Sthree Suraksha Scheme: What Is It And Will The Kerala Government Continue It?

The Sthree Suraksha Scheme in Keralam is a social security scheme, launched by the previous state government in February 2026, before the Assembly election. The scheme provides a monthly financial support of Rs 1,000 to economically vulnerable unemployed women and transgender people across the state. The scheme is aimed at ensuring the financial security of financially vulnerable women and promoting inclusive development by including homemakers who are not covered under any other welfare pension scheme.

Sthree Suraksha Scheme

The scheme was formally launched shortly before the Assembly election in February this year in Keralam. However, the online registration facility under the scheme was activated on the state’s KSMART portal in December 2025. Under the scheme, the eligible beneficiaries are provided with direct financial support of Rs 1,000 per month, which is directly transferred to their bank account via the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism.

Who Are Eligible For The Scheme?

To be eligible for the scheme, the applicant should be:

• A permanent resident of Keralam, aged between 35 and 60.

• The applicant must be an unemployed woman or transgender woman, including homemakers.

• They should belong to households categorised under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (Yellow Card) or Priority Household (Pink Card).

• Applicants must not receive any other welfare pension or be covered under any scheme providing financial assistance from state or central government schemes.

One can submit the application through the government’s KSMART portal or via local self-government institutions, such as Panchayats, Municipalities, and Corporations.

Will Keralam Government Continue The Scheme?

As the scheme was introduced in the previous government’s regime, there is a question of whether the current government will continue with it or not. In a recent assembly discussion, Communist Party of India (CPI) leader G. R. Anil noted that the scheme benefited 16 lakh women. They have received the monthly payment in the first two months.  

The present United Democratic Front (UDF) coalition government is considering the future continuation of the scheme. When CPI leaders Anil and P. Prasad raised questions about the scheme’s continuation, the Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan stated that the government is examining the scheme following various complaints regarding beneficiaries’ selection.

The CM assured the House that a final decision will be announced when the review is complete. He also highlighted that the current government has not discontinued any welfare scheme, and has instead cleared unpaid arrears inherited from the previous administration of the LDF. He pointed to the existing continuing initiatives for women, such as the Priyadarshini scheme, which provides free travel for women on the KSRTC buses, and the wage increase for ASHA workers, Aanganwadi workers, and the mid-day meal cooks.