The Rani Lakshmibai Scooty Yojana aims to distribute free scooters to approximately 30,000 meritorious girl students in Uttar Pradesh, commencing next month. This initiative is part of the state government’s efforts to empower women ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. Initially, the plan included 50,000 beneficiaries, but this number has been reduced to focus on the top 5 per cent of female students from each university and college, as confirmed by officials.

The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved the scheme on July 21, with the intention of supporting female students pursuing undergraduate courses. According to higher education minister Yogendra Upadhyay, only native residents of Uttar Pradesh will qualify for the benefits. The government has instructed a selected two-wheeler company to prepare for distribution, which is anticipated to begin after November 25.

This scheme was a significant promise made by the Bharatiya Janata Party during the 2022 Assembly elections, highlighting the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment in the state.

Procurement Process and Costs

The higher education department has confirmed that two major two-wheeler companies participated in the bidding process for the scooters. This process was conducted in two phases: the first phase focused on technical specifications, while the second phase evaluated financial bids. Each scooter is estimated to cost around ₹67,000, which includes registration, five years of insurance, accessories, a helmet, and five litres of petrol, as stated by Monika Singh, the director of higher education in Prayagraj.

The department is currently finalising the list of eligible beneficiaries. Reports indicate that Ambedkar Nagar district is expected to have the highest number of beneficiaries among all districts in Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, officials have established a provision to adjust the number of scooters by up to 25 per cent based on changes in the eligibility of students. Further revisions beyond this limit may also be made if necessary.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted the importance of the scheme during the International Women’s Day celebrations on March 8, underscoring the need for timely distribution of scooters to deserving girl students.

Budget and Committees Formed

The state government allocated ₹400 crore for the Rani Lakshmibai Scooty Yojana in the Budget presented on February 20, 2025. This financial commitment indicates the government’s prioritisation of women’s empowerment initiatives within the state. To ensure the effective implementation of the scheme, two separate committees were established on March 11, 2025. These committees are tasked with finalising the eligibility criteria, selection process, and technical specifications for the scooters.

Despite the initial enthusiasm surrounding the initiative, progress has reportedly been slow over the past year. The government aims to expedite the implementation process to ensure that the scooters are distributed to the eligible students as planned.

As the launch date approaches, stakeholders are keenly observing the developments related to the Rani Lakshmibai Scooty Yojana. The initiative is anticipated to play a crucial role in enhancing the mobility and educational opportunities for meritorious girl students in Uttar Pradesh.

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