UP Government Increases Girl Marriage Grant to ₹1 Lakh, A Major Pre-Election Move

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has announced a significant hike in the financial grant provided for girls’ marriages. Seen as a strategic move ahead of the 2027 state elections, this step aims to provide substantial relief to economically weaker families.

Increase in Grant Amount
Under the Chief Minister’s Mass Marriage Scheme, previously, families received a grant of ₹51,000 for their daughters’ weddings. The 2026-27 state budget, presented in the UP Assembly by Finance Minister Suresh Khanna, has raised this amount to ₹1 lakh. A total allocation of ₹750 crore has been made to support this scheme.

Focus on Economically Weaker Families
The scheme primarily targets underprivileged families, for whom arranging a daughter’s marriage can be a financial burden. The increased grant is expected to ease this pressure and provide meaningful support. Analysts see this move as an attempt by the government to engage voters across social and economic segments ahead of the upcoming elections.

Women-Centric Budget Initiatives
The 2026-27 budget emphasizes women and girls, with other provisions including a ₹400 crore allocation for the scooter scheme aimed at empowering young women. Finance Minister Khanna noted that the per capita income for 2025-26 is estimated at ₹1,20,000. The government claims to have lifted approximately six million people above multidimensional poverty, with the unemployment rate maintained at 2.24%.