Sanitary Napkin Scheme

The government of Uttarakhand, through the Department of Women Empowerment and Child Development, has launched a revolutionary new proposal for combating period poverty and promoting menstrual hygiene — the Sanitary Napkin Scheme 2025. With this scheme, adolescent girls and women across the state of Uttarakhand will be able to obtain quality sanitary napkins at a subsidized price of ₹6 per packet at Anganwadi Centres, with no documents required.

This scheme provides a way to enhance menstrual health while countering the social stigma associated with menstruation that keeps girls out of school, and prevents women from working with dignity.

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🎯 Objective of the Scheme

The core aim of the Uttarakhand Sanitary Napkin Scheme is to:

• Promote menstrual hygiene awareness

• Ensure easy access to affordable sanitary pads

• Reduce school and work absenteeism during menstruation

• Eliminate the stigma surrounding periods

• Empower adolescent girls and women to lead a healthy, hygienic, and confident life

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📌 Key Highlights of Sanitary Napkin Scheme 2025

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✅ Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the scheme:

• The applicant must be a female (girl or woman)

• The applicant must be a permanent resident of Uttarakhand

There are no income or age limits and no paperwork required to avail the benefits.

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💸 Benefits of the Scheme

• Sanitary napkins available at ₹6 per pack (subsidized rate)

• Available at Anganwadi Centres – no need to visit hospitals or city markets

• No documentation required

• Zero stigma, maximum access – helps girls attend school regularly and promotes workplace participation for women

• Improves overall reproductive health and hygiene awareness

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📝 How to Avail the Benefits – Application Process (Offline Only)

1. Visit your nearest Anganwadi Centre in Uttarakhand

2. Ask for subsidized sanitary napkins under the scheme

3. Purchase at ₹6 per pack – no application form or paperwork needed

✅ Note: The scheme is available offline only. There is currently no online application process.

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🔄 Procurement & Distribution Framework (As per Government Guidelines)

• Procurement is handled at the state level through competitive bidding

• Napkins are distributed via Anganwadi Centres, ASHAs, and schools

• Each pack of 6 napkins is sold at ₹6

• ASHAs receive ₹1 incentive per pack sold and one free pack per month

• Monthly adolescent health meetings are organized by ASHAs with an incentive of ₹50

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📚 National Menstrual Hygiene Guidelines

As per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare under NHM:

• Initial implementation was in 112 districts across 17 states

• Napkins under the Freedays brand were introduced

• States can propose PIP (Program Implementation Plan) budgets to scale the program

• Subsidy structure:

  • ₹12 per pack (6 napkins) funded in the first year

  • ₹8 per pack in subsequent years (remaining ₹4 from state funds or sale proceeds)

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the cost of sanitary napkins under this scheme?
A: ₹6 for a pack of six napkins.

Q2: Where can I get these subsidized sanitary pads?
A: At your nearest Anganwadi Centre.

Q3: Are there any documents required?
A: No documents are required.

Q4: Can I apply online for this scheme?
A: No. The scheme is offline-only.

Q5: Is there any age restriction?
A: No, all girls and women can benefit from the scheme.

Q6: What’s the objective of this scheme?
A: To promote menstrual hygiene and awareness by making sanitary products affordable and accessible.

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📞 Contact Information

• Phone Numbers: Notified through local Anganwadi Centres

• State Nodal Department: Department of Women Empowerment and Child Development, Uttarakhand

• Email ID: (Use local authority contact via Anganwadi Centre)