Ladli Behna Yojana: A Unique Festival Bonus
Picture this: Over a crore women waking up to an unexpected festival “shagun” in their bank accounts this August. That’s exactly what happened when Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav delivered the 27th installment of the Ladli Behna Yojana on August 7, 2025. What set this round apart was the Raksha Bandhan twist. Besides the usual Rs 1,250 monthly aid, recipients got an extra Rs 250 as a festive gesture, taking the total to Rs 1,500 for each of the 1.27 crore women covered by the scheme.
The Chief Minister called this transfer a symbol of the enduring bond between brothers and sisters. But this isn’t just symbolism. For countless women living in rural and small-town Madhya Pradesh, every rupee matters. Adding a festive touch to a government payout may sound small, but for women managing household expenses or emergencies, this extra cash can make Raksha Bandhan more meaningful.
From Welfare Scheme to National Inspiration
The Ladli Behna Yojana started in 2023 under then Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Its goal is simple but powerful—give direct, unconditional financial support to married, widowed, and divorced women from struggling families. Unlike older government aid schemes that often got tangled in red tape, Ladli Behna uses direct benefit transfer (DBT) technology, pushing funds straight into women’s bank accounts. There’s no middleman or paperwork hassle.
This approach has paid off. Over time, more women now handle their own savings, health expenses, or children’s education bills. The program avoids a one-size-fits-all track. While 1,250 rupees is the base amount, the government steps up support on special occasions. This August’s Raksha Bandhan bonus was just one example. There’s already an announcement in the pipeline: after Diwali, the regular payout will rise to Rs 1,500 per month, reflecting the government’s push to keep pace with rising costs and growing needs.
The scheme’s ripple effect is clear—other states are now borrowing ideas to launch similar projects for their own women citizens. Where earlier, cash-for-women schemes existed mostly on paper, Madhya Pradesh’s Ladli Behna has brought real and regular support. As stories spread of women gaining more control over household decisions or affording better health care, Ladli Behna has quietly set a new benchmark for women empowerment policies.
- 1.27 crore women received a total of Rs 1,500 in August 2025, thanks to a Raksha Bandhan bonus.
- The monthly benefit is sent directly to beneficiaries, skipping any bureaucratic hurdles.
- Next upgrade: a hike to Rs 1,500 will become regular support after Diwali, not just festive extras.
- The scheme is expanding its influence as other Indian states craft copycat programs.
Madhya Pradesh’s Ladli Behna isn’t just another welfare scheme—it’s turning into a model for what impactful government support can look like if it’s consistent, direct, and thoughtful about the realities of women’s lives.
