National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education scheme(NSIGSE)

National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education scheme(NSIGSE)

What is NSIGSE?

NSIGSE stands for National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education scheme that was initiated by the Government of India in May 2008. It is a centrally sponsored scheme that aims to enhance the enrolment rates of female children of the age group 14 to 18 years to secondary schools. The concerned authorities plan out several methods to familiarize people with the benefits of the scheme and take all possible measures to offer wide publicity of the scheme to the target groups.

Key Features & Benefits

Here are the highlight features of NSIGSE:

• Eligible girls receive an incentive of ₹3,000 (Indian Rupees) deposited in their name (fixed/term deposit) on enrolment in Class IX.
• The amount becomes withdrawable after the girl attains age 18 and passes Class X (secondary level examination).
• The scheme covers:
  • All girls belonging to SC/ST communities who pass Class VIII and enrol in Class IX in Government/Govt-aided/Local Body schools.
  • All girls who pass Class VIII from a Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) (regardless of SC/ST status) and then enrol in Class IX in Government/Govt-aided/Local Body schools.
• The girl beneficiary must be unmarried at the time of enrolment in Class IX.
• She must be below 16 years of age as on 31 March of the year in which she joins Class IX.
• The scheme was implemented via online submission through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to bank accounts.
• 100% funding of the scheme was borne by the Central Government.

Who is Eligible?

Summarising eligibility criteria:

1. Gender & class: Girl student who has passed Class VIII and is enrolling in Class IX in a recognised government/Govt-aided/local-body school.
2. Community/status: Either
   • belongs to SC/ST community, or
   • has passed Class VIII from a KGBV (even if not SC/ST).
     Age: Below 16 years as on 31 March of the year of enrolment in Class IX.
3. Marital status: Must be unmarried at the time of joining Class IX.
4. School type: School must be a State/UT Government school, Government-aided or Local Body school. Private unaided schools and central government schools (like KVS/NVS) are typically excluded. (

How & When to Apply

• Step 1: Visit the official website of the NSIGSE Scheme.

  Step 2: Register if you are a new user. Scroll down the page and read through the instructions. Click on ‘continue’ at the bottom of the page.

  Step 3: Enter all the required details. A newly generated unique application id and password will be displayed on your screen. Your registered mobile number will also receive an OTP through SMS notification.

  Step 4: Enter the received OTP and confirm your details.

  Step 5: Fill the application form with your personal or scheme-related details. Fill in the details accurately.

  Step 6: Verify all the details before submitting the application. Your application process is now complete. Keep a copy of the final application form for future references.

  Any details that are entered incorrectly may lead to complications in the future while you avail of the NSIGSE Scheme benefits

Current Status & Important Updates

• According to a media report, the scheme was discontinued w.e.f. 2018-19 on the recommendation of the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) in 2017, with the intent of redesigning the scheme.
• The official website still lists NSIGSE under “Secondary Education” incentives, but implementation has become unclear in many states. (
• Several state-level reports indicate issues with actual disbursal and uptake. For example: “5 years on, no beneficiary from State” (Maharashtra) for that period.

Key Takeaways & What to Watch

• The NSIGSE was a promising scheme aimed at reducing girls’ drop-out at the secondary level, especially for SC/ST and disadvantaged backgrounds.
• The fixed deposit model (₹3,000 deposited, withdrawable later) created an incentive to stay in school up to Class X and age 18.
• However, actual implementation was inconsistent across states, and the scheme has been marked for restructuring/discontinuation — which means potential applicants must check the latest state-wise status before relying on it.
• For students/parents: If a girl meets the criteria and the scheme is active in the state in that year, it’s a good benefit — but because of the uncertainty, one must verify whether the scheme is open/opened that year, and whether the deposit is still being made.
• For schools/educational administrators: It’s important to check with the state nodal office for NSIGSE (or the equivalent scheme) regarding availability, timelines, mobilisation of eligible girls, and ensuring documentation is ready.

Documents Required

Every scheme implementing school must determine eligible female students before preparing the proposal at the commencement of every academic year. Within three consecutive months from the commencement, the respective state government or union territory administrator shall submit the consolidated proposal to the MHRD.

Below is a list of documents to be furnished by the eligible female candidates at the time of application for the NSIGSE Scheme.

• Domicile certificate of the applicant

• Income certificate of the parents or the legal guardian issued by the respective state government or UT administration authorities

• Class 10 scorecard of the applicant

• A certificate from the school head or the principal mentioning two year continuation after her enrolment to class 9

• Fees receipts of current class

• Scanned copy of the applicant’s Aadhaar card

• Bank account proof of the applicant’s existing account or joint account with any one of her parents

• How to Check Account Balance?

  Eligible candidates under the NSIGSE Scheme can easily check their account balances. The implementing agency shall open an account in the beneficiary’s name in any of the nearest nationalized banks or post offices. The released incentive sum is deposited in the same account as a fixed-term deposit.

  The beneficiary girl child is given a passbook or certificate that acts as proof of her identity as a beneficiary of the NSIGSE Scheme. She can get her passbook entered anytime when she wants to know the account balance. Internet banking options also facilitate the beneficiaries to check their accrued balance under the scheme without visiting the bank or post office.

  • 1. Interest rates

       The interest rates of fixed-term deposits vary from 3% to 7% per annum based on the bank or post office in which the interest-bearing account is opened in the name of the beneficiary female student. To avail maximum benefit of the NSIGSE Scheme’s accrued interest, the candidates are not allowed to withdraw money until 18 years of age.

    2. Implementing Partners of NSIGSE Scheme

       The implementing partners of the scheme are:

       • State or Union territory government authorities

    3. • Schools functioning under state governments or local bodies

       • Aided private schools and institutions associated with Panchayat Raj

       Central government releases the amount to the respective state or Union territory governments to provide incentives to the eligible candidates. The same shall be forwarded to the respective implementing agencies depositing the sum in the interest-bearing accounts of the beneficiaries under NSIGSE Scheme.

    4. Term of the Deposit

       The term or period of receiving the incentive INR 3,000 is deposited in the interest-bearing account of the beneficiary. The interest is calculated from the date depositing the principal amount until the beneficiary female student attains 18 years of age. The NSIGSE Scheme does not allow premature withdrawal.