Tejaswini Project

The Tejaswini Project is a flagship initiative aimed at empowering adolescent girls and young women in India through education, skill development, and socio-economic participation. The project was first launched in Jharkhand by the Government of Jharkhand, with financial and technical assistance from the World Bank, and has since served as a model for similar gender empowerment programmes across various Indian states.
“Tejaswini” — meaning radiant or bright in Sanskrit — symbolises the potential and strength of young women to lead independent and productive lives when provided with the right opportunities and support.

Background and Need

India has one of the world’s largest populations of adolescents, with girls often facing multiple barriers to education, employment, and social mobility. In states like Jharkhand, where early marriage, school dropout, and limited economic opportunities are prevalent, empowering young women became a critical policy priority.
To address these challenges, the Tejaswini Project was launched in 2016, supported by a World Bank credit of USD 63 million. It targets girls and women aged 14 to 24 years, focusing on improving their educational, vocational, and life skills to enhance employability and social participation.
The project aligns with India’s broader objectives of gender equality, skill development, and youth empowerment, contributing to both Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

Objectives of the Tejaswini Project

The primary goal of the Tejaswini Project is to increase the socio-economic empowerment of adolescent girls and young women by improving their access to education, training, employment, and life skills.
Key Objectives Include:

• Enhancing skills and employability through market-relevant vocational training.
• Promoting continued education and reducing school dropout rates among adolescent girls.
• Building social awareness on issues such as health, hygiene, gender equality, and financial literacy.
• Delaying age of marriage and promoting informed life choices.
• Creating safe community spaces for girls to learn, interact, and access mentorship.
• Fostering entrepreneurship and self-employment among young women.

Implementation Structure

The project is implemented by the Jharkhand Women Development Society (JWDS) under the Department of Women, Child Development and Social Security, Government of Jharkhand.
Key Implementation Features:

1. Tejaswini Kendras (Adolescent Girls’ Centres):
   • Community-based learning hubs established at the village level.
   • Serve as safe spaces where adolescent girls and young women receive training, mentoring, and counselling.
2. Project Phases:
   • Phase I: Focused on 17 districts of Jharkhand, covering both rural and semi-urban regions.
   • Phase II: Expanded based on performance and demand.
3. Partnerships:
   • Collaboration with local NGOs, vocational training providers, and industry partners for course delivery.
   • Coordination with educational institutions and self-help groups (SHGs) for outreach and mobilisation.
4. Monitoring and Evaluation:
   • Regular assessment of programme outcomes using data-driven tools.
   • Community participation in decision-making and feedback mechanisms.

Key Components

The Tejaswini Project is built around three core components:

1. Expanding Social, Educational, and Economic Opportunities:
   • Establishing and operating Tejaswini Clubs and Centres for girls aged 14–24.
   • Providing training in literacy, numeracy, financial management, digital skills, and vocational courses.
   • Supporting school re-entry for girls who dropped out.
2. Intensive Service Delivery in Selected Districts:
   • Focused interventions in districts with the lowest female literacy and highest dropout rates.
   • Partnerships with local industries for apprenticeships and job placement.
3. Strengthening Institutional Capacity and Systems:
   • Building institutional mechanisms within JWDS for gender-focused programme management.
   • Enhancing coordination among government departments dealing with education, skills, and social welfare.

Training and Skill Development

Under the Tejaswini Project, training is imparted in diverse fields based on local market demand and participant interest, including:

• Tailoring and apparel design
• Beauty and wellness services
• Computer literacy and IT-enabled services
• Handicrafts and entrepreneurship development
• Hospitality and retail management
• Agriculture, livestock, and food processing

Each participant receives life skills training alongside vocational education to promote self-confidence, decision-making, and awareness of legal rights.

Outcomes and Achievements

Since its inception, the Tejaswini Project has achieved significant milestones in promoting the empowerment of young women:

• Coverage: Over 700,000 adolescent girls and young women have benefited across Jharkhand.
• Training and Employment: Tens of thousands of girls have received vocational training, with many entering wage employment or self-employment.
• Educational Reintegration: The project has facilitated the re-enrolment of school dropouts into formal or non-formal education systems.
• Community Empowerment: Establishment of over 7,000 Tejaswini Centres, providing safe learning spaces.
• Social Impact: Reduction in early marriages and improvement in self-efficacy and decision-making among participants.

Evaluations by the World Bank have indicated positive effects on participants’ aspirations, mobility, and social participation.

Broader Significance

The Tejaswini Project serves as a model for gender-focused youth empowerment in India and globally. It demonstrates how targeted interventions can bridge gaps in education, skill development, and employment for women in underserved regions.
The project’s design complements national programmes such as:

• Skill India Mission (Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana)
• National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM)
• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
• Digital India initiatives for promoting digital literacy among women.

The success of the Jharkhand model has encouraged other states to explore similar initiatives for adolescent empowerment.

Challenges

Despite its achievements, the project has encountered certain implementation challenges:

• Socio-cultural barriers such as traditional gender roles and early marriage.
• Limited employment opportunities in rural and semi-urban areas.
• Infrastructure gaps and logistical challenges in remote regions.
• Sustainability concerns, requiring continued funding and institutional support beyond project timelines.