Ladakh administration has revised the State Marriage Assistance Scheme with enhanced financial support for eligible families. The updated scheme, effective from January 1, 2024, replaces the earlier provision of gold and cash with direct benefit transfer payments.
Under the amended guidelines, female beneficiaries from Antodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) or Priority Household (PHH) ration cardholder families receive a one-time grant of ₹50,000. Divyangjan beneficiaries with benchmark disabilities get ₹1 lakh. The amount goes directly to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts through DBT.
State Marriage Assistance Scheme – Overview
The scheme runs under the Department of Social and Tribal Welfare, UT Ladakh. It supports eligible brides and divyangjan individuals by reducing the financial burden of marriage expenses. The revised rules simplified the benefit structure and made the process clearer for applicants.
For example, if a bride belongs to an AAY family and meets all criteria, she receives the financial support to help start married life. Divyangjan applicants get higher assistance to support their independence.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | State Marriage Assistance Scheme |
| Launched By | Department of Social and Tribal Welfare, UT Ladakh |
| Beneficiaries | Eligible brides and divyangjan individuals |
| Benefit Amount | ₹50,000 for female beneficiaries, ₹1 lakh for divyangjan |
| Application Mode | Offline |
| Official Website | ladakh.gov.in |
Benefits
The scheme provides one-time financial assistance based on beneficiary category:
| Beneficiary Category | Financial Assistance |
|---|---|
| Eligible Female Beneficiaries (AAY/PHH) | ₹50,000 |
| Divyangjan Beneficiaries | ₹1,00,000 |
The earlier provision of 5 grams of gold plus ₹25,000 has been replaced with the direct cash transfer. The payment is credited to the Aadhaar-linked savings bank account of the beneficiary through DBT.
Eligibility
To qualify for the scheme, applicants must meet these conditions:
- Belong to an AAY or PHH ration cardholder family
- Both bride and groom must be permanent residents of Ladakh
- Bride must be at least 18 years old
- Groom must be at least 21 years old
- First marriage for both bride and groom
- Divyangjan applicants must have benchmark disabilities as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016
Application Process
The application is submitted offline through the District Social Welfare Office.
STEP 1 – Visit the District Social Welfare Office during working hours to collect the application form. You can also download the prescribed application format and take a printout.
STEP 2 – Fill in all required details, attach a recent passport-sized photograph, and include self-attested copies of all necessary documents.
STEP 3 – Submit the completed application with documents to the District Social Welfare Officer, Tehsil Social Welfare Officer, or the designated Social Worker at Leh or Kargil.
STEP 4 – Collect a signed receipt or acknowledgment from the official confirming your submission. This helps track the application status later.
Documents Required
Keep these documents ready for the application:
- Two passport-size photographs each of the bride and groom
- Aadhaar Card for both bride and groom
- Birth certificates for age verification of both partners
- Valid AAY or PHH ration card referencing the applicant or her father/husband (issued by SDM or Tehsildar)
- Resident certificate issued by SDM or Tehsildar
- Death certificate of ex-husband, if the applicant is a widow
- Divorce decree, if applicable
- Affidavit confirming the applicant has not been married before
- Copy of UDID card or disability certificate for divyangjan applicants
References
More information is available here:
FAQ’s
What is State Marriage Assistance Scheme?
State Marriage Assistance Scheme is a financial aid program that provides a one-time grant to eligible female beneficiaries and divyangjan individuals in Ladakh to support their marriage expenses.
Who is eligible for this scheme?
Female beneficiaries from AAY or PHH ration cardholder families and divyangjan individuals with benchmark disabilities as per the 2016 Act are eligible to apply.
What amount will I receive?
Eligible female beneficiaries receive ₹50,000, while divyangjan beneficiaries receive ₹1,00,000.
What are the age requirements?
The bride must be at least 18 years old, and the groom must be at least 21 years old.
Do I need to be a resident of Ladakh?
Yes, both the bride and the groom must be permanent residents of Ladakh to qualify.
How will I receive the money?
The financial assistance is sent via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) directly into your Aadhaar-linked savings bank account.
Where do I submit my application?
You should submit your application form to the District Social Welfare Officer, Tehsil Social Welfare Officer, or the designated Social Worker at Leh or Kargil.
When did these changes come into effect?
The revised eligibility guidelines became effective on January 1, 2024.