Rs 51,000 for brides: Odisha rolls out Mukhyamantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana; check eligibility details

The Government of Odisha on Friday introduced the Mukhyamantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana (MKBY), a flagship initiative aimed at reducing the financial burden of marriage on economically disadvantaged families while promoting dignified, lawful, and socially responsible matrimonial practices across the State.

The scheme, operational from 2025-26 to 2029-30, seeks to support young women, encourage widow remarriage, prevent child marriages, and discourage the practice of dowry. It is also designed to promote timely registration of marriages under the Odisha Marriage Rules.

Under the scheme, each eligible bride will receive a total assistance of Rs 51,000. Of this, Rs 35,000 will be transferred directly to the beneficiary’s bank account through the DBT system, ensuring transparency and eliminating intermediaries.

Additionally, the government will provide wedding gift items worth Rs 10,000, including a bridal saree, jewellery accessories such as bindi and bangles, traditional anklets (paunji), toe rings (jhuntia), utensils, and other essentials. These items will be procured through Utkalika under the Handloom, Textiles, and Handicrafts Department.

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To further ease the financial pressure on families, the scheme will support the organisation of group marriages with the help of NGOs, community-based organisations, trusts, and other accredited agencies. These agencies will also receive Rs 6,000 per bride for event management, including decoration, refreshment,s and logistical arrangements.

Eligibility and Coverage

The scheme is open to couples where both the bride and groom are permanent residents of Odisha. The age norms require the bride to be 18–35 years and the groom 21–35 years. While the scheme primarily covers first-time marriages, it also gives priority to widow remarriage. Only one eligible woman per family will be covered, and beneficiaries must not have availed marriage assistance under any other state or central scheme.

Priority groups include widows, persons with disabilities (PwDs), members of PVTGs, SC & ST communities, and low-income households.

Applicants are required to submit Aadhaar cards of both partners and the bride’s single-holder bank account details. Depending on the category, additional documents such as a death certificate, disability certificate, caste certificate, or income certificate may be required.

Promoting Social Cohesion and Legal Practices

The government aims to foster a culture of simple, dignified, and lawful marriages. By encouraging marriage registration, discouraging dowry, and supporting the vulnerable, the scheme is expected to reduce financial vulnerability and strengthen social equity across Odisha.

Officials said regular monitoring and social audits will ensure transparency, proper fund utilisation, and effective implementation of the scheme statewide.