Balika Raksha is the scheme that gives free sanitary napkins to girls in Andhra Pradesh government schools. Earlier it was known as Sweccha, and it now runs under the name Balika Raksha. The napkins are given through the schools, so a girl student gets them where she studies — without her family having to apply anywhere or pay anything. This guide explains what Balika Raksha is, who it is for, how the napkins reach girls, and what to do if they do not reach your daughter.
For a girl in a government school, this is not a small thing. When napkins are not available at home, many girls miss school during their periods — and every missed day adds up. Balika Raksha exists so that a girl never has to choose between her health and her classes. It is a quiet scheme, but for the girls it serves, it is one of the most useful.
| Detail | Balika Raksha |
|---|---|
| Scheme | Balika Raksha (earlier Sweccha) |
| What it gives | Free sanitary napkins to girl students |
| Who gets it | Girls in AP government schools |
| How it reaches girls | Through their schools |
| Application | No separate application — given at the school |
| Where to ask | Your daughter’s school; the Education Department |
What Is Balika Raksha?
Balika Raksha is the Andhra Pradesh scheme that gives free sanitary napkins to girl students in government schools. The napkins are supplied to the school and given to the girls there — privately and without fuss — so that a girl has what she needs during her periods and does not have to stay home.
The scheme works because it goes through the school, the one place every girl student already visits daily. There is no form to fill, no office to visit and no money to pay. The school knows its girls, and the napkins reach them as part of the school day.
We could not verify how many napkins a student receives each month from the official sources we checked, so we do not state a number here. Your daughter’s school can confirm the current arrangement.
Balika Raksha: From Sweccha to the New Name
Parents may know this scheme by its earlier name, Sweccha. It now runs as Balika Raksha. The purpose is unchanged — free sanitary napkins for girl students in government schools — but the name has changed, as scheme names do when governments change.
If you hear the old name from a neighbour and the new name from the school, both refer to the same scheme. There is no separate Sweccha application, and no second set of napkins to claim. One scheme, one new name, one channel: the school.
Who Gets the Napkins Under Balika Raksha?
The napkins go to girl students of government schools in Andhra Pradesh who need them. The school decides, from its own enrolment record, which girls are covered — so enrolment in a government school is what counts.
There is no separate application for parents. A girl who is enrolled and attending gets the napkins through her school. If you are unsure whether your daughter is covered, ask the school — a teacher or the headmaster can confirm it.
How the Napkins Reach Girls: 5 Steps
- Enrolment. The girl is enrolled in a government school in Andhra Pradesh.
- School list. The school identifies the girl students who need napkins.
- Supply. The napkins are supplied to the school.
- Distribution. The school gives the napkins to the girls, privately.
- Check. If a girl is not getting them, a parent or the girl can ask a teacher or the headmaster.
The chain is short — school to student — and it keeps the scheme simple and private. A girl should never have to explain herself to an office or fill in a form for something this basic, and under Balika Raksha she does not have to.
Balika Raksha: What Parents and Girls Need to Do
Very little. There is no application, no certificate and no fee. The main thing is that the girl is enrolled in a government school and attending it — and that the family knows the napkins are available at the school, so a girl who needs them can ask for them.
If your daughter has recently joined a new school, make sure her enrolment has moved with her, so that she is on the right school’s list. And if she feels shy about asking, tell her that the napkins are hers by right — that is exactly what the scheme is for, and teachers are used to handling it quietly.
What If the Napkins Do Not Reach Your Daughter?
- Ask at the school first. Speak to a teacher or the headmaster. They can check whether the napkins have arrived and whether your daughter is on the list.
- Check the enrolment. A girl who joined mid-year, or whose enrolment record has a mistake, can be missed. Make sure the school’s record is correct.
- Do not pay anyone. The napkins are free. Nobody should ask you for money for them.
- Ask the Sachivalayam. If the school cannot help, your Grama/Ward Sachivalayam can point you to the right office — and you can raise a grievance on the GSWS NBM portal at gsws-nbm.ap.gov.in.
Balika Raksha and Other School Support
Balika Raksha is one part of the support that reaches children in AP government schools. Families should know about the rest:
- School kits. Free school kits every year under Vidya Mitra School Kits — earlier Vidya Kanuka, now the Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Vidya Mitra.
- Midday meals. Free hot meals in AP schools and junior colleges under the Dokka Seethamma Midday Meal scheme.
- Scholarships. Post-matric scholarships (RTF and MTF) for college students through Jnanabhumi scholarships — application on the Jnanabhumi portal at jnanabhumi.ap.gov.in.
- Talliki Vandanam. Financial support for mothers of school-going children. Check the Talliki Vandanam payment status guide if a payment is delayed.
- Certificates for scholarships. Scholarship applications usually need an income certificate in AP, issued through the Sachivalayam and MeeSeva.
Frequently Asked Questions About Balika Raksha
What is Balika Raksha?
Balika Raksha is the Andhra Pradesh scheme that gives free sanitary napkins to girl students in government schools, through the schools. It was earlier known as Sweccha.
How do I apply for Balika Raksha?
You do not apply separately. The napkins are given through the girl’s school, so enrolment in a government school is what counts. Ask the school if your daughter is covered.
Is Sweccha still running?
The scheme runs under its new name, Balika Raksha. Sweccha was the earlier name of the same scheme for free sanitary napkins for girl students.
How many napkins does a student get?
We could not verify how many napkins a student receives each month from the official sources we checked, so we do not state a number here. Your daughter’s school can confirm the current arrangement.
My daughter is not getting napkins — what should I do?
Ask a teacher or the headmaster first, check that the enrolment record is correct, and do not pay anyone for the napkins. If the school cannot help, ask at the Sachivalayam or raise a grievance on the GSWS NBM portal.
Balika Raksha keeps a girl in school on the days she might otherwise stay home — quietly, free and through her own school. Enrolment is the key, and the school is the first place to ask. For official updates, check the Andhra Pradesh government portal and your daughter’s school.
Last updated: November 2026