TN Girl Child Protection Scheme: How to Get ₹50,000 Fixed Deposit (2026 Guide)

In a small, sun-drenched house in the heart of Dharmapuri, a young mother named Lakshmi holds her newborn daughter, Kani. Years ago, in this very region, the birth of a girl was often met with hushed tones and heavy hearts—the “burden” of a future dowry looming larger than the joy of a new life. But today, Lakshmi is smiling. In her hand is not just a birth certificate, but a promise from the state: a Fixed Deposit receipt for ₹50,000.

This isn’t just a financial transaction; it is a shield. It is the Chief Minister’s Girl Child Protection Scheme, a visionary initiative by the Tamil Nadu government that has, for decades, been turning the tide against gender discrimination, one deposit at a time.

The Economics of Hope: What is the ₹50,000 Scheme?

The Tamil Nadu Girl Child Protection Scheme (GCPS) is designed with a singular, powerful goal: to ensure that a girl child is seen as an asset, not a liability. Under Scheme-I, the government deposits ₹50,000 in the name of a girl child born into a family with only one daughter.

For families with two girl children, Scheme-II provides a deposit of ₹25,000 for each child. These funds are placed in a fixed deposit with the Tamil Nadu Power Finance and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited.

How the Money Grows

The beauty of this scheme lies in its long-term vision. The money isn’t handed over immediately; it grows with the child.

The Initial Deposit: ₹50,000 (for a single girl child).
Annual Incentives: Starting from the 6th year of the deposit, the child receives an annual incentive of ₹1,800 to help cover her educational expenses.
Maturity at 18: When the girl turns 18, she receives the original deposit plus the accumulated interest. This lump sum—often reaching several lakhs depending on interest rates—is intended to fund her higher education or professional training

More Than Money: The Social “Why”

To understand the weight of this ₹50,000, one must look at the history of the region. Tamil Nadu was a pioneer in tackling female infanticide and feticide. In the early 90s, the state introduced the Cradle Baby Scheme and the Girl Child Protection Scheme to give parents a reason to celebrate their daughters.

By providing financial security, the government addresses the root cause of gender bias: the fear of economic hardship. This scheme acts as a social contract that mandates three critical behaviors:

Education: To receive the maturity amount, the girl must appear for her 10th-grade public examinations. This ensures she stays in school through her most formative years.
Delayed Marriage: The funds are only accessible once the girl reaches 18, effectively discouraging child marriage.
Family Planning: To be eligible, one of the parents must have undergone sterilization before the age of 40, promoting the “small family” norm that allows for better resource allocation for the child.

Who is Eligible? (The Fine Print)

While the scheme is a gift, it is targeted at those who need it most. As of 2026, the criteria remain focused on the economically marginalized:

Criteria	Requirement
Income Limit	The family’s annual income must not exceed ₹72,000 (though some districts have seen updates up to ₹1,20,000—always check with your local E-Sevai center).
Family Structure	The family must have no male children and must not adopt a male child in the future.
Residency	The parents or grandparents must be residents of Tamil Nadu for at least 10 years
Age of Application	For Scheme-I, the application must be submitted before the child reaches 3 years of age. For Scheme-II, before the second child reaches 3.

Navigating the Process: How to Apply

In the digital age, applying for the scheme has become significantly easier through the Tamil Nadu e-Sevai portal.

Documentation: Gather the Essentials:
- Birth Certificate of the girl child.
- Income Certificate from the Tahsildar.
- Sterilization Certificate (issued by a Government Hospital or approved private hospital).
- “No Male Child” Certificate.
- Aadhaar Cards of parents and the child.
The e-Sevai Route: Visit your nearest Common Service Center (CSC). The staff will assist with biometric verification and scanning your documents.
Verification: The District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) reviews the application. Once approved, the FD is generated, and a copy is sent to the family.
The Wait: The FD is automatically renewed every five years by the government until the child reaches 18.

The Road Ahead: 2026 and Beyond

As we move through 2026, the Tamil Nadu government continues to refine these welfare measures. There is a growing conversation about increasing the deposit amount to match inflation and rising education costs. However, even at ₹50,000, the psychological impact remains profound.

It tells every girl in every remote village of the Western Ghats or the coastal stretches of Thoothukudi: “Your state values you. Your education is a priority. Your future is secure.”

The Girl Child Protection Scheme is more than a budget line item. It is a testament to the fact that when a government invests in a girl, it isn’t just helping an individual—it is empowering a generation, stabilizing a family, and ensuring the progress of the entire state.