The Rani Laxmi Bai Scooty Yojana, launched by the Uttar Pradesh government, aims to provide free scooters to meritorious girl students to support higher education. With a ₹400 crore budget, the scheme targets rural girls facing transport challenges, reducing dropout rates and promoting women’s empowerment. Eligibility criteria and application processes Await official guidelines.
Uttar Pradesh Boosts Girls’ Education with Free Scooty Scheme
Scheme Overview
The Uttar Pradesh government, under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, introduced the Rani Laxmi Bai Scooty Yojana in the 2025-26 budget, announced on February 20, 2025, by Finance Minister Suresh Khanna. The initiative allocates ₹400 crore to provide free scooters to meritorious girl students pursuing higher education, particularly targeting those in rural areas.
Objective of the Initiative
The scheme aims to address transportation barriers that lead to high dropout rates among girls after Class 12, especially in rural regions where colleges are often far from homes. By providing free scooters, the government seeks to encourage girls to continue their education and foster self-reliance.
Eligibility Criteria
While official guidelines are yet to be released, tentative eligibility includes:
Permanent residency in Uttar Pradesh.
Minimum 75% marks in Class 12 board exams.
Enrollment in a recognized college or institution.
Preference for rural and economically weaker sections with a family income below ₹2.5 lakh annually.
No prior benefits from similar government scooty schemes.
Application Process
The application process is expected to be primarily online, hosted on the official Uttar Pradesh government website or the Higher Education Department’s portal. Applicants will likely need to submit:
Aadhaar card.
Class 12 mark sheet.
Income certificate.
Proof of college enrollment.
Passport-size photographs.
Dedicated distribution centers will be established in each district for transparent and secure scooty distribution.
Implementation and Committees
The Higher Education Department is the nodal agency for the scheme. A six-member committee, chaired by Shipu Giri, Director of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), has been formed to finalize eligibility and selection processes. A separate four-member technical committee, led by Girijesh Kumar Tyagi, will determine scooty specifications.
Impact on Female Education
Government data highlights a rise in female enrollment in higher education, with 28,75,211 girls enrolled in the 2024-25 academic session compared to 24,53,758 boys. Experts predict the scooty scheme will further boost these numbers by easing access to colleges, particularly for rural girls.
Budget and Scale
The ₹400 crore budget underscores the scheme’s ambition to reach a large number of eligible students. The initiative is part of broader efforts to empower women, alongside other schemes like the Kanya Sumangala Yojana and Chevening Uttar Pradesh Govt Scholarship programme.
Challenges and Public Response
While the scheme has garnered significant interest, with many students expressing need due to long commutes and safety concerns, the lack of official guidelines has caused uncertainty. Social media posts reflect urgent demands from students facing transport issues, highlighting the scheme’s relevance.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information from credible news sources, including The Times of India, Hindustan Times, and government scheme websites, as of September 2, 2025. Details may change upon the release of official guidelines by the Uttar Pradesh Higher Education Department.