The Jammu and Kashmir Government has announced a major relaxation in the eligibility criteria under the Marriage Assistance Scheme for economically weaker girls, extending support to a larger number of beneficiaries across the Union Territory.

Qualification Requirement Relaxed Till March 31, 2028

According to a new order issued by the Social Welfare Department, the earlier requirement mandating applicants to have passed Class 8 or equivalent has been relaxed until March 31, 2028.

This decision—approved by the Council of Ministers and concurred by the Finance Department—amends the 2022 order, ensuring that deserving applicants who were previously ineligible due to the educational criteria can now benefit from the scheme.

Officials confirmed that this change will be effective from April 1, 2025, allowing thousands of underprivileged girls across Jammu and Kashmir to avail assistance for their marriage under more inclusive norms.

In a significant upgrade to the State Marriage Assistance Scheme (SMAS), the government has increased the one-time financial grant from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000 in April 2025. This benefit will be available to eligible girls belonging to families holding Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) ration cards, reflecting the administration’s continued commitment to social welfare and women’s empowerment.

The revised scheme aims to provide financial security, dignity, and empowerment to poor and marginalized women at one of the most crucial stages of their lives. By increasing the grant amount and easing the qualification criteria, the government seeks to ensure that no eligible beneficiary is left behind due to bureaucratic hurdles.

Empowering Underprivileged Women in Jammu and Kashmir

The Marriage Assistance Scheme has been a cornerstone initiative of the Jammu and Kashmir Government, designed to support families struggling with the financial burden of marriage expenses. With these new reforms, the administration aims to uplift underprivileged sections of society, promote social equity, and reinforce gender-inclusive development in the region.

How To avail the scheme Marriage Assistance Scheme in Jammu & Kashmir, the girl should be

• Above 18 years of age
• Girls belonging to families holding Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) ration cards/Identified as poor in the survey list by the concerned District Development Commissioners and District Social Welfare Officers.

Timelines have been set for the relevant authorities to dispose of cases under the scheme. The deadlines are:

• 3 working days for the District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO)
• 6 working days for the sanctioning authority (Deputy Commissioner)
• 5 working days for the Director, Finance, Social Welfare Department

Officials from the Social Welfare Department emphasized that this step aligns with the government’s broader objective to bring about inclusive growth and social justice through targeted welfare programs.