Namo Lakshmi! 64,000 more girls now in schools

The financial incentive scheme provides Rs 50,000 over four years to combat high-school dropout rates among girls in Gujarat

- | Niyati.Rana

Gujarat's education system faces a troubling reality. Just 70% of students stay in secondary school, while only 38% continue through higher secondary. This low retention rate contributes to 22% of girls in the state marrying before they turn 18. Yet the government's financial incentive approach is beginning to turn the tide.

Recent analysis of the Namo Lakshmi scheme reveals a promising shift. Girl enrolment in classes 9 to 12 has jumped by more than 64,184 students this year. According to education department officials, 13,94,796 girls have registered under the scheme in 2025-26. This marks a substantial rise from 13,30,612 in 2024-25.