The Orunodoi 3.0 is the next stage of the Orunodoi Scheme that marks the efforts of Assam in empowering women, reducing poverty, and including them in the social process. The scheme was first announced as the 2020-21 Budget Speech of the Honourable Finance Minister, and is considered to be the most important bead of the Ashtadash Mukutar Unnoyonee Maala (18 flagship initiatives of Assam).
The Assam Government under Orunodoi 3.0 offers monthly financial support to the economically vulnerable women in the State on a sustained basis so as to maintain a stable minimum monthly income. This enables women to be self-sufficient through meeting basic household needs thereby raising their standard of living and financial autonomy.
Through this new phase, the government is planning to change operation levels, give it an ease of verification and guarantee the beneficiaries the Aadhaar-based transparency. The beneficiaries of the past phases (Orunodoi 1.0 and 2.0) will receive the assistance on the condition that they fulfill the changed eligibility norms.
Key Feature: NFSA-Linked Eligibility
To become a beneficiary in Orunodoi 3.0, the applicant has to be registered in the National Food Security Act (NFSA). Household, family and income criteria are defined in accordance to the present guidelines of NFSA.
All the qualified households will be Aadhaar-seeded to facilitate direct benefits transfer (DBT) into their bank accounts so as to make them efficient and transparent.
Benefits of Orunodoi 3.0
Government of Assam is offering a monthly financial assistance of 1250 rupees to every beneficiary eligible woman. This is directly deposited to their bank accounts on the 1 st of each month.
The ₹1250 per month can be used to satisfy basic household necessities and is as follows:
| Expense Category | Monthly Allocation (₹) | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Medicines & Health | 400 | Health and medical care |
| Pulses | 200 | 50% subsidy on 4 kg of pulses |
| Sugar | 80 | 50% subsidy on 4 kg of sugar |
| Fruits & Vegetables | 150 | Nutritional support |
| Essential Items | 150 | Basic household goods |
| COVID-19 Contingency | 170 | Health & hygiene support |
| Electricity Subsidy | 250 | For up to 50 units of electricity |
Total Monthly Benefit: ₹1,250 per family via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
Eligibility Criteria for Orunodoi 3.0
A household will qualify if any one of the following applies:
- Widow or unmarried woman above 45 years of age
- Transgender individuals
- Persons with disabilities (as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016)
- Elderly or infirm women, including those in registered old-age homes
- Households where earning members are either disabled or above 60 years of age
- Families with members suffering from HIV, Thalassemia, Haemophilia, Cerebral Palsy, Leprosy, or Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Homeless women or those without shelter
- Destitute women living on alms
- Women beneficiaries under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)
- Households with a composite annual income below ₹2 lakh
Exclusion Criteria
Applicants will not be eligible if they fall under any of the following categories:
- Elected representatives such as MPs, MLAs, CEMs, EMs (including ex-holders of such posts)
- Current members of Panchayati Raj Institutions, Urban Local Bodies, and Autonomous Councils
- Professionals including doctors, engineers, architects, chartered accountants, bankers, and lawyers
- Teachers and staff of educational institutions (government or contractual)
- Any regular, pensioned, or contractual government employee (including Anganwadi, ASHA, or Mid-Day Meal workers)
- Business owners, contractors, or suppliers who pay income tax
- Holders of trade licences, industrialists, real estate developers, or shopkeepers paying income tax
- Owners of motorised four-wheel vehicles
- Large or medium landholders (beyond small and marginal category)
- Beneficiaries of Orunodoi Plus or any other scheme offering similar or higher benefits
- Households exceeding income limits defined under the Assam Food Security Rules (NFSA)
Application Process: Step-by-Step Guide
Offline Application Only
Eligible women can apply for Orunodoi 3.0 through their local Gram Panchayat or Urban Local Body (ULB).
Step 1: Obtain the Application Form
Collect the official Orunodoi 3.0 application form from the respective Panchayat or Block Office.
Step 2: Nominate a Woman Member
Each family must nominate one woman from the household as the beneficiary.
Step 3: Fill in the Application Form
Provide the following details carefully:
Applicant Information:
- Block / ULB Name
- Gram Panchayat / Town Name
- Village / Ward Number
- Applicant’s Full Name
- Gender and Age (as on 01.04.2020)
- Address, Police Station, and PIN Code
- Contact / Mobile Number
Family Details:
- Names, Ages, Genders, and Relationships of all members
- Priority Status (Widow, Divorced, Separated, Disabled, etc.)
Bank Details:
- Bank Name, Branch, and IFSC Code
- Bank Account Number
- Annual Family Income
Step 4: Attach Supporting Documents
Include photocopies of:
- Aadhaar Card
- Bank Passbook (first page)
- PAN Card
- Domicile Certificate of Assam
- Ration Card
- Voter ID
- Age Proof
- Two Passport Photos
- Priority or Disability Certificates (if applicable)
Step 5: Submit the Form
Submit the completed form to the Panchayat Office or PS Committee.
An acknowledgement slip will be issued as proof of submission.
Step 6: Verification and Selection
Applications are well checked by district level committees.
After approval, the lists of beneficiaries are loaded to the Portal of DIDE and the monthly aid is directly deposited into bank accounts on the 10th of each month.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Orunodoi 3.0?
It is the third step of the Assam flagship Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Scheme that seeks to empower women in economically weaker households by availing a monthly financial grant of 1,250 Indian rupees.
2. Who can benefit from Orunodoi 3.0?
This scheme can only be availed to women of NFSA-enrolled low-income households or women who have met the necessary eligibility criteria.
3. What are the key benefits?
Qualified women get ₹1,250 every month in their bank accounts that cover basic household and health-related costs.
4. Is Orunodoi 3.0 a DBT scheme?
Yes. All of this is paid out in Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) so as to be transparent and root out the middlemen.
5. How can I apply?
The applicants may apply offline in their Gram Panchayat or Urban Local Body and attach all the required documents.
Final Thoughts
Orunodoi 3.0 is not only a financial aid programme, this is a social empowerment movement, meant to give the women in Assam a sense of stability in their lives by giving them financial stability, and dignity as well as independence. The scheme promotes the inclusive growth and reduction of poverty in the state because of the assured flow of income.