Marriage Scheme: The central and state governments have various programs aimed at assisting the poor. In Uttar Pradesh, for instance, the “Shaadi Anudan Yojana” is designed to support the marriages of daughters from low-income families. This initiative offers financial aid of Rs 20,000 to help alleviate the wedding costs for underprivileged parents. This support is specifically available to Other Backward Class (OBC) families, while minority OBC families are excluded from this program.
As per the Marriage Grant Scheme, eligible applicants can submit their applications online either 90 days prior to or 90 days following the wedding. To qualify for this assistance, the daughter must be at least 18 years old, and the groom must be at least 21 years old. Additionally, the annual income for both rural and urban households should not exceed ₹100,000. Those receiving old-age, disability, or widow pensions are exempt from providing income certificates and only need to input their registration number.
How to apply?
The application process is conducted online. Parents can apply for this scheme at shadianudan.upsdc.gov.in, either 90 days before or 90 days after the wedding. The government aims to support economically disadvantaged families to ensure they do not encounter challenges when marrying off their daughters. The financial aid is directly deposited into the beneficiary’s bank account.
To qualify for this scheme, having a bank account with a nationalized bank is essential. Accounts from district cooperative banks are not accepted. Required documents for the application include an identity card, Aadhaar card, bank passbook, marriage card, proof of the daughter’s age, and a photograph of the applicant. Applications are submitted through the online portal.
Proposal to increase to Rs 51,000
Currently, the Marriage Grant Scheme offers financial support of Rs 20,000. The Social Welfare Department is working on expanding the scheme’s reach. The initiative aims to extend benefits to daughters from families with an annual income of Rs 300,000. Additionally, the grant amount is set to be increased from Rs 20,000 to Rs 51,000. The department has prepared a proposal for this.