HP Govt Extends Education Aid to Widows' Children aged 19-27

Himachal Pradesh extends ₹1,000 monthly assistance under the Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana to eligible children of widows and single women aged 19-27, expanding support beyond the existing 18-year limit.

The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to extend the monthly financial assistance available under the Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana to eligible children of widows and single women aged between 19 and 27 years. The move expands the existing support, which is currently available to eligible children up to the age of 18.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu directed the Women and Child Development Department to initiate the necessary process for extending the benefit during a review meeting. Under the expanded provision, eligible beneficiaries in the 19-27 age group will receive ₹1,000 per month as pocket money.

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The Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana is aimed at supporting the education and welfare of children from vulnerable families. The state government currently provides ₹1,000 monthly assistance to eligible children of widows and single women until they turn 18. The latest decision extends this financial support during a period when beneficiaries may be pursuing higher education or other academic programmes.

The scheme also provides educational support to eligible children. According to state government information, the programme covers higher education-related expenses for eligible beneficiaries, including studies in fields such as medicine, engineering, nursing and other higher education programmes. The government has previously provided financial assistance for tuition and related educational requirements under its welfare initiatives.

At present, the Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana benefits 21,292 beneficiaries in Himachal Pradesh. The state has made a budgetary provision of ₹40.29 crore for the current financial year for the scheme, according to reports on the chief minister’s review meeting.

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Sukhu also instructed the department to ensure that welfare benefits reach eligible beneficiaries without delays. The government plans to develop an integrated portal covering the department’s welfare schemes, with the aim of simplifying access and reducing difficulties in availing benefits.

The extension of the monthly assistance broadens the age coverage of the scheme and provides continued financial support to eligible young people from widowed and single-parent households as they progress beyond school-level education.