Delhi Government Approves Lakshmi Yojana Monthly Cash Aid for Women

The Delhi cabinet, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, approved the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana on July 28, a welfare program providing ₹2,500 in monthly financial assistance to approximately 17 lakh eligible women. The initiative fulfills a Bharatiya Janata Party campaign promise from the 2025 election manifesto and replaces the previous Aam Aadmi Party Mahila Samman Yojana. The government has allocated ₹5,110 crore for the scheme for the 2026-27 financial year.

An application portal will launch on August 1, with the government aiming to disburse the first installment around Raksha Bandhan following application scrutiny. To qualify, applicants must have an annual family income not exceeding ₹2.5 lakh, have resided in Delhi for at least 10 years, and provide a self-declaration of no criminal record. Those who pay income tax, own four-wheelers, or have government-employed family members are excluded. While sources differ on age requirements, citing either 18-60 or 21-60, beneficiaries can receive funds via long-term savings or a CBDC Digital Rupee wallet.

Delhi BJP leaders Harsh Malhotra and Yogita Singh welcomed the launch, contrasting the ₹2,500 payment with the previous administration's promised ₹1,000 allowance. The scheme will be implemented by the Women and Child Development department, supported by software developed by the IT department to verify beneficiaries.