After the April 30 e-KYC deadline, the Ladki Bahin scheme has gone through a major clean-up, sharply reducing its beneficiary base. From an initial 2.46 crore women enrolled at launch in mid-2024, nearly 65 lakh have been removed after verification, bringing the total down to around 1.81 crore.

The scheme

Launched in 2024 ahead of the Assembly elections, the Ladki Bahin scheme promised Rs 1500 per month to women from economically weaker sections, quickly becoming one of the state’s most high-profile welfare programmes.