Mukhyamantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana; guidelines and eligibility explained

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government formally launched the Mukhyamantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana on February 3 to promote social reform and support marriages among economically weaker sections of society.

The scheme has been designed to curb child marriage, discourage the practice of dowry, and promote widow remarriage across the state. Under the initiative, each eligible couple will receive financial assistance of Rs 51,000 from the state government.

Of the total amount, ₹35,000 will be directly transferred to the bride’s bank account after registration of the marriage. An additional Rs 10,000 will be provided in the form of wedding essentials, including sarees, ornaments, and household items. The remaining ₹6,000 will be utilised for wedding-related arrangements, such as food, decorations, and other logistical expenses.

Eligibility Criteria

As per the official guidelines, both the bride and groom must be permanent residents of Odisha to avail benefits under theMukhyamantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana.

Under the age criteria, the bride must be between 18 and 35 years, while the groom must be between 21 and 35 years at the time of marriage.

The scheme primarily covers couples getting married for the first time. However, widows seeking remarriage are also eligible for coverage under the scheme.

The guidelines specify that only one eligible woman per family can be covered under the scheme. In addition, neither the bride nor the groom, nor their respective families, should have received marriage-related financial assistance from any State or Central government scheme earlier.

All marriages under the Mukhyamantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana will be conducted as community or mass marriage ceremonies, ensuring transparency, simplicity, and reduced financial burden on families.

The scheme will give priority to girls from low-income families, widows, and beneficiaries belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG).

Officials said the Mukhyamantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana will be implemented across Odisha for a period of five years, from 2025–26 to 2029–30, as part of the government’s broader commitment to women’s welfare, social equity, and inclusive development.