The Kerala government has officially launched the Sthree Suraksha Scheme, a new initiative designed to provide financial assistance to unemployed women in the state. Applications for the scheme opened on December 22, 2025. Under this scheme, eligible women will receive a monthly pension of ₹1,000.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Sthree Suraksha Scheme, applicants must meet specific criteria:

• Age and Residency: Applicants must be women or trans women between the ages of 35 and 60 and must be permanent residents of Kerala.
• Welfare Scheme Enrollment: Applicants should not be enrolled in any other welfare schemes, such as pensions for widows, single women, or disabled persons. Those who already receive widow, unmarried women, disability, service, family or EPF pensions are not eligible for this scheme.
• Ration Card: Only those holding Antyodaya Anna Yojana (Yellow Card) or Priority Household (Pink Card) are eligible. Even if ration cards are reclassified as blue or white, one will not be eligible for the pension.
• Employment: Applicants must not be employed in central or state government services.

Required Documents

Applicants need to provide several documents to verify their eligibility for the Sthree Suraksha Scheme:

• Residence Certificate: A document to prove permanent residency in Kerala.
• Age Proof: This can be a birth certificate, school certificate, driving license, or passport. If these are unavailable, a medical certificate from a doctor can be provided.
• Aadhaar Card: Providing Aadhaar details is mandatory.
• Bank Account Details: Applicants must provide their bank account number and IFSC code.
• Ration Card: A valid Antyodaya Anna Yojana (Yellow Card) or Priority Household (Pink Card) must be submitted.
• Self-Attested Declaration: A self-attested declaration confirming eligibility is also required.

How to Apply

To apply for the Sthree Suraksha Scheme, eligible women can submit their filled application to the secretary of the local self-government institution (Panchayat/Municipality/Corporation) through the website ksmart.lsgkerala.gov.in. The secretary will then verify the application and send the list of selected beneficiaries to the Kerala Social Security Pension Company. The applications will be accepted via the KSMART portal. The amount will be credited directly to the beneficiary's bank account through the Kerala Social Security Pension Company, following verification by local authorities.

The Sthree Suraksha Scheme was initially announced before the local body elections but faced delays due to the Model Code of Conduct. The Principal Director of the Local Self-Government Department announced last month that applications would be accepted starting December 22.

The Kerala government has allocated ₹3,800 crore annually for this scheme. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that nearly 31.34 lakh women will benefit from this scheme. The Sthree Suraksha Scheme is expected to have a profound impact on the lives of women in Kerala, granting them a sense of financial independence to invest in their health, education, and overall well-being. The introduction of the Sthree Suraksha Scheme marks a significant step towards improving the socio-economic status of women in Kerala and could serve as a model for similar initiatives across India.