“The Uttar Pradesh government’s Rani Laxmi Bai Scooty Yojana, launched in 2025, provides free scooters to meritorious girl students to ease their commute to college, reduce dropout rates, and promote women’s empowerment. With a ₹400 crore budget, the scheme targets rural students, ensuring access to higher education.”
Rani Laxmi Bai Scooty Scheme: Free Scooters for Meritorious Girls
The Uttar Pradesh government has rolled out the Rani Laxmi Bai Scooty Yojana, a transformative initiative aimed at empowering meritorious girl students by providing free scooters to facilitate their commute to college. Announced in the 2025-26 state budget by Finance Minister Suresh Khanna on February 20, 2025, the scheme has been allocated ₹400 crore to support higher education for girls, particularly in rural and remote areas.
The primary objective of the scheme is to address the transportation barriers that often lead to higher dropout rates among female students after completing school. In rural Uttar Pradesh, many girls face challenges traveling long distances to reach colleges, resulting in discontinued education due to safety concerns or financial constraints. By providing free scooters, the government aims to ensure that these students can pursue higher education without the burden of transportation costs or safety issues.
Eligibility for the Rani Laxmi Bai Scooty Yojana is merit-based, targeting girls who have excelled in their Class 12 board examinations and are enrolled in college for higher studies. While official guidelines are yet to be released, sources indicate that applicants must be permanent residents of Uttar Pradesh and have secured at least 75% marks in their Class 12 exams. The scheme is expected to prioritize students from economically weaker sections to maximize its impact.
The application process for the scheme will likely be online, hosted on the Uttar Pradesh Higher Education Department’s official website or a dedicated portal. Students will need to submit documents such as their Aadhaar card, Class 12 marksheet, income certificate, domicile certificate, and a passport-size photograph. Once applications are verified, selected candidates will receive notifications via SMS and email, and scooters will be distributed through designated centers in every district to ensure a transparent and student-friendly process.
The initiative has been widely praised for its focus on women’s empowerment and education. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized during a legislative assembly session that the scheme is part of broader efforts to honor “nari shakti” (women’s power) and enable girls to pursue higher education without obstacles. The scheme is particularly significant for rural areas, where public transportation is often unreliable, and safety concerns deter families from allowing girls to travel long distances.
To ensure smooth implementation, the state government has formed a six-member committee, chaired by Shipu Giri, director of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) and Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA). This panel is tasked with defining eligibility criteria and outlining the selection process for beneficiaries. The Higher Education Department is expected to release detailed guidelines soon, clarifying the application timeline and additional requirements.
The Rani Laxmi Bai Scooty Yojana is not the first of its kind in Uttar Pradesh. A similar initiative was announced in 2022, targeting female students pursuing graduation or post-graduation, but the 2025 scheme expands its scope with a larger budget and a focus on meritorious students. The scheme has already generated significant interest, with students and parents actively seeking information about the application process and eligibility criteria.
In Jhansi, the scheme has sparked excitement among girl students, who see it as a tribute to the iconic Rani Laxmi Bai, a symbol of courage and empowerment. Local reports indicate that students are eagerly awaiting the official launch of the application portal to apply for the scheme. The initiative is expected to benefit thousands of girls across the state, enabling them to access education and build brighter futures.
The Rani Laxmi Bai Scooty Yojana aligns with the Uttar Pradesh government’s broader vision of promoting education and self-reliance among women. By reducing financial and logistical barriers, the scheme is poised to make a lasting impact on female education and empowerment in the state.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information sourced from reputable news outlets, including The Times of India, Hindustan Times, and other government scheme-related websites. The details provided are accurate as of the latest updates available on September 2, 2025. Readers are advised to verify eligibility and application processes through official government portals once launched.