Odisha to extend Subhadra Yojana aid to 4.57 lakh more women

The Odisha government will extend financial assistance to over 4.57 lakh additional women beneficiaries under the Subhadra Yojana within the next week, a senior official said on Friday.

The decision was taken at a review meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida in Bhubaneswar on Thursday. As many as 4,57,681 women are set to receive the benefit, including 1,78,398 newly eligible beneficiaries who recently attained the age of 21 years.

Parida said the fourth instalment of the scheme would be disbursed on March 8 , coinciding with International Women’s Day.

Subhadra Yojana, a flagship welfare initiative of the BJP-led Odisha government, provides direct financial assistance to women aged between 21 and 60 years. The scheme offers a total benefit of ₹50,000 per beneficiary over five years as a non-repayable grant, aimed at supporting women’s financial security and empowerment.

Each beneficiary is entitled to ₹10,000 annually, released in two equal installments of ₹5,000 each. The first instalment is credited on Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi Purnima), while the second is released on International Women’s Day every year.

Officials said the expansion reflects the government’s continued focus on women’s economic empowerment and social security.