The purpose of this initiative is to uplift girls who are from poor families and are unable pursue higher studies due to tough economic conditions.
The scheme has two components: The annual scholarship is for unmarried girls aged 13–18 years enrolled in class VIII-XII in government recognized regular or equivalent open school or vocational / technical training courses.
Recently the bar of income was withdrawn by the government of West Bengal; now every girl can apply for that scheme.
Kanyashree Prakalpa has been designed to ensure that girls stay in school and delay their marriages until at least the age of 18.
Earlier in January 2019, the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee laid the foundation stone of new Kanyashree University at Krishnagar in Nadia district.