National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education

National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education (NSIGSE) was a central scheme launched by the Government of India in May 2008 to keep girls in the 14-18 age group in school after class 8th. Under this scheme, eligible girls got a fixed deposit of ₹3000 in their name when they enrolled in class 9th, and the amount along with interest was available to them when they turned 18.

Scheme has been closed by the government. NSIGSE was discontinued with effect from the year 2018-19 due to issues in its design and implementation, as confirmed by the Ministry of Education in Parliament. New applications are not being accepted in 2026. What the scheme offered and what happened to existing beneficiaries is explained below.

National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education

The scheme was started to reduce dropout of girls from SC and ST communities at the secondary level and to help them continue studies up to class 12th. Girls who passed class 8th and took admission in class 9th in a government, government-aided or local body school got a fixed deposit of ₹3000 in a public sector bank or post office in their name.

The money stayed locked until the girl turned 18 years old. It could not be withdrawn early. At 18, the girl received the ₹3000 plus the interest that had accumulated over the years, and this amount was meant to be used for her higher education.

The Ministry of Education confirmed in a Rajya Sabha answer on 30 March 2022 that the scheme was discontinued from the year 2018-19 on the recommendation of the Expenditure Finance Committee in 2017. Budget in the following years was used only to clear backlog and court-related payments. Support for girl child education now continues through other central schemes like Samagra Shiksha, which covers KGBV upgradation, uniforms, textbooks, transport and stipends for girls with special needs.

Girls who were already enrolled under NSIGSE before it closed can still check their fixed deposit and maturity payment status through the PFMS portal. State education departments have also asked schools to send data of old beneficiaries so that maturity payments can be completed.

Key Information

Benefits

When a girl qualified under this scheme, a sum of ₹3000 was deposited into a term or fixed deposit account in her name at a public sector bank or post office. This deposit earned interest until she turned 18, at which point the maturity amount became available. Premature withdrawal was not allowed, so the funds stayed secured for her future education.

Eligibility

Eligibility under this scheme was checked on these points:

1. Applicant had to be a girl child in the 14-18 age group.
2. She had to belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) category, or pass class 8th from a Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya.
3. She had to enroll in class 9th at a State/UT Government, government-aided or local body school during or after the 2008-09 academic year.

Who Was Not Covered

There were a few situations where the scheme did not apply:

1. Married girls were not eligible for this incentive.
2. Girls in private unaided schools were not covered, since these schools charge higher fees.
3. Girls in schools run by the Central Government were not covered, as these institutions already provide support to students.

Documents

Documents asked at the time of application included:

1. Aadhaar card copy.
2. Valid domicile certificate.
3. Income certificate issued by the state or UT authority.
4. Class 10th mark sheet.
5. Certificate from the school principal confirming two-year continuation after enrolling in class 9th.
6. Fee receipts of the current academic year.
7. Bank account details (personal account in the girl's name or joint account with a parent).
8. Disability certificate, if applicable.

Scheme Status in 2026

As of August 2026, NSIGSE is closed for new admissions and new applications. The government has not restarted this scheme under the same name. Girl child education support is now provided mainly through Samagra Shiksha, along with schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao. Families looking for a long-term savings option for a girl child can also check Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, and students from backward classes can look at the Pre-Matric Scholarship for Backward Class Students.

Students who were already beneficiaries can track their payment through the PFMS portal using Aadhaar number, bank account number or Application ID.

References

Department of School Education and Literacy - NSIGSE page | Ministry of Education - NSIGSE | Parliamentary answer on NSIGSE discontinuation | Times of India report on scheme closure

FAQ's

Q. Is the National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education still active?

Ans: No. The scheme has been closed by the government and was discontinued with effect from 2018-19. New applications are not accepted in 2026.

Q. How much did beneficiaries receive under this scheme?

Ans: Eligible girls received a fixed deposit of ₹3000 plus the accrued interest at maturity, that is, when they turned 18.

Q. Can married girls apply?

Ans: Married girls were not eligible under this scheme. Also, the scheme is closed for new applications now.

Q. Can I still apply online for NSIGSE?

Ans: No. The registration and fresh application links for this scheme on the National Scholarship Portal are no longer available. If you were an old beneficiary, check your payment status on the PFMS portal.

Q. Are students of CBSE or private schools eligible?

Ans: No. Students in Central Government or private unaided schools did not qualify under this scheme.

Q. Is the scholarship amount transferable if a student passes away before 18?

Ans: No. The amount was not transferable to parents or guardians. If the beneficiary passed away, the fund was returned to the Central Government.

Q. Which schemes have replaced NSIGSE?

Ans: Girl child education support now runs mainly through Samagra Shiksha, which covers KGBVs, uniforms, textbooks, transport and stipends. Schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana also support girls.