**Question:** Direct cash transfer scheme to adolescent girls is covered under -

A. National Health Mission (NHM)
B. National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)
C. National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)
D. National Health Policy (NHP)

**Core Concept:** The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) is a social welfare scheme in India aimed at providing financial assistance to vulnerable sections of society, particularly women and children. The focus is on improving their socioeconomic conditions, nutrition, health, and education.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right:** The correct answer is B (National Social Assistance Programme - NSAP) because it is the specific scheme within the National Social Assistance Mission (NSAM) that focuses on providing financial support to adolescent girls and women. NSAP includes the scheme 'Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme' which is aimed at benefiting adolescent girls by providing a savings account to their parents or guardians to help cover their education and marriage expenses.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**

A. National Health Mission (NHM) is a health-related scheme focusing on improving healthcare infrastructure, health workforce, and disease control programmes. It does not specifically target adolescent girls or their welfare.

C. National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) is another health-related scheme focusing on improving rural healthcare. Similar to NHM, it does not focus on adolescent girls' welfare.

D. National Health Policy (NHP) is a high-level policy document outlining the government's vision and strategies for healthcare in India. It does not specify a direct scheme for adolescent girls' welfare.

**Benefits of NSAP and Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme:**

The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) and its sub-scheme, Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme, provide significant benefits to adolescent girls and their families.

**Benefits of NSAP:**
1. Economic empowerment: Parents/guardians receive monthly or annual installments, which can be utilized for girl's education, nutrition, and healthcare.
2. Financial security: The scheme aims to reduce the financial burden on parents/guardians for their daughter's education and marriage.
3. Gender equality: By providing financial support, the scheme contributes to gender equality and women's empowerment.

**Benefits of Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme:**
1. Education: The account grows on a compound interest basis, and the interest rate is higher than regular savings accounts.
2. Marriage expenses: The money can be withdrawn for the girl's marriage upon reaching 18 years of age or after completing education, whichever is later.
3. Gender equality: The scheme promotes gender equality by supporting the girl's education and marriage expenses, reducing financial burdens on parents/guardians for their daughter's future.

**Why Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme is part of NSAP:**
The Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme is a sub-scheme under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), which focuses on improving the socio-economic status of