The NSIGSE, or the National Scheme of Incentives to Girls for Secondary Education, is an initiative by the government of India to reduce dropout rates among female students.

It aims to retain female students enrolled until they complete their 12th standard or reach 18 years of age. Another objective is to promote higher secondary education among girls and increase enrollment numbers for girls from the SC/ST and other marginalised communities.

Key features of the NSIGSE scheme

Here are some of the many features of the NSIGSE scheme:

• The NSIGSE scheme gives scholarships to female students who can successfully pass standard 8 exams from the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya, irrespective of the caste or tribe they belong to.
• Every year, 1% of the incentive amount will be used to administer, evaluate and monitor the students coming to school.
• No income factors will be taken into consideration to provide the benefits of the NSIGSE scheme to female students from SC/ST communities who clear their standard 8 exams from KGBVs. This is because they are generally from an economically disadvantaged section of the society.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs is the issuing agency that monitors and manages the NSIGSE scholarship scheme.
• The scholarships that are availed under the NSIGSE scheme are provided as a one-time incentive for the national level.
• Applications for the NSIGSE scheme are evaluated and accepted from September to November. However, one should regularly check the website to be informed about the exact dates and time windows.

Eligibility criteria of the NSIGSE Scheme

To qualify for the NSIGSE scheme, female students must meet the following criteria:

• The applicant must be a female from a Scheduled Caste (SC) or a Scheduled Tribe (ST) who has passed their class 8 exams from any Indian school recognised by either state or central government authorities.
• Female students from Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas who complete their class 8 examinations and enrol in class 9 in any government or recognised private schools from the academic year 2006-07 and onwards are eligible.
• Applicants must not be married when applying for this scheme.
• Benefits under the scheme are not available for students attending private schools.
• Students enrolled in CBSE schools or other institutions managed by the Central Government are also ineligible for the scheme's benefits.
• The incentive amount, along with any accrued interest, can only be withdrawn after the beneficiary student attains the age of 18.
• If the beneficiary dies before turning 18, the incentive amount is returned to the Central Government of India.
• At the time of application, the girl must be under 16 years old upon enrollment in class 9 to qualify for the NSIGSE scheme benefits.

How to apply for the NSIGSE scheme

To apply for the National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education (NSIGSE), follow these steps to complete the online application process:

Step 1: Go to the official NSIGSE scheme website.

Step 2: If you are a new user, register by scrolling down the page to review the instructions. Click ‘Continue’ at the bottom to proceed.

Step 3: Provide all necessary information. A unique application ID and password will be generated and shown on your screen. Additionally, an OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number via SMS.

Step 4: Input the OTP you receive and verify your details.

Step 5: Complete the application form with your personal and scheme-related information. Ensure that all details are entered correctly.

Step 6: Review all the information before submitting your application. Once submitted, your application process is complete. Retain a copy of the final application form for your records.

Incorrectly entered details may cause issues later when accessing NSIGSE scheme benefits.

Documents required

Every school that wants to implement the NSIGSE scheme must first make a list of all eligible female students and then go on to prepare the proposal at the start of every academic year. Within three months of the start date, the relevant state government or Union Territory authority must submit the combined proposal to the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).

Eligible female candidates must submit the following documents when applying for the NSIGSE scheme:

• Proof of domicile for the applicant
• Certificate of income from parents or legal guardians issued by the relevant state or Union Territory authorities
• Class 10 mark sheet of the applicant
• A certificate from the school principal or head confirming the continuation of the applicant for two years after enrollment in the ninth class
• Receipts for fees paid for the current class
• A scanned copy of the applicant’s Aadhaar card
• Proof of the applicant’s bank account, either a personal account or a joint account with one of the parents
• Disability certificate, if applicable

Things to know about the evaluation process

Here is an overview of the application form evaluation process for the NSIGSE scheme:

1. School responsibilities: The implementing schools are tasked with thoroughly reviewing eligible students and then are required to make proposals for issuing incentives. These proposals must be submitted to the concerned government of state governments or UT admins through the appropriate channels.
2. State government/Union territory responsibilities: Government of state or Union Territory administrators are responsible for compiling a consolidated proposal. This proposal must be forwarded to the Department of School Education and Literacy, managed by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).
3. Proposal contents: The consolidated proposal should include:
   • The list of the schools that can benefit from the NSIGSE scheme within the state or Union Territory.
   • The schools that qualify must have submitted proposals for coverage under the scheme.
   • Details of SC, ST, OBC, and general category girls who have passed their class 8 examinations from Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) and are eligible for benefits.
   • Age-wise breakdown of the number of girls eligible for NSIGSE scheme benefits.
   • The total amount of incentive proposed to be released under the scheme.
4. Fund release process: The Central Government can disburse funds in two instalments each year to the respective state or Union Territory administrations. The first instalment is provided upon receipt of proposals. The second instalment is released after the state or UT governments submit a utilisation certificate and progress report.
5. Application verification: Applications are verified against the enrolment records and matched with the applicant's birth certificate provided by the school authorities.
6. Duration of study: To qualify for the benefits, the beneficiary girl must continue with her education for at least two years after she enrols in class 9. The school principal or head is responsible for issuing a certificate confirming this.
7. Incentive withdrawal: The incentive can be withdrawn upon successful completion of the class 10 board examinations with passing marks.
8. Fund transfer: The scheme's implementing body approves the release of funds. Once document verification is completed, the bank will transfer the amount, including accrued interest, to the beneficiary's savings account.

Conclusion

The National Scheme of Incentives to Girls for Secondary Education (NSIGSE) is a crucial initiative in India’s efforts to promote gender equality and help the girl child. By providing financial support to girls at a critical stage in their education, the scheme has helped reduce dropout rates and ensure that more girls continue their studies beyond primary school. As the scheme continues to evolve, addressing its challenges and enhancing its implementation will be key to ensuring that every eligible girl in India can benefit from this important program.

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