Arundhati Gold Scheme Assam 2025: Complete Guide to Benefits, Eligibility, and Application Status

The Arundhati Gold Scheme is one of Assam’s most well-known welfare initiatives. Launched by the Government of Assam, it was created with a clear purpose: to support brides from financially weaker families by helping them purchase gold at the time of their marriage.

For centuries, gifting gold to brides has been a part of Assamese culture. It isn’t just ornamental it symbolizes security and dignity. But with rising prices, many families struggle to uphold this tradition. That’s where the scheme stepped in, turning a cultural practice into a welfare measure.

Even though the window for new applications closed on April 1, 2023, the scheme continues to matter for those who had applied earlier and for anyone trying to understand Assam’s social welfare landscape. If you’re looking for a detailed breakdown purpose, eligibility, historical application process, beneficiary updates, and how to check your application status you’ll find everything here.

What is the Arundhati Gold Scheme?

The Arundhati Gold Scheme was introduced to empower brides and reduce the financial pressure on their families. Instead of physically giving gold, the government transfers a one-time financial grant of Rs. 40,000 directly to the bride’s bank account.

This money can then be used to purchase gold of her choice. The approach makes sense it gives freedom, ensures transparency, and avoids the logistical challenges of distributing physical gold.

The scheme also had a larger social goal: to promote legal marriage registration. To be eligible, couples had to register their marriage under the Special Marriage (Assam) Rules, 1954. This one condition made a big difference. It discouraged child marriages, encouraged education, and helped the state maintain better records of marriages.

Key Features of the Arundhati Gold Scheme

To understand why the scheme became so impactful, let’s look at its core features:

• Financial Assistance: Rs. 40,000 transferred directly to the bride’s bank account.
• Promotes Legal Marriage: Mandatory marriage registration under state rules.
• Encourages Education: Both bride and groom needed a minimum educational qualification.
• Targets Genuine Beneficiaries: Strict income and first-marriage conditions ensured only deserving families benefited.
• Supports Tradition: Respected Assamese culture of gifting gold while reducing financial stress on families.

Eligibility Criteria

The government designed very specific eligibility conditions so the scheme reached the right people.

Residency

• Both bride and groom had to be permanent residents of Assam.

Age

• Bride: 18 years or above
• Groom: 21 years or above

Education

• Both had to pass at least HSLC (High School Leaving Certificate) or an equivalent exam.
• Exception: For tea-tribe and Adivasi communities, no minimum qualification was required for the first five years of the scheme.

Income

• The annual income of the bride’s parents from all sources had to be below Rs. 5 lakh.

Marriage Status

• Applicable only for the first marriage of the bride.

Registration

• Marriage had to be registered under the Special Marriage (Assam) Rules, 1954.
• Application for the scheme had to be submitted on the same day as marriage registration.

Application Process Arundhati Gold Scheme

Although applications are now closed, it helps to understand how the process worked. This is especially useful for those who had applied earlier and may need to revisit the requirements.

The application process was two-step:

1. Online Form
   • Brides had to register at the official portal https://arundhati.nic.in/.
   • The form required personal details, bank account information, and marriage-related data.
2. Physical Submission
   • After filling out the online form, applicants had to print it.
   • Along with required documents, it had to be submitted at the office of the Marriage Registration Officer.
   • Importantly, this submission had to happen on the same day as marriage registration.

Documents Required

Applicants had to attach these documents:

• Proof of age (HSLC certificate, birth certificate, or equivalent).
• Attested copy of marriage certificate.
• Income certificate of bride’s parents (issued by Circle Officer).
• Copy of bride’s bank passbook.
• Certificate confirming it was the first marriage, issued by Gaonburah or Mouzdar.
• Aadhaar cards of both bride and groom.

Arundhati Gold Scheme Application Status Check

For those who applied before the deadline, tracking the status of their application is critical.

Here’s how it works:

1. Visit the official website: https://arundhati.nic.in/
2. Look for the “Check Status” option.
3. Enter your application number received during online submission.
4. The system will display whether your application is accepted, under process, or rejected.

Notifications

Applicants also receive updates via SMS and email on the contact details provided in the application.

Bank Transfer

If approved, the grant is transferred via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) straight into the bride’s bank account. Monitoring your account is the surest way to confirm receipt.

Beneficiary List

Unlike some schemes, the Arundhati Gold Scheme does not publish a public beneficiary list. Each applicant can only view the status of their own application using their personal details.

This system ensures privacy and security of beneficiaries, which is important given the sensitive financial and personal information involved.

Arundhati Gold Scheme Updates in 2025

The most important update is that new applications are no longer being accepted. The application portal officially closed on April 1, 2023.

• Ongoing processing: The government continues to process pending applications.
• Grant amount: Rs. 40,000 per eligible bride.
• Disbursement mode: Direct transfer into the bride’s bank account.

So, if you’re planning a wedding now, unfortunately you cannot apply for this scheme. But for those who had already applied, the system is still active for processing and status checks.

Helpline and Support

For pending applicants, the government provided official contact channels:

• Helpline Number: 0361-2452854
• Email: dlrs-igr@assam.gov.in

These are meant only for existing applicants, not for new queries since applications are closed.

Why the Scheme Matters

Beyond financial assistance, the Arundhati Gold Scheme tackled deeper social issues:

1. Reduced Child Marriage: By enforcing legal marriage age and registration.
2. Encouraged Education: Since minimum educational qualifications were mandatory.
3. Promoted Gender Equality: By supporting brides financially, it improved their social standing.
4. Cultural Respect with Modern Implementation: Preserved Assamese tradition while providing practical, cash-based support.

Conclusion

The Arundhati Gold Scheme stands out as more than just a welfare project. It bridged culture, social reform, and economic support in one package.

By helping brides purchase gold, it relieved financial stress on families. By linking it with marriage registration, it reduced child marriage and strengthened legal protections. By setting educational requirements, it encouraged young people to complete basic schooling before marriage.

Even though the scheme is closed for new applications, its impact is still felt across Assam. Families who received the benefit know the difference it made, and pending applicants continue to rely on it.

For anyone who applied earlier, the official portal and helpline remain your go-to resources for updates. For everyone else, the scheme remains an important case study of how welfare programs can be designed to align tradition with progress.

F.A.Q.

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