The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has approved the Rani Lakshmibai Scooty Yojana to promote higher education among women across the state. Under the initiative, the government will distribute free petrol-powered scooters to top-performing female undergraduate students, targeting approximately 50,000 beneficiaries in its inaugural phase.
Announcing the decision, Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay clarified that the scheme applies to the top 5 percent of undergraduate female students passing during the 2025–26 academic session across state, private, affiliated, aided, and self-financed higher education institutions. Eligible applicants must possess a valid driving license and belong to families with an annual income not exceeding ₹12 lakh. However, daughters of martyrs, students with disabilities, and individuals from destitute households will qualify without meeting the merit threshold.
The state government will fund complete registration fees, insurance coverage, a helmet, essential accessories, and five liters of petrol for each beneficiary. Addressing the choice of petrol-powered models over electric variants, Upadhyay cited the wider prevalence of refueling stations and servicing infrastructure throughout the state, with procurement conducted via a dedicated online portal.
