From Access to Continuity: Effectiveness of the Kanyashree Scholarship in Reducing Girls’ Dropout in West Bengal

Abstract

This paper examines the effectiveness of the Kanyashree Program, West Bengal’s flagship conditional cash transfer (CCT) scheme, in reducing school dropout among adolescent girls between 2017 and 2025. Drawing on district-level data, the study evaluates program through different parameters, including retention, renewal, and consistency. The findings reveal contrasting patterns. While K2 scholarships (higher-level continuation scholarships) show relatively stable or positive growth, K1 scholarships (initial entry-level) record a steady decline since 2020–21, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic and systemic disruptions in school enrolments. Retention and renewal indices point to both consolidation and fragility, as many districts maintain high continuation rates while others face persistent dropout pressures. Temporal consistency (0.85) reflects sustained program stability over several years, yet the sharp fall in the Retention Index to 65.46 in 2024–25 signals renewed stress. Spatial consistency has improved modestly, from 89.02 in 2021–22 to 91.08 in 2024–25, suggesting a narrowing of inter-district disparities. However, the simultaneous rise in spatial consistency alongside declining overall retention highlights systemic stressors that cut across districts. The analysis underscores both the achievements and limitations of Kanyashree as it has contributed significantly to delaying marriage and sustaining female education; however, the program's long-term sustainability remains vulnerable to structural and systemic pressures.