Dhee Rani Program Punjab 2026 — Eligibility, Package & How to Apply
The Punjab Dhee Rani Program Phase 4 is currently active and provides Rs. 1 lakh in cash delivered via a Bank of Punjab ATM card, a complete dowry package including furniture and household items, and free collective wedding arrangements to selected underprivileged families marrying off their daughters, according to official Punjab government announcements. Phase 4 runs from August 2025 to November 2026. The last date to apply is November 5, 2026. Applications are submitted online through the Social Welfare portal or offline through your nearest District Social Welfare office. Helpline 1312 handles all queries.
Last Updated: May 2026
What Is the Dhee Rani Program?
The Dhee Rani Program is a social welfare initiative run by the Punjab Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Maal Department under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. Dhee Rani means beloved daughter. The program organises mass wedding ceremonies for underprivileged families and provides direct cash support and household items so daughters can begin married life without debt or financial pressure on their family.
The program targets low-income families, orphaned girls, and girls with disabilities who cannot afford marriage expenses. Selection is done through a computerised, transparent process — funds are transferred directly to verified ATM accounts to eliminate middlemen.
Phase 4 plans to arrange mass weddings for 5,000 couples across different districts of Punjab, according to official Social Welfare Department announcements.
Who Is Eligible for the Dhee Rani Program?
All of the following conditions must be met at the same time:
- Permanent resident of Punjab with a valid CNIC
- Family income falls below the poverty threshold defined by the Punjab Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Maal Department
- The bride is currently unmarried — a notarised affidavit of unmarried status is required at the time of application
- Application submitted by the bride, her parents, or her legal guardian
- Family is not already receiving wedding support from another government program
Orphaned girls and girls with certified disabilities receive priority during the selection process. If more than one daughter in the same family is of marriageable age, each daughter can apply separately with their own CNIC.
What Does the Package Include?
Each selected family under Phase 4 receives the following, according to official Punjab government programme details:
- Rs. 1 lakh cash delivered via a Bank of Punjab ATM card — issued in the bride’s name
- A complete dowry package including: bed, mattress, furniture, kitchen utensils, dinner set, Holy Quran, and prayer mat
- Free collective wedding ceremony — venue, catering, and all marriage arrangements organised and managed by the government
- Verified marriage documentation — official Nikah registration and all related paperwork handled through the ceremony
The cash is transferred digitally to the ATM card — no cash handover at any government office. This eliminates any risk of on-the-spot fraud.
Required Documents
Prepare all documents before beginning your application. Incomplete documents are the most common reason for rejection.
- Valid CNIC of the bride — or B-Form if below 18 along with a parent’s CNIC
- CNIC of the parent or legal guardian submitting the application
- Notarised affidavit of the bride’s unmarried status — on stamped paper
- Proof of family income — salary slip, or a sworn affidavit confirming income level
- Proof of Punjab residence — utility bill, domicile certificate, or CNIC with Punjab address
- Disability certificate — only if applying under the disability priority category
- Death certificate of father — only if the bride is an orphan applying under the orphan priority category
Scan all documents clearly before uploading. Blurry scans and name mismatches between CNIC and other documents are the two leading causes of rejection.
How to Apply Online — Step by Step
Online registration is the faster and recommended route.
- Go to the official Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Maal Department portal of the Punjab government.
- Find the Dhee Rani Program article or registration link on the portal.
- Click Register and create an account using the guardian’s CNIC and an active mobile number.
- Enter all required details — bride’s personal information, guardian details, household income, and district.
- Upload all required documents in clear, readable format.
- Submit the application and save your tracking reference number — you will need it for status checks.
- Monitor your status by logging in to the portal with your CNIC.
Selected families receive an SMS on their registered mobile number confirming selection, the collective wedding date, and ATM card delivery information.
How to Apply Offline
If you cannot apply online, go to your nearest District Social Welfare office during office hours — Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Bring all required original documents and photocopies. Office staff will complete the registration on your behalf and give you a reference number.
You can also call helpline 1312 — this is the dedicated Social Welfare Department helpline for the Dhee Rani Program. Call for guidance on registration, eligibility queries, and status checks.
How Collective Weddings Work
The Punjab government organises mass wedding ceremonies — called dastarkhan — across different districts under the Dhee Rani Program. These are not simple courthouse signings. The government manages the full ceremony: a proper venue, catering, Nikah proceedings with a registered Nikah Registrar, official marriage documentation, and a dignified celebration.
Selected families are notified of the date and location by SMS. Families attend the ceremony with the bride and groom’s family. All logistics are handled by the Social Welfare Department. Families do not pay any expense for the ceremony.
What to Do When Something Goes Wrong
Application Submitted But No Confirmation SMS Received
Confirmation SMS is sent to the mobile number registered during the application. If you did not receive it, log in to the portal with your CNIC and check your application status in the dashboard. If the status shows submitted but you still have no SMS, your mobile number may not have been entered correctly. Visit your nearest Social Welfare office with your reference number and ask them to verify and correct the contact number.
Application Rejected — Affidavit Issue
If the rejection cites the affidavit, check two things: whether it was properly notarised on stamped paper and whether it clearly states that the bride is unmarried and identifies her correctly by name and CNIC. Resubmit a corrected affidavit through the portal’s grievance or resubmission option. If no resubmission option is available, visit the District Social Welfare office directly.
Selected But ATM Card Not Delivered
The Bank of Punjab ATM card is delivered after selection through official government channels. If more than four weeks have passed since your selection SMS and the card has not arrived, call helpline 1312 with your CNIC and application reference number. The Social Welfare Department coordinates with BOP on card delivery — your call creates a complaint record that triggers follow-up.
Wrong Information Was Entered in the Application
Application corrections after submission are not always available through the portal. Visit your nearest District Social Welfare office immediately with your original CNIC, your reference number, and a written note of the correction needed. Office staff can request a correction through their internal coordination system before your application reaches the verification stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cash amount given under the Dhee Rani Program in 2026?
Each selected bride receives Rs. 1 lakh in cash delivered through a dedicated Bank of Punjab ATM card, according to official Punjab government Phase 4 announcements. The card is issued in the bride’s name. Some sources cite higher figures for selected phases — always verify the current amount at the official Social Welfare portal or by calling helpline 1312.
What is the last date to apply for the Dhee Rani Program Phase 4?
Phase 4 is active from August 2025 with a last registration date of November 5, 2026, according to official program details. Apply well before this date — the selection process takes time and late applications risk missing the final selection round.
Can a widow apply for the Dhee Rani Program for her daughter?
Yes. A widow acting as the legal guardian of the bride can submit the application on the bride’s behalf. The widow’s own CNIC is used as the guardian CNIC. All other eligibility conditions — Punjab residency, income threshold, and unmarried status affidavit — still apply.
Is there any fee to apply for the Dhee Rani Program?
No. The entire application process — online and offline — is completely free. If any person or agent asks for a fee to register you for the Dhee Rani Program, do not pay. Report it to the Social Welfare Department helpline at 1312.
How are families selected for the collective wedding?
Selection is done through a computerised system that prioritises families based on income level, with additional priority given to orphaned girls and girls with certified disabilities. There is no manual shortlisting — the system draws from verified applications. Transparency is enforced through digital fund transfer directly to the ATM card.
Also see: Full overview of all CM Punjab social protection schemes at the CM Punjab women and social schemes guide and monthly food support through the CM Punjab Ration Card guide.
