NEW DELHI, Feb. 1 -- As part of the Union Budget for 2026-27, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 1 February announced plans to establish hostels for girls in every district across India, aiming to promote girls' education as a driver of economic growth.

The scheme aims to tackle one of the biggest barriers to female participation in higher education, lack of safe and affordable accommodation, by providing residential facilities near colleges and universities, especially in smaller towns and rural areas.

The programme seeks to reduce dropout rates after Class XII, improve enrolment in higher education and skilling institutions, and enable greater participation of women in the workforce over the medium term. Millions of girls currentl...