How KGBV are empowering rural girls: Alumnae share success stories

Lucknow: Kanchan, an alumnus of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya in Aligarh, never imagined that a small village school would become the stepping stone to her dreams. Growing up in one of the most backward regions of Uttar Pradesh, she had limited opportunities and even more limited hope.

But everything changed when she enrolled in KGBV. “Those walls witnessed my transformation,” recalled Kanchan, who is now with UP Police.

After passing Class 8 in 2010, Kanchan continued her education without interruption.

In March 2023, she joined as a sub-inspector in Saharanpur district, a moment that marked both her personal triumph and a vindication of govt efforts to empower girls from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Not only Kanchan, but the success of two more former girls from KGBV — Yamini Verma and Munisha Yadav — has become a beacon of hope for girls growing up in villages.

Enrolled in Class 6 in 2012, Yamini never gave up on her goals despite facing hardships. With consistent hard work and self-confidence, she cleared the competitive examination in her very first attempt and was appointed as a constable in Etawah district on June 18, 2025, bringing pride to her family, village and school.

“KGBV not only gave me education but also built confidence,” Verma said.

Munisha, who was enrolled in Class 6 in 2008, was dedicated not only to academics but also to co-curricular activities. Her hard work paid off when she joined as a constable in Amroha in 2018.

“KGBV taught me the courage to dream big,” Yadav said.

The KGBV initiative by the govt has emerged as a lifeline for thousands of girls in rural UP, said a govt spokesperson. These residential schools provide free education to girls from SC, ST, OBC and below-poverty-line families, ensuring they have access to quality schooling that might otherwise remain out of reach.