Gandhinagar: Gujarat Chief Minister today launched Namo Lakshmi and Namo Saraswati Vigyan Sadhna schemes of the State government.

Under Namo Lakshmi scheme, Rs. 50,000 financial assistance will be given in the span of four years to girls studying in class 9 to class 12.

Under Namo Saraswati Vigyan Scheme, Rs. 25,000 financial assistance will be given in two years span to science stream students (boys and girls) of class 11-12.

Government, granted and private school students in class 9 to 12 will benefit from the schemes.

The Chief Minister said that under Namo Lakshmi scheme, Rs. 500 per student per month will be given for 10-10months in class 9 and 10. The rest amount of Rs. 10,000 will be given after passing of class-10 board exam. In class 11 and 12th, Rs. 750 per month will be given for 10-10 months. The balance Rs. 15,000 will be given after passing of class-12 board exam.

Under Namo Saraswati Vidya and Sadhana scheme, class 11-12 science student will get Rs. 1,000 per month for 10-10 months, thus total Rs. 20,000. The balanced Rs. 500 will be given on passing of class 12 Science board exam. It’s worth noting here that class 9 and 10 Science, Commerce and Arts and class 11-12 girls students will benefit from Namo Lakshmi Yojana, while class 11-12 science students(both girls and boys) will get benefit of Namo Saraswati Vigyan Sadhana yojana. Class 11-12 Science girls students will benefit from both Namo Lakshmi and Namo Saraswati schemes.

In government and granted schools, the benefit of these schemes will be given without considering the family income limit.

Both schemes were declared in the budget this year. The government has provisioned Rs. 1250 crore for Namo Lakshmi and Rs. 400 crore for Namo Saraswati scheme – thus total Rs. 1650 crore provisions are made.

Chief Minister said, the State government has given administrative approvals fo 88 percent provisions made in the budget for fast implementation.

These two schemes, Namo Lakshmi Yojana and Namo Saraswati Vigyan Sadhana Yojana, are expected to benefit approximately 15 lakh students in secondary and higher secondary schools, providing direct financial assistance through DBT (Direct Beneficiary Transfer) every year.

Additionally, during the launch event, benefits of an estimated ₹61 crore were distributed to over 60,000 students under the Gyansetu Merit Scholarship, Gyansadhana Merit Scholarship, Gyanshakti Residential Schools of Excellence, and Rakshashakti Schools.

The budget allocation for school education has more than doubled in the last five years, and the introduction of these schemes will significantly uplift the education levels of primary, secondary, and higher secondary school students in the state, particularly benefiting girls. DeshGujarat

Namo Lakshmi Yojana:

Namo Lakshmi Yojana aims to support girls studying in secondary and higher secondary schools in the state to complete their studies from class 9 to 12. Under this scheme, financial assistance of ₹50,000 will be provided to every girl who completes her studies from class 9 to 12. The scheme targets an estimated 10 lakh girls in government, aided, and private schools, aiming to increase enrollment, reduce dropout rates, and empower girls through education and nutrition. The Gujarat Budget 2024-25 allocates approximately ₹1250 crore for Namo Lakshmi Yojana.

Namo Saraswati Vigyan Sadhana Yojana:

Vigyan Sadhana Yojana is introduced to promote science education in class 11-12 from the year 2024-25. Students who have passed the Class 10 Board Examination with more than 50% marks will be eligible for admission to Science in Class 11-12 in State Government, Aided, and Self-Supporting Schools affiliated with Gujarat Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education and Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) recognized schools. The scheme offers total assistance of Rs. 25,000 on admission in the science stream, with a provision of ₹250 crore in the Gujarat Budget 2024-25.

DeshGujarat