The government is launching an extensive reform of its social protection framework, moving away from a collection of fragmented welfare schemes toward a digitally integrated, citizen-focused model.
This transition is intended to increase transparency and ensure that social benefits are more accessible and accurately targeted.
Central to this effort is the Dynamic Social Registry (DSR), a nationwide digital platform currently being implemented by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Social Welfare.
This registry will allow citizens to apply for assistance from any part of the country, while enabling the government to identify eligible recipients through scientific, data-driven poverty assessments.
Transitioning from fragmented welfare
The initiative represents a fundamental shift from traditional, programme-based administration to a unified digital ecosystem where support is linked to verified household data.
The government has acknowledged that the existing framework, consisting of over 90 separate programmes, has suffered from overlapping benefits, poor coordination, and the exclusion of many deserving households.
Budget documents describe the current system as unsustainable and unresponsive to contemporary needs. By creating a unified database, the DSR aims to reduce duplication and ensure that state resources reach those in greatest need.
Digital foundation and G2P payments
The reform was built upon the Single Registry System, which was introduced by Finance Division to improve beneficiary management. Under this system, social protection funds are transferred directly to beneficiaries’ bank or mobile financial service accounts using Government-to-Person (G2P) payment mechanism.
Currently, this registry contains data on approximately 4 crore beneficiaries and has capacity to verify an additional 2 crore citizens. This digital shift has already improved transparency in selection and eliminated duplication in fund disbursements.
The life-cycle approach and family cards
The government is adopting a “life-cycle approach” to social protection, aiming to provide a comprehensive support framework for citizens from birth through old age.
This strategy focuses on promoting economic empowerment and self-reliance while fulfilling the constitutional commitment to food, clothing, shelter, and employment.
A flagship component of this strategy is Family Card Programme, which treats the family, rather than the individual, as the primary unit of development.
This programme identifies poor households to provide integrated support for food security, healthcare, education, and livelihoods. To strengthen the social and financial standing of women, the cards are issued in the name of mother or female head of the household.
Beneficiary households receive Tk2,500 per month via G2P system, which is nearly three times the amount of existing safety net allowances. The government eventually plans to transform these into a Universal Social ID Card for every citizen by 2030.
While the pilot phase currently supports 60,044 female-headed households, the government proposes allocating Tk14,500 crore to expand this to 41 lakh women in coming fiscal year.
Expansion of social safety net allowances
The proposed budget also includes increases for several existing programmes –
Old age allowance: Coverage will rise to 62 lakh beneficiaries, with monthly payments increasing from Tk650 to Tk700.
Widow and destitute women allowance: Monthly payments will rise to Tk700, with coverage expanding to 30 lakh women.
Disability allowance: Beneficiary numbers will increase to 38 lakh, with monthly payments rising to Tk1,000.
Educational support: Stipends for students with disabilities will be expanded to 100,000 recipients with increased rates across all levels.
Health grants: One-time financial assistance for patients with cancer and five other chronic diseases will double from Tk50,000 to Tk100,000.
Mother and child assistance: Support will continue for nearly 19 lakh beneficiaries with a proposed allocation of Tk1,944.70 crore.
Pension and legal reforms
The budget further proposes improvements to the Universal Pension Scheme, including better fund management and a provision allowing participants to withdraw 30 per cent of their accumulated savings as a one-time gratuity.
Additionally, the government plans to establish a state-funded welfare programme for destitute orphans and amend the Parents’ Maintenance Act, 2013 to improve its implementation.
While these reforms represent a comprehensive modernization of the social protection architecture, officials note that success depends on several factors.
Maintaining accurate household data, ensuring digital access in remote areas, and protecting personal information remain critical objectives.
There is a continued focus on ensuring that the genuinely poor are not excluded during the transition to the unified digital system.
