Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approves free scooty scheme for college girls

The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on Tuesday (July 21, 2026) approved guidelines for the implementation of the Rani Lakshmibai Scooty Yojana, under which free scooters will be provided to deserving female undergraduate students.

The scheme will play a significant role in providing easier access to higher education for female students while making them self-reliant and confident, the state government said. Eligible female students will be selected on merit from a list containing the top 5% of female graduates.

“The main objective of this ambitious plan of the state government is to reduce the dropout rate among girls, increase their retention in higher education, ensure their mobility and easy transportation to colleges and improve the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER). Along with this, special emphasis has also been placed on developing a sense of confidence and independence among female students,” said Yogendra Upadhyay, Minister for Higher Education.

Under this scheme, during the academic session 2025-2026, the benefits will be extended to female students who are residents of Uttar Pradesh and have completed graduation from state universities, private universities and government, government-aided and self-financed colleges affiliated to state universities in the state. Eligible female students will be selected on merit from a list containing the top 5 percent of female graduates.

According to the government’s decision, petrol-powered scooters will be provided under the scheme. The government has taken this decision in view of better availability of petrol pumps and service centers in remote rural areas of the state. “Scooters will be procured through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal to ensure transparency and quality. The scooter package will include not only the vehicle, but also registration fees, comprehensive vehicle insurance, ISI marked helmet, 4 liters of petrol and all necessary accessories, so that the beneficiaries will not have to bear any additional financial burden,” the government added.

The UP government said the program will increase the participation of daughters in higher education, especially by making it easier for students from rural and remote areas to access colleges and universities.

Published – 22 Jul 2026 04:00 IST