Indian

Economic
Policy
Assistant Professor Shweta Verma
Important Policies for Indian Economy
● Fiscal Policy
● Monetary Policy
● Socio Economic Policy
● Indian Agricultural Policy
● National agricultural Policy
● Industrial Policy
● Trade Policy
● Exchange Rate management Policy
● EXIM Policy
 Chapter 1:

Gender & Women’s Empowerment

Policies
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
1. Gender & Women Empowerment
Gender and women's empowerment are closely
linked, focusing on achieving equality and
enabling women to make their own life choices
and participate fully in society. It involves
challenging social norms that perpetuate
inequality and ensuring women have access to
education, healthcare, economic opportunities,
and political participation.
 Sustainable Development Goals
● The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by
all United Nations (UN) members in 2015, created 17 world
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

● The aim of these global goals is "peace and prosperity for

people and the planet"
 1.1 Gender Equality and SDG
● Key Aspects of SDG 5:
1. Eliminating Violence and Discrimination: SDG 5 aims to end all forms of violence
and discrimination against women and girls, including harmful practices like child
marriage and female genital mutilation.
2. Equal Rights and Opportunities: It focuses on ensuring women and girls have equal
rights and opportunities in all areas, including economic participation, access to
resources, and political representation.
3. Valuing Unpaid Care Work: SDG 5 also recognizes the importance of unpaid care
and domestic work, often disproportionately performed by women, and calls for
policies to support and value this work.
4. Universal Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health: It emphasizes the need for
universal access to sexual and reproductive health services, including reproductive
rights.
5. Empowering Women Through Technology: SDG 5 encourages the use of
technology, particularly information and communication technology, to promote
women's empowerment.
Need of SDG 5
Fundamental Human Right: and denying it hinders the well-being and potential of half the world's
population.
Economic Growth: When women have equal access to education, healthcare, and economic
opportunities, they can contribute more fully to society, boosting overall economic prosperity.
Social Progress: Gender equality is linked to improved health and education outcomes for both women
and girls, as well as reduced poverty and inequality. It fosters a more just and equitable society where
everyone can thrive.
Environmental Sustainability: Women are often the primary users and managers of natural resources,
and their active participation in decision-making processes is essential for effective environmental
management and conservation.
Ending Harmful Practices: SDG 5 addresses harmful practices like child marriage and female genital
mutilation, which disproportionately affect women and girls, hindering their development and well-being.
Representation and Leadership: Ensuring women's full and equal participation in leadership and decision-
making at all levels is vital for creating inclusive and representative governance and achieving
sustainable development.
Gender Equality and Constitution of India
Gender Equality and Constitution of India
2. Background of BETI BACHAO BETI PADHAO
The child sex ratio refers to the number of females per 1000 males in the age
group of 0-6 years.
In India, the child sex ratio has been a cause for concern due to its declining
trend, indicating a preference for sons over daughters. The 2011 Census
recorded a child sex ratio of 918 females per 1000 males
BETI BACHAO
BETI PADHAO
(BBBP) SCHEME
Governing Bodies – MoWCD
(Ministry of Women and Child Development)
 R&R: MoHRD – Ministry of Human Resource Development
● Ensure regular meetings of the CSB - Central Supervisory Board
● Organise two national-level meetings per year to review implementation of
the Pre-conception & Prenatal Diagnostic Technique (PC & PNDT) Act
● Organise five regional review meetings per year to gauge progress
● Set up bi-monthly visits for the National Inspection and Monitoring
Committee, i.e., 24 visits in a year
● Schedule orientation programmes for relevant state authorities and state
nodal officers on new amendments to the PC & PNDT rules
● Hold capacity building workshops for relevant state authorities, state nodal
officers and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC)
members
 Roles and Responsibilities– MoHRD
● Activate school management committees (SMCs) to ensure universal
enrolment, retention, and completion of secondary education of girls
● Generate community discussions to encourage participation of girls through
Balika Manch
● Construct functional toilets for girls
● Complete the Kasturba Gandhi Bal Vidyalayas project
● Roll out campaign to re-enrol girls who discontinued education at secondary
levels
● Build girls’ hostels for secondary and senior secondary schools
● Sensitise teachers on child sex ratio through Samagra Shiksha
● Institutionalise the standard guidelines and protocols for girl child friendly
schools including residential schools and ensure effective implementation
● Introduce district-level awards for felicitating girl achievers and special
financial incentives for meritorious girls
 Scheme Details
● The scheme is divided into three components –
(1) Advocacy campaigns were launched to address the issue of
declining CSR and SBR;
(2) multi-sectoral interventions were planned and are being
implemented in gender-critical districts across the country; and
(3) a financial incentive-linked scheme—Sukanya Samriddhi
scheme—was launched to encourage parents to build a fund for
female children.
Advocacy and Media Campaign
● National awareness campaigns form the foundation of the BBBP
scheme. It involves a multifaceted media approach to educate
parents and destigmatise the birth of female children.
● The advocacy campaigns focus on disseminating information
regarding the declining CSR and SRB ratios to ensure that girls are
born, nurtured, and educated without discrimination.
● The goal is to develop a culture of raising empowered women in
the country.
Intervention in gender-critical districts
● Programmes and interventions designed to incentivise improvements in the CSR
and SRB ratios are being implemented in the shortlisted gender-critical districts.
● The scheme outlines measurable outcomes and indicators to monitor progress in
these 640 districts. The performance targets are as follows:
● Improve SRB in select gender-critical districts by 2 points per year
● Reduce gender differentials in the under-five child mortality rate metric by 1.5
points per year
● Provide functional toilets for girls in every school in select districts
● Increase first trimester antenatal care registration by 1% per year
● Improve nutritional status by reducing the number of underweight and anaemic
girls (under five years of age)
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Scheme
(SSY)
● SSY is a small deposit-saving scheme targeted at parents of girl children. The scheme
provides parents with income tax rebate benefits and an attractive interest rate of 7.6% on the
deposits.
● It offers parents the option to open a savings account per girl child (under the age of 10 years)
and allows parents to make deposits in the account for a period of 15 years.
● The girls can commence account operations at the age of 10 years and have the option of
making withdrawals at the age of 18.
● The goal of this scheme is to challenge the burden mindset of parents and offer financial
security to female children.
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme Benefits
Key beneficiaries under the BBBP initiative are as follows
Categories Description

Primary Segment ● Young and newly married couples; pregnant and lactating
mothers; and parents

Secondary Segment ● Youth, adolescents (girls and boys), in-laws, medical

doctors/ practitioners, private hospitals, nursing homes and
diagnostic centres

Tertiary Segment ● Officials, PRIs, frontline workers, women SHGs/collectives,

religious leaders, voluntary organisations, media, medical
associations, industry associations and the people at large
Progress
● Budget Allocation & Highlights
● To date, the government has allocated Rs. 740 crore (US$ 92 million)
for the BBBP scheme.
● The budget spends on awareness media campaigns were recorded at
Rs. 401 crore (US$ 50 million), i.e., 54.2% of this amount.
● As per data released by the government, the annual breakdown of fund
utilisation is shown in next slide
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)
● The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) is a government-
backed savings scheme in India designed to promote the
welfare of girl children.
● It encourages parents to save for their daughter's future
education and marriage expenses.

● The scheme offers a relatively high interest rate, tax benefits,

and flexible deposit options, making it an attractive
investment for parents.
Key Features of the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana:
● Purpose: To encourage parents to save for their girl child's future needs.
● Eligibility: A girl child up to the age of 10 years can have an account opened in her name by a natural
or legal guardian.
● Account Opening: Accounts can be opened at post offices and authorized banks.
● Deposit Limits: Minimum deposit is ₹250 per year, and a maximum of ₹1.5 lakh can be deposited in a
financial year, according to the National Savings Institute.
● Tenure: The account matures after 21 years from the date of opening or upon the girl child's
marriage after the age of 18.
● Withdrawals: Partial withdrawals (up to 50% of the balance) are permitted after the girl child turns
18, for higher education or marriage purposes.
● Tax Benefits: Deposits qualify for tax deductions under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, and the
interest earned is also tax-free.
● Flexibility: The scheme allows for deposits to be made for 14 years, with maturity at 21 years, and
provides options for premature closure under specific circumstances.
● Transferability: The account can be transferred to any post office or bank branch across India.
● Revival: An account can be revived with a penalty if deposits are irregular.
Benefits of the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana:
● Financial Security for Girls:
The scheme provides a dedicated source of funds for the girl child's future,
promoting her financial independence.
● High Interest Rates:
SSY offers a higher interest rate compared to other savings schemes, ensuring
better returns on investments.
● Tax Advantages:
The tax benefits under Section 80C and the tax-free interest income make it a
financially attractive option.
● Long-Term Savings:
The 21-year tenure allows for significant wealth accumulation, helping parents
meet the girl child's future needs.
● Supports Girl Child Education:
The scheme specifically aims to support higher education expenses, promoting
the girl child's educational empowerment.
Key developments:
In the North Gujarat Region, the Department of Posts has established 487 villages as complete
Sukanya Samriddhi Grams, alongside the opening of 4,50,000 Sukanya Samriddhi accounts for
daughters in post offices.
The National SRB Index has shown an upward trend from 918 (2014-15) to 937 (2019-20), an
improvement of 16 points in five years.
422 districts out of the 640 districts covered under BBBP have shown improvement in SRB from
2014-15 to 2018-19.
The National Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of girls in secondary schools improved from 73.5 (2013-14)
to 79.4 (2021-22).
Proportion of schools with separate, functional toilets for girls rose from 92.1% in 2014-15 to 97.4% in
2022-23.
1st trimester ANC registration rate increased from 61% in 2014-15 to 71% in 2019-20.
Institutional deliveries rate soared from 87% in 2014-15 to 95% in 2021-22.
Under this scheme, several initiatives have been undertaken by districts to build consciousness among
target groups and other stakeholders.
Initiatives Description
Digital Guddi-Gudda Board A digital platform for exhibiting gender
disparity in birth rates and providing
information on schemes and programmes
created for safeguarding the girl child

Udaan - Sapne Di Duniya De Rubaru Initiative offering girls an opportunity to

shadow professionals in fields of their choice

My Aim My Target Campaign Recognition programme to felicitate top

academic performances by girls in higher
secondary schools
Lakshya Se Rubaru Internship programme for female students in
colleges – for encouraging them to make
informed decisions about their careers

Noor Jeevan Ka Betiyan A week-long campaign celebrated with

gender empowerment theme-based
interactive activities organised in
Panchayats, schools, and colleges
Bitiya and Birba Awareness campaign on the BBBP initiative, along with
environmental protection. Under this, each mother of a
newly born girl child is celebrated and gifted a plant

Aao School Chalein Enrolment campaign involving door-to-door visits and

registrations to ensure 100% enrolment of girls in
schools

Collector Ki Class Initiative offering free coaching classes and career

counselling for underprivileged girls in public schools
and colleges

Bal Cabinet Youth leadership programme where girl students

simulate government cabinets and ministerial roles to
discuss and resolve issues

Introduction of Pink Cards The District Administration has established a

dedicated Pink Cabin at the Suvidha Kendra
(Facilitation Centre), offering exclusive services to Pink
Card holders including Birth Registration, Marriage
Registration, and Driving License facilitation