The Mukhyamantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana (MKBY), a flagship program designed to lessen the financial burden of marriage on economically disadvantaged families while encouraging respectable, legal, and socially responsible marriage practices throughout the State, was unveiled by the Odisha government on Friday.
The program, which runs from 2025–2026 to 2029–2030, aims to assist young women, promote widow remarriage, stop child marriages, and discourage dowry customs. Additionally, it is intended to encourage prompt marriage registration in accordance with the Odisha Marriage Rules.
Each qualified bride would receive a total of Rs 51,000 in help under the initiative. To ensure transparency and cut out middlemen, Rs 35,000 will be sent straight to the beneficiary's bank account using the DBT mechanism.

A bridal saree, jewelry accessories including bindi and bangles, traditional anklets (paunji), toe rings (jhuntia), kitchenware, and other necessities would also be provided by the government as wedding gifts valued at Rs 10,000. The Handloom, Textiles, and Handicrafts Department of Utkalika will purchase these goods.
The program will assist in arranging group marriages with the assistance of NGOs, community-based organizations, trusts, and other recognized organizations in order to further relieve the financial burden on families. Additionally, each bride will receive Rs 6,000 for event management, which includes logistics, refreshments, and décor.

Coverage and Eligibility
Couples who are both permanent residents of Odisha are eligible for the program. The bride must be between the ages of 18 and 35, and the husband must be between the ages of 21 and 35. The program prioritizes widow remarriage even though it mostly serves first-time marriages. Beneficiaries must not have received marital assistance under any other state or federal program, and only one eligible woman per family will be funded.

Widows, people with disabilities (PwDs), PVTG members, SC & ST communities, and low-income households are among the priority categories.
Both partners' Aadhaar cards and the bride's single-holder bank account information must be submitted by applicants. Additional documentation, such as a death certificate, handicap certificate, caste certificate, or income certificate, may be needed depending on the category.Encouraging Legal Practices and Social Cohesion
The government wants to promote a culture of straightforward, respectable, and legal weddings. The program is anticipated to lessen financial vulnerability and improve social fairness throughout Odisha by promoting marriage registration, discouraging dowries, and helping the weak.
Regular monitoring and social audits, according to officials, will guarantee openness, appropriate use of funds, and successful execution of the program throughout the state.