Uttar Pradesh’s Rani Laxmi Bai Scooty Yojana, launched in 2025, aims to boost higher education among meritorious girl students by providing free scooters. With a ₹400 crore budget, the scheme targets rural girls facing transport challenges. Eligibility criteria and application processes are being finalized, promising enhanced mobility and educational access for thousands.
UP’s Bold Step to Empower Girls Through Free Scooters
In a transformative move to promote higher education among female students, the Uttar Pradesh government, under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has rolled out the Rani Laxmi Bai Scooty Yojana as part of the 2025-26 state budget. Announced on February 20, 2025, by Finance Minister Suresh Khanna, the scheme allocates ₹400 crore to provide free scooters to meritorious girl students, particularly those in rural areas, to address transportation barriers that often lead to dropouts after Class 12.
The initiative, named after the iconic warrior queen Rani Laxmi Bai, targets girls pursuing higher education who have excelled in their Class 12 board examinations. According to state officials, the scheme aims to empower approximately 50,000 eligible students annually, with a focus on those from economically weaker sections and remote regions where public transport is scarce. The Higher Education Department, tasked with implementing the scheme, has formed a six-member committee led by Shipu Giri, director of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), to define eligibility criteria and streamline the selection process.
Data from the 2024-25 academic session highlights the urgency of such interventions, with 28,75,211 girls enrolled in higher education compared to 24,53,758 boys, indicating a growing trend of female participation that the scheme seeks to bolster. However, rural girls often face challenges due to colleges located 20-50 kilometers from their homes, with limited or no reliable transport options. The scooters, which may be electric or fuel-powered, aim to bridge this gap, ensuring timely and safe commutes.
The application process is yet to be fully detailed, but preliminary guidelines suggest that applicants must be permanent residents of Uttar Pradesh, have secured at least 75% marks in their Class 12 exams, and be enrolled in a college. Required documents include Aadhaar cards, residence proof, Class 12 marksheets, income certificates, and passport-size photographs. The Higher Education Department is expected to launch an official website for online applications, with updates pending cabinet approval.
The scheme has sparked enthusiasm among students, particularly in districts like Jhansi, where local colleges have reported increased inquiries about the initiative. Students like Anshika Sharma and Asha Verma, who shared their struggles with long commutes on social platforms, expressed hope that the scheme would ease their daily challenges. However, some concerns remain about the timely rollout and transparency in beneficiary selection, with calls for clear guidelines to avoid discrepancies.
Beyond scooters, the Yogi government has complemented the initiative with other women-centric measures, including plans for hostels named after Ahilyabai Holkar in seven districts to support working women and students. These efforts align with the state’s broader goal of making Uttar Pradesh a hub for women’s education and empowerment, with schemes like the UP Free Tablet Yojana also supporting students’ academic needs.
As the Rani Laxmi Bai Scooty Yojana prepares for implementation, it stands as a testament to Uttar Pradesh’s commitment to gender equity in education. With the potential to transform lives by removing logistical barriers, the scheme is poised to inspire a new generation of women to pursue their academic and professional dreams with confidence.
Disclaimer: This article is based on recent news reports, government announcements, and publicly available data from sources like the Uttar Pradesh Higher Education Department, Times of India, Hindustan Times, and posts on X. Information regarding eligibility and application processes is subject to change pending official guidelines. Readers are advised to verify details through official government portals.