National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education (NSIGSE)

About this scheme

The National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education (NSIGSE) is a centrally sponsored scheme launched in May 2008 by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. The scheme aims to promote enrolment of girl children in the 14–18 age group at the secondary stage and reduce dropout rates, particularly among Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). Under the scheme, a one-time incentive of ₹3,000 is deposited as a fixed deposit in the name of every eligible girl when she joins Class IX. The amount, along with accrued interest, can be withdrawn only after the girl attains 18 years of age and passes the Class X examination. The scheme covers SC/ST girls who pass Class VIII and enrol in Class IX in State/UT Government, Government-aided, or local body schools, as well as all girls (irrespective of caste) who pass Class VIII from Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs). Applications are processed through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).

Eligibility

• Gender: Must be a girl child
• Social category (general track): Must belong to Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) community who passed Class VIII
• KGBV track: Girl who passed Class VIII from a Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) — irrespective of caste
• Enrolment: Must enrol in Class IX in a State/UT Government, Government-aided, or local body school
• Age limit: Must be below 16 years of age as on 31st March of the year of joining Class IX
• Marital status: Must be unmarried at the time of application
• School type (exclusion): Must not be studying in a private unaided school or a Central Government school (KVS, NVS, CBSE-affiliated)

Benefits

• One-time incentive of ₹3,000 deposited as a fixed deposit in the name of the eligible girl child
• Interest accrued on the fixed deposit until maturity
• Withdrawal of the full amount + interest upon attaining 18 years of age and passing Class X examination
• No income ceiling — the scheme is targeted at disadvantaged SC/ST and KGBV students regardless of family income
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) through the National Scholarship Portal

Required documents

• Class VIII pass certificate
• Class IX enrolment proof / bonafide certificate
• Age proof / birth certificate
• Caste certificate (SC / ST)Not required for KGBV graduates
• KGBV pass certificate(optional)Required only for KGBV track applicants
• Unmarried declaration / self-certificate
• Aadhaar card
• Bank account details (in the girl's or guardian's name)
• Passport-size photograph

Frequently asked