Chief Minister’s Vidya Scheme is a long-term education incentive scheme of the Department of School Education, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, designed to encourage girl students to continue their studies beyond the elementary stage. Under the scheme, the Government deposits Rs. 10,000 as a Fixed Deposit (FD) in the name of every eligible girl who passes Class V and takes admission in Class VI in a State Government School. The deposit remains locked until the student completes Class XII and attains 18 years of age, after which she receives the maturity amount along with the accrued interest. The scheme serves as an educational support mechanism aimed at reducing dropout rates and promoting higher school retention among girls.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister’s Vidya Scheme Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Chief Minister’s Vidya Scheme |
| Launched | 2013-14 |
| Revised Guidelines | Vidya Scheme Guidelines, 2019 (Notification No. SEDN-285/2019 dated 6 February 2020) |
| Implementing Department | Department of School Education, Government of Arunachal Pradesh |
| Primary Objective | Promote girls’ education and reduce school dropout rates |
| Financial Benefit | Rs. 10,000 Fixed Deposit in the student’s name |
| Previous Benefit Amount | Rs. 5,000 (enhanced to Rs. 10,000 from 2015-16 onwards) |
| Deposit Bank | State Bank of India (SBI) or another approved Public Sector Bank |
| Eligible Students | Girls enrolled in Class VI in State Government Schools |
| Entry Eligibility | Successful completion of Class V |
| Maturity Conditions | Must pass Class XII and complete 18 years of age |
| Maturity Benefit | Fixed Deposit amount plus accrued bank interest |
| Premature Withdrawal | Not permitted under the scheme |
| Nature of Assistance | One-time educational incentive, not a recurring scholarship |
| Application Mode | Offline through the school and DDSE office |
| Verification Authority | Deputy Director of School Education (DDSE) |
| Key Document for Claim | Original FD acknowledgement receipt issued by the bank |
| Official Portal | education.arunachal.gov.in |
| Official Gazette | printing.arunachal.gov.in |
Introduction of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister’s Vidya Scheme: A Brief Insight
For many families in Arunachal Pradesh, the transition from elementary school to higher classes can be a challenging phase for a girl’s education. Financial constraints, household responsibilities, and social factors often increase the risk of students dropping out before completing their schooling. To encourage families to keep their daughters in school, the Government of Arunachal Pradesh introduced the Chief Minister’s Vidya Scheme during the 2013-14 academic year.
The scheme is implemented by the Department of School Education, Government of Arunachal Pradesh. Its primary goal is to promote continuous education among girl students, improve retention rates in schools, and motivate them to complete their studies up to Class XII through a long-term financial incentive.
Under the scheme, every eligible girl student who successfully passes Class V and takes admission in Class VI in a State Government School receives a Fixed Deposit of Rs. 10,000 in her own name. The deposit remains safely invested in the bank and continues to earn interest throughout her school years.
The benefit is not released immediately. Instead, the amount remains locked until the student fulfils two important conditions, she must complete Class XII and must have attained 18 years of age. Once both conditions are satisfied, she becomes eligible to receive the maturity amount, including the accumulated interest earned on the deposit.
One of the most important features of the scheme is that premature withdrawal is not permitted. This ensures that the financial benefit remains linked to educational continuity and encourages girls to stay in school until the completion of higher secondary education.
Families do not need to submit a separate online application. The process begins through the student’s school at the time of admission to Class VI. The school forwards the required documents to the concerned Deputy Director of School Education (DDSE), who supervises the verification process, creation of the Fixed Deposit, and eventual release of the maturity amount.
For assistance regarding enrolment, documentation, or maturity claims, parents can contact the School Principal, Headmaster, or the concerned DDSE office in their district.
Families in Arunachal Pradesh looking for support in hospitality and tourism careers can also explore the Chief Minister’s Paryatan Shiksha Yojana (CMPSY), which sponsors ST students for hotel management and culinary courses. Girls who complete their education can additionally look at the Central Government’s PM Internship Scheme, offering 12-month internships with a monthly stipend at India’s leading companies, a valuable next step once schooling is complete.
Families and anyone looking for more education, welfare, and girl-child schemes available under the Arunachal Pradesh Government can explore all available programmes on our Arunachal Pradesh Government Welfare Schemes page.
Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries
The Department of School Education, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, provides a long-term financial benefit to encourage girls to continue their education and complete higher secondary schooling.
Fixed Deposit Benefit
- A Fixed Deposit (FD) of Rs. 10,000 is opened in the name of every eligible girl student enrolled under the scheme
- The benefit was initially introduced with an FD amount of Rs. 5,000 during 2013-14 and was later increased to Rs. 10,000 from 2015-16 onwards
- The deposit is maintained in the student’s own name through the State Bank of India (SBI)
- In districts where SBI facilities are unavailable, another approved Public Sector Bank may be selected with permission from the Director, Elementary Education
Maturity Amount After Class XII
- The Fixed Deposit remains locked until the student completes her schooling journey
- After fulfilling all scheme conditions, the student receives the original deposit amount along with the accumulated bank interest
- The final maturity value depends on the applicable bank FD interest rates during the deposit period
- The maturity amount is credited directly to the student’s bank account after verification
Support for Continued Education
- Encourages girls to continue their studies from Class VI to Class XII
- Promotes retention of girl students in the school education system
- Provides a financial asset that becomes available when the student reaches adulthood
- Acts as an incentive for families to support the girl’s educational journey
Important Conditions
- The benefit is available only once per eligible student
- Premature withdrawal is not permitted under the scheme
- The amount can be claimed only after the student passes Class XII and attains 18 years of age
- Both conditions must be satisfied before the maturity amount is released
Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled
To receive benefits under the Chief Minister’s Vidya Scheme, a student must satisfy the eligibility conditions prescribed by the Department of School Education, Government of Arunachal Pradesh. The scheme has been designed exclusively for girl students studying in State Government Schools.
- Applicant must be a girl student
- Must have successfully passed Class V from a recognised school
- Must take admission in Class VI of a State Government School in Arunachal Pradesh
Conditions for Receiving the Maturity Amount
The Fixed Deposit created under the scheme can be claimed only after fulfilling both of the following conditions:
- Must have successfully passed Class XII
- Must have completed 18 years of age
Important: Merely passing Class XII does not make a student eligible for withdrawal if she is below 18 years of age. Likewise, attaining 18 years of age alone is not sufficient unless Class XII has also been completed. Both conditions must be fulfilled before the maturity amount can be released.
Who Cannot Avail the Benefits?
- Boys, as the scheme is meant only for girl students
- Students who fail to pass Class V or do not enrol in Class VI in a State Government School
- Students seeking to withdraw the deposit before meeting the prescribed maturity conditions
- Beneficiaries who have not completed both Class XII education and 18 years of age
Documents Required to be Attached
Beneficiaries should keep the required documents ready at different stages of the Chief Minister’s Vidya Scheme. Some documents are needed when the Fixed Deposit (FD) is created after admission to Class VI, while others are required when the maturity amount is claimed after completing Class XII.
Documents Required at the Time of Class VI Admission (FD Creation)
- Class V Pass Certificate issued by the concerned school and duly countersigned by the Deputy Director of School Education (DDSE) of the respective district
- Recent passport-size photograph of the girl student
- Bank account details required for opening the Fixed Deposit account
Documents Required at the Time of Claiming the Maturity Amount
- Class XII marksheet or passing certificate along with verification from the concerned DDSE
- Birth Certificate to confirm that the beneficiary has attained 18 years of age
- Original acknowledgement receipt issued by SBI at the time of Fixed Deposit creation
- Bank passbook or account details for credit of the maturity amount
How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of the Scheme
The Chief Minister’s Vidya Scheme is very different from a regular scholarship. Under this scheme, the Government does not give money every month or every year. Instead, a Fixed Deposit (FD) is opened in the girl’s name when she joins Class VI, and the money becomes available only after she completes Class XII and turns 18 years old.
To make it easy to understand, think of it as a savings account created by the Government for your daughter’s future education journey.
Stage 1: Opening the Fixed Deposit After Admission to Class VI
Step 1: When your daughter successfully passes Class V and takes admission in Class VI at a State Government School, inform the school authorities that she is eligible for the Chief Minister’s Vidya Scheme.
Step 2: The school will check her eligibility and help arrange the required documents, including the Class V Pass Certificate.
Step 3: The Class V Pass Certificate must be verified and countersigned by the concerned Deputy Director of School Education (DDSE) of the district.
Step 4: Submit the required photograph and other details requested by the school for processing the scheme benefit.
Step 5: After verification, the proposal is forwarded through the proper channel, and a Fixed Deposit of Rs. 10,000 is created in the girl’s name through SBI or another approved Public Sector Bank.
Step 6: Once the FD is created, an acknowledgement receipt is issued by the bank. Keep this receipt safely because it will be required many years later when claiming the maturity amount.
Stage 2: During School Education (Class VI to Class XII)
Step 7: After the FD is opened, there is usually no further action required from the student or parents. The deposit remains safely invested in the bank and continues to earn interest over time.
Step 8: The student should continue her studies regularly and complete her schooling up to Class XII.
Step 9: Remember that the money cannot be withdrawn during this period. The scheme does not allow premature withdrawal before the prescribed conditions are fulfilled.
Stage 3: Claiming the Maturity Amount After Class XII
Step 10: After passing Class XII and completing 18 years of age, the student becomes eligible to claim the maturity amount.
Step 11: Collect the required documents, including the Class XII marksheet or passing certificate, Birth Certificate, original FD acknowledgement receipt, and bank passbook.
Step 12: Visit the concerned DDSE office and submit the documents for verification.
Step 13: The DDSE office verifies that the student has fulfilled both mandatory conditions — successful completion of Class XII and attainment of 18 years of age.
Step 14: After verification, the required report is issued, and the maturity claim is processed through the bank.
Step 15: Once all formalities are completed, the bank releases the maturity amount, which includes the original Rs. 10,000 deposit along with the accumulated interest.
Important: There is no separate online registration portal for this scheme. The entire process is handled through the school, DDSE office, and the designated bank. Parents should carefully preserve the original FD acknowledgement receipt from Class VI onwards, as it is one of the most important documents required for receiving the final benefit.
Important Links Available of the Scheme
- Department of School Education Arunachal Pradesh Official Portal
- Vidya Scheme District Lohit Education Page (Reference)
- Vidya Scheme Guidelines, 2019 (Revised) Official Gazette Notification (PDF)
- Chief Minister’s Flagship Programme (CMFP) Official Schemes List
Contact Details in Case of Help Needed
- Nodal Department: Department of School Education, Government of Arunachal Pradesh
- School Level: Contact the Principal/Head of School where your daughter is enrolled
- District Level: Contact the Deputy Director of School Education (DDSE) of your district for verification and documentation queries
- Administrative Level: Contact the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of your district for further clarification
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is the Chief Minister’s Vidya Scheme?
Ans. The Chief Minister’s Vidya Scheme is a girls’ education support initiative of the Department of School Education, Government of Arunachal Pradesh. Under the scheme, a Fixed Deposit is created in the name of eligible girl students when they join Class VI, encouraging them to continue their studies up to Class XII.
Q. Who can avail the benefits of this scheme?
Ans. Girl students who have successfully passed Class V and take admission in Class VI of a State Government School in Arunachal Pradesh are eligible to receive the benefit.
Q. How much financial benefit is provided under the scheme?
Ans. The Government deposits Rs. 10,000 as a Fixed Deposit in the student’s name. Earlier, the amount was Rs. 5,000, but it was increased to Rs. 10,000 from the 2015-16 academic session onwards.
Q. Is this a monthly scholarship?
Ans. No. The scheme does not provide monthly, quarterly, or annual scholarship payments. It offers a one-time Fixed Deposit that matures after the student fulfils the prescribed conditions.
Q. When can the maturity amount be claimed?
Ans. The maturity amount can be claimed only after the student passes Class XII and has completed 18 years of age. Both conditions must be satisfied before payment is released.
Q. Can the Fixed Deposit be withdrawn before maturity?
Ans. No. The scheme does not allow premature withdrawal. The deposit remains locked until the student becomes eligible for the maturity claim.
Q. Which bank opens the Fixed Deposit?
Ans. The Fixed Deposit is generally opened through the State Bank of India (SBI). In areas where SBI facilities are not available, another approved Public Sector Bank may be used with the necessary departmental approval.
Q. Do parents need to apply online?
Ans. No. There is no separate online application portal for this scheme. The process is handled through the student’s school and the concerned Deputy Director of School Education (DDSE).
Q. Are students studying in private schools eligible?
Ans. The available guidelines specifically mention admission in State Government Schools. Parents of students studying in private or government-aided schools should confirm eligibility with the concerned DDSE office.
Q. Will the student receive interest on the deposit amount?
Ans. Yes. At maturity, the student receives the original deposit amount along with the interest earned during the deposit period. The final amount depends on the applicable bank FD rates.
Q. Is the scheme available for boys?
Ans. No. The Chief Minister’s Vidya Scheme is meant exclusively for girl students.
Q. What documents are required at the time of maturity claim?
Ans. The student must submit the Class XII marksheet or passing certificate, DDSE verification report, Birth Certificate, original FD acknowledgement receipt, and bank passbook for processing the maturity payment.
Q. What should parents do if the FD acknowledgement receipt is lost?
Ans. Since the original acknowledgement receipt is an important document for claiming the maturity amount, parents should immediately contact the concerned bank and DDSE office for guidance regarding the required procedure and verification process.
Q. Where can beneficiaries get help regarding this scheme?
Ans. Beneficiaries may contact their school’s Headmaster/Principal, the concerned Deputy Director of School Education (DDSE), or the district administration office for assistance related to eligibility, documentation, and maturity claims.
Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare scheme programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.