Uttar Pradesh must be among the first states to have welfare scheme for women affected by ‘triple talaq’. It was introduced to provide immediate financial, legal and social support to women who were left vulnerable after facing instant triple talaq or abandonment by their husbands. The initiative was announced by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in September 2019, following the enactment of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019, which made instant triple talaq void and illegal.
Financial assistance
Under the initiative, eligible women affected by triple talaq were made entitled to receive Rs 6,000 per year as financial assistance. The support was envisaged to continue until the woman was rehabilitated and received justice. The assistance was intended to provide some immediate economic security to women who had suddenly been deprived of marital support.
Free legal assistance
The initiative also provides for free legal aid, enabling affected women to pursue their legal rights without the financial burden of litigation. This is particularly important for women seeking maintenance, protection, custody-related relief or other remedies under applicable law.
Rehabilitation and social security
The government’s approach goes beyond monetary assistance. The original rehabilitation framework envisaged support in areas such as housing, children’s education, scholarships, employment opportunities according to qualifications and healthcare coverage.
Housing and health support strengthened
In 2026, the Uttar Pradesh Government further moved to extend major welfare benefits to women affected by triple talaq. The Women Welfare Department began collecting verified data on such women so that eligible beneficiaries could be identified and provided benefits on a priority basis. The proposed support includes Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana, Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Yojana.Women affected by triple talaq who do not have permanent housing are therefore being identified for possible inclusion in appropriate housing schemes, while health coverage is being linked with existing government health programmes. The detailed guidelines and Government Order for the 2026 expansion were under preparation when the initiative was reported.
Beneficiaries
The assistance is intended for women in Uttar Pradesh who have suffered the consequences of triple talaq, with beneficiary identification and verification undertaken through the concerned government departments. The 2026 initiative specifically focuses on identifying verified beneficiaries so that eligible women can be connected with housing and healthcare schemes.
The four-pronged process to avail the benefits
Identification: Details of women affected by triple talaq are collected and verified.Immediate support: Eligible women can receive the announced financial assistance and legal support.Rehabilitation: Women are connected with appropriate government welfare and rehabilitation programmes.Long-term security: Housing, healthcare, education, livelihood and other social-security benefits are sought to be brought within their reach.The initiative represents a shift from merely providing legal protection to creating a broader social-security and rehabilitation framework for vulnerable women. The 2019 announcement focused on immediate financial and legal assistance, while the 2026 expansion places greater emphasis on connecting affected women with permanent housing and healthcare benefit.
