Subhadra Yojana is a flagship initiative of the Government of Odisha. The objective of this initiative is to work for the empowerment of women. This initiative is named after Devi Subhadra who was the sister of Lord Jagannath. The scheme has important cultural and social importance for the state. This initiative focuses on strengthening the financial independence of women from economically weaker sections. With this scheme women get direct benefit transfers (DBT) and promotion of digital literacy.
The scheme was launched in the year September 2024. It is set to benefit more than 1 crore women by providing a reliable financial safety net. The scheme ensures transparency and accessibility by directly transferring funds into their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. Also, it empowers women to make independent decisions for the welfare of their family.
Subhadra Yojana Scheme Overview
Subhadra Yojana scheme is introduced to provide consistent financial backup to women in Odisha. The purpose is to foster economic stability and encourage the use of digital financial tools. The table mentions some basic details of the Subhadra Yojana Scheme:
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Subhadra Yojana Scheme Overview |
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Category |
Detail |
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Launched By |
Government of Odisha |
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Nodal Department |
Women and Child Development Department |
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Year of Introduction |
2024 |
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Primary Goal |
To financially empower women, improve socio-economic status, and promote digital literacy. |
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Total Financial Benefit |
₹50,000 over 5 years (2024–2029) |
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Annual Installment |
₹10,000 per annum |
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Disbursement Dates |
₹5,000 on Rakhi Purnima and ₹5,000 on International Women's Day (March 8) |
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Key Feature |
Provision of a 'Subhadra Card' (ATM-cum-debit card) to beneficiaries. |
What is Subhadra Yojana?
The Yojana is a welfare initiative that guarantees eligible women in Odisha an annual financial grant of ₹10,000. This amount is disbursed in two equal instalments. This direct financial support is provided to provide women with liquid capital. With this capital, they can accomplish their household needs by investing in the education of their children or starting a small business.
This scheme leverages the JAM trinity (Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile) for efficient delivery of funds with the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. The Subhadra Card works as an identity tool and a functional ATM-cum-debit card to facilitate easy financial transactions.
Key Benefits of Subhadra Yojana
Having the Subhadra Card and receiving access to financials provides major advantages to the women of Odisha and their families. Here are some of the benefits of Yojana:
Financial Independence: Provides direct, non-conditional annual financial support of ₹10,000 for five years total ₹50,000. This gives women control over financial resources.
Encourages Savings: The scheme promotes the use of formal banking channels and the Subhadra Card. This fosters a habit of financial management and saving.
Digital Literacy Incentive: The top 100 women in each Gram Panchayat and Urban Local Body who complete the highest number of digital transactions in a year are rewarded with an additional ₹500.
Empowerment and Identity: The provision of the Subhadra Card creates a sense of identity and personal financial empowerment.
Improved Welfare: The financial aid helps improve health, nutritional, and educational outcomes for the family of the women.
Eligibility Criteria for Subhadra Yojana
The Government of Odisha has established specific eligibility criteria to ensure that the benefits of the Yojana reach women from groups with low income. The applicant must fulfil the following criteria:
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Eligibility Criteria for Subhadra Yojana |
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Eligibility Criteria |
Details |
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Residency |
Must be a permanent resident of Odisha. |
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Age Limit |
Applicant must be 21 years or above and below 60 years as on the qualifying date. |
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Income / PDS Status |
Must be covered under NFSA or SFSS. Women without NFSA/SFSS cards can apply if their family annual income ≤ ₹2,50,000. |
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Bank Account |
Must have a single-holder, Aadhaar-enabled, and DBT-enabled bank account. |
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e-KYC |
Must complete e-KYC through the official portal or designated centers. |
Subhadra Yojana Ineligibility/Disqualification Criteria
The Yojana mentions specific conditions under which an applicant or her family will be considered ineligible. These criteria help ensure that the scheme is made available only for those who are economically vulnerable, and deserving women in Odisha. A woman shall be ineligible if she or a family member meets any of the following conditions:
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Receiving financial assistance (pension, scholarship, etc.) of ₹1,500 per month or more or ₹18,000 per annum or more under any other State or Central Government Scheme.
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A current or former Member of Parliament (MP) or Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA).
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An Income Tax Payee.
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An elected public representative in any Urban Local Body or Panchayati Raj Institution (excluding Ward Member / Councillor).
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Employed as a regular or contractual employee in State Government, the Government of India, Public Sector Undertaking, or receiving a pension after retirement. Note: ASHA, Anganwadi Workers, and others engaged through outsourcing are considered eligible if they meet other criteria.
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An owner of a 4-wheeler Motor Vehicle except tractors, mini-trucks, and similar light goods vehicles.
Documents Required for Subhadra Yojana Application
A complete application for the Yojana must be supported by the necessary documents for verification. Here is the essential list of Documents Required:
Completed Application Form: The standardized application form offline or online printout.
Identity & Age Proof: A copy of the Aadhaar Card. Age proof is verified via Aadhaar data.
Bank Account Details: Copy of Bank Passbook. Must be a single-holder, Aadhaar-enabled, and DBT-enabled account.
Mobile Number: A mobile number linked to the Aadhaar card is mandatory for e-KYC.
Ration Card (NFSA/SFSS): Copy of the Ration Card if applicable, for automatic eligibility.
Income Certificate: An Income Certificate for applicants without an NFSA/SFSS card, proving family income is below ₹2.5 lakh.
Passport Size Photographs: Recent passport-size photographs of the applicant.
How to Apply for Subhadra Yojana?
The application process for the Yojana has been streamlined to accommodate both digital and physical submissions, ensuring widespread access for all eligible women across the state. Here is the simplified process on How to Apply for Subhadra Yojana (Step-by-Step):
Obtain the Application Form: Applicants can access the standardised application form either Online from the official Yojana portal or offline by collecting a physical form from the nearest Anganwadi Centre, Block Office, Mo Seba Kendra, or Common Service Centre (CSC).
Fill the Form: Accurately fill in all required personal details, address information, family details, and bank account information. Ensure the details match the Aadhaar record.
Attach Documents: Organise and attach all the necessary Documents Required, including the Aadhaar card copy, bank passbook, and the income certificate or ration card copy if required.
Complete e-KYC: The applicant must ensure that their e-KYC is completed through the portal or by visiting a designated centre. This requires an Aadhaar-linked mobile number for OTP verification.
Submit the Application: Submit the completed form and supporting documents to the nearest designated centre, like CSC, Block Office etc.
Verification and Sanction: The concerned department verifies the application against the eligibility and ineligibility criteria, including income, employment status, and age.
Benefit Disbursement: Upon successful verification, the beneficiary receives the 'Subhadra Card', and the financial assistance is transferred directly into her Aadhaar-linked bank account on the fixed dates (Rakhi Purnima and International Women's Day).
State-wise Guidelines and Key Implementing Institutions for Subhadra Yojana
The Subhadra Yojana is a scheme that is implemented solely by the Government of Odisha. Therefore, the guidelines are uniform across all districts of the state, but the implementation is managed through existing local governance structures. Here are state or region-wise highlights for the implementation of the scheme:
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State-wise Guidelines and Key Implementing Institutions for Subhadra Yojana |
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State or Region Focus |
Implementation Highlight |
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Odisha, All 30 Districts |
The scheme is implemented uniformly across the entire state. The focus is on leveraging the DBT system for direct, transparent fund transfer. |
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Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) & Gram Panchayats |
These local administrative units are important for offline registration, form collection, and organising outreach activities to ensure maximum participation. |
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Anganwadi Centres, CSCs, & Mo Seba Kendras |
These centres work as the primary access points for applicants to collect forms, submit applications, and complete the mandatory e-KYC process. |
The key implementing institution is the Women and Child Development Department, Government of Odisha. The institution is responsible for setting guidelines, managing the digital portal and verifying beneficiary lists. It also looks after the fund disbursement through the DBT mechanism.
Subhadra Yojana Features and Advantages
The Subhadra Yojana is a scheme that provides a monetary transfer and works as an essential tools for financial inclusion and empowerment. Here are the major features and advantages of Yojana:
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Subhadra Yojana Features and Advantages |
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Feature Type |
Feature Detail |
Advantage to Women |
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Financial Security |
Annual financial assistance of ₹10,000 for 5 years. |
Provides a reliable source of income support for essential family expenses. |
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Access & Empowerment |
Provision of a Subhadra Card. |
Creates a sense of identity and provides control over the disbursed funds. |
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Digital Inclusion |
An incentive of ₹500 for the top digital transactors locally. |
Encourages the adoption of digital banking practices Enhances financial literacy and security. |
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Transparency |
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. |
Ensures that the full amount of benefit reaches the beneficiary without any middlemen. |
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Socio-Economic Upliftment |
Broad eligibility covering women from economically weaker sections. |
Helps in promoting gender equality and provides an opportunity for better health and education. |