The Gujarat government has disbursed over Rs 1,000 crore to more than 10.49 lakh girl students under the Namo Lakshmi Yojana. Under the Namo Saraswati Vigyan Sadhana Yojana, more than 1.50 lakh students have received financial assistance amounting to over Rs 161 crore, according to an official statement from the Gujarat Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel completed four years in office on September 13. During this period, he has consistently advanced Gujarat’s development journey initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
To realise the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 and ensure that students in Gujarat have access to high-quality, future-ready education in the Amrit Kaal, the Chief Minister launched two new schemes in March 2024 — Namo Lakshmi Yojana and Namo Saraswati Vigyan Sadhana Yojana.
According to the press release, recognising that no girl should have to discontinue her education due to financial hardship, Chief Minister Patel introduced the Namo Lakshmi Yojana to help daughters complete their secondary and higher secondary studies.
The scheme covers girls studying in Classes 9 to 12 in schools recognised by the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB) and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Notably, even those already receiving benefits under other government scholarship schemes remain eligible for this assistance.
Under the Namo Lakshmi Yojana, each girl student receives a total financial aid of Rs 50,000 spread across four years. Since its launch, more than 10.49 lakh girls have benefitted, with disbursements exceeding Rs 1,000 crore. To ensure transparent and efficient management, a dedicated Namo Lakshmi Portal has also been launched.
To encourage students to pursue science in Classes 11 and 12, the Gujarat government, under Patel’s leadership, has implemented the Namo Saraswati Vigyan Sadhana Yojana.
The scheme is open to students who score 50 per cent or more in Class 10 and pursue science in recognised government, grant-in-aid, or self-financed higher secondary schools. Eligible students in the science stream of Classes 11 and 12 receive financial assistance of Rs 25,000 over two years.
Since its launch, more than 1.5 lakh students have benefitted, with disbursements crossing Rs 161 crore. For smooth execution, a dedicated Namo Saraswati Portal has also been introduced. The scheme plays a vital role in motivating students to take up science, opening pathways to quality education and future opportunities in science and technology, the release added.
(ANI)
