Delhi to Distribute Free Bicycles to 1.3 Lakh Class IX Girls Starting from Shalimar Bagh
The Delhi government is set to launch its free bicycle scheme by the end of July, starting with government schools in the Shalimar Bagh constituency before expanding across the national capital. Led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the initiative will distribute free bicycles to approximately 1.3 lakh Class IX girl students in Delhi government schools to improve connectivity and reduce school dropout rates.
The scheme was initially announced as a major highlight of the 2026-27 Delhi Budget, with the government allocating Rs 90 crore for its implementation. Once the scheme is fully rolled out, girl students entering Class IX will be eligible to receive these benefits every academic year.
According to senior officials, the procurement process for the bicycles began about two months ago at the start of the new academic year. Batches of cycles have already started arriving. While the initial plan was to distribute the bicycles immediately after the summer vacation, the distribution work has now commenced following the reopening of schools.
Chief Minister Gupta has directed officials to compile a detailed list of schools and eligible students. The government is also planning a formal launch event, with the official date expected to be announced shortly.
During the presentation of the Delhi Budget in March, Gupta stated that transportation often poses a significant challenge for girls studying in government schools, sometimes leading them to drop out. She noted that the initiative aims to empower girl students and help them become independent. Through this scheme, the students will not have to depend on others to drop them off or pick them up from school.
Officials added that alongside the distribution of bicycles, the government will upgrade road infrastructure to ensure the safety of the students. The initiative is also designed to promote clean mobility and raise awareness about how cycling can help curb air pollution in Delhi.
Similar bicycle distribution schemes are currently being implemented in other states, including Bihar and Tamil Nadu. Earlier in April, Chief Minister Gupta distributed bicycles to 1,000 girls in Shalimar Bagh through a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative.
