowing the government to issue executive orders and implement the Cabinet’s decision, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.
Originally approved by the Cabinet on March 8, the Mahila Samridhi Yojana aims to support the economic empowerment of underprivileged women in the capital.
Mahila Samridhi Yojana to Benefit 17 Lakh Women in Delhi, ₹5,100 Crore Allocated
The Delhi government is moving ahead with the implementation of the Mahila Samridhi Yojana, a key BJP election promise, aimed at providing monthly financial assistance to the eldest eligible woman in Below Poverty Line (BPL) or Antyodaya households. The scheme, approved by the Delhi Cabinet on March 8, offers ₹2,500 per month to women aged 21 to 60 who hold valid yellow ration cards issued by the Delhi Department of Food Supplies.
To oversee the formulation of detailed guidelines and implementation, a committee has been formed under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, along with cabinet ministers Pravesh Sahib Singh, Ashish Sood, and Kapil Mishra.
According to an official note reviewed by News18, the scheme is expected to benefit nearly 17 lakh women in Delhi, with a total allocation of ₹5,100 crore. While an official public announcement is still pending, the note outlines that the ₹2,500 monthly assistance will be split into two parts: one portion will be credited directly to the beneficiary’s Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) wallet, while the other will be deposited into a recurring deposit (RD) account in her name. This structure, officials say, is designed to ensure immediate support as well as long-term savings. The final ratio between direct transfer and savings deposit is yet to be determined.
Additionally, the Cabinet has mandated that all children in the applicant’s household must be fully vaccinated or currently undergoing a vaccination schedule. A dedicated online portal for beneficiary registration is also under development to facilitate a smooth rollout.
Last week, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena gave formal approval to the scheme, allowing the government to take executive action based on the Cabinet’s decision.
In an earlier statement to News18, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta confirmed that only yellow ration card holders — classified as BPL — will be eligible for the scheme. This clarification comes amid ongoing efforts to finalize definitions of “poor families,” as promised in the BJP manifesto, which had committed ₹2,500 monthly financial support to women from economically weaker backgrounds.
The Mahila Samridhi Yojana follows an earlier, similar initiative announced by former AAP Chief Minister Atishi in December 2024. That plan proposed ₹1,000 per month for all women in Delhi, excluding taxpayers, government employees, and existing aid recipients. However, the AAP scheme was never implemented.
The BJP had pledged during its election campaign that the Mahila Samridhi Yojana would be among the first items approved in its initial Cabinet meeting — a promise now being fulfilled.
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