Vivah Anudan Yojana – Benefits across Uttar Pradesh | Lucknow News

VivahAnudan Yojana, also known as Shadi Anudan Yojana, is an important individual marriage assistance scheme of the Uttar Pradesh government.In his landmark 9-year tenure as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh since 2017, Yogi Adityanath has strengthened the VivahAnudan Yojana (Shadi Anudan Yojana), a key social welfare scheme that provides direct financial assistance of Rs 20,000 to economically weaker families for the marriage of their daughters.Prior to 2017, a section of society was continuously marginalised as they never made it to the mainstream of policy making. The Chief Minister’s vision brought them to the forefront and made their lives better in many aspects. It provides direct financial support to economically weaker families for the marriage of their daughters. Implemented through different departments — Social Welfare (for SC/General), Backward Classes Welfare (for OBC), and Tribal Welfare (for ST) — the scheme aims to reduce the financial burden of weddings on poor households without requiring participation in mass marriage events. It complements the MukhyamantriSamuhikVivah Yojana by offering standalone monetary aid for private or family-organised marriages.Under this scheme, eligible families receive a one-time grant of Rs 20,000 (in many categories) directly transferred to the bride’s or parent’s bank account. The primary objective is to promote legal-age marriages, discourage dowry, and support the dignified marriage of girls from BPL and low-income families.The benefit is available for a maximum of two daughters per family. Applications must be submitted online within 90 days before or after the marriage date through the portal.Salient Features of the Scheme 1. Objective and Purpose •Provides direct financial assistance for the marriage of daughters from economically weaker families. •Aims to reduce the financial burden on poor households and promote dignified marriages. •Complements the mass marriage scheme by supporting individual/family-organised weddings. •Encourages legal-age marriages and discourages dowry practices.2. Financial Assistance •One-time grant of Rs 20,000 per daughter (directly transferred to the bride’s or parent’s bank account via DBT). •Maximum benefit allowed for two daughters per family. •No additional items or goods provided — pure cash support for wedding expenses. •Implemented separately by Social Welfare (SC/General), Backward Classes (OBC), and Tribal Welfare (ST) departments.3. Eligibility Criteria •Bride must be at least 18 years and groom at least 21 years on the date of marriage. •Applicant (usually parent/guardian) must be a permanent resident of Uttar Pradesh. •Family annual income limit: ₹1 lakh for OBC; ₹56,460 (urban) / ₹46,460 (rural) for SC/ST/General categories. •Open to all categories — SC, ST, OBC, Minority, and General (BPL/EWS families).4. How to Apply •Visit the official portal: shadianudan. upsdc. gov. in/. •Register using Aadhaar and fill the online application form with bride, groom, and family details. •Submit the form within 90 days before or after the marriage date. •Application can also be submitted offline at the concerned District Social Welfare / Backward Classes / Tribal Welfare Office. •Benefit is released after document verification and approval.5. Key Features and Documents Required •Completely free of cost with transparent Aadhaar-linked verification. •Essential Documents: Aadhaar cards (bride, groom, parent), UP domicile certificate, income certificate, age proof (birth certificate/marksheet), bank account details of the bride/parent, marriage invitation card or certificate, and caste certificate (if applicable). •Quick DBT delivery ensures timely support. •Focuses on social security and empowerment of girls from underprivileged sections.Two Major Achievements of the scheme1. Significant Increase in Beneficiaries •In the financial year 2024–25, the scheme provided marriage grants to 1 lakh OBC families — twice the number of beneficiaries compared to the previous year. •This sharp rise was mainly due to the revision of income eligibility limits (raised to ₹1 lakh for OBC), allowing more families from economically weaker sections to avail the benefit. •Overall, the scheme has supported lakhs of daughters’ marriages across SC, ST, OBC, and General categories since its implementation.2. Effective Financial Support and Transparent Delivery •The scheme has successfully delivered direct bank transfers of Rs 20,000 (and in some cases enhanced amounts) to thousands of eligible families every year, helping reduce the economic burden of weddings on poor households. •Aadhaar-linked verification and online portal processes have ensured better targeting and minimised leakages, while enabling timely support for individual marriages outside mass events. •It has played a key role in promoting legal-age marriages and social welfare for girls from underprivileged backgrounds across all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh.