The Ministry of Rural Development provided a comprehensive update on the implementation of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), revealing significant achievements in women's economic empowerment through Self Help Groups (SHGs).

Program Scope and Implementation

The mission has successfully mobilized 10.08 crore women into 92.30 lakh SHGs across 28 States and 6 Union Territories (excluding Delhi and Chandigarh). The program operates through four core components: social mobilization and strengthening of community institutions, financial inclusion, sustainable livelihoods, and social inclusion & development. The Ministry facilitates access to institutional credit for women SHGs through collateral-free loans from Scheduled Commercial Banks and Cooperative Banks following RBI and NABARD guidelines.

Training and Capacity Building

Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs) provide skill development and entrepreneurship training to rural youth and SHGs with a focus on women empowerment, supporting livelihood and enterprise development while facilitating bank credit linkages. Additionally, Community Managed Training Centres (CMTCs) serve as community-owned hubs for capacity building, peer learning, and knowledge exchange.

Impact Assessment Results

Independent impact evaluation studies demonstrate substantial socioeconomic improvements. The 3ie Impact Evaluation Study (2025) based on data from 2019 and 2024 across 9 States covering 23,000 households found household incomes increased by 9.5% in NRLM blocks, with mature community institution clusters showing income gains ranging from 12% to 33%. The study also reported a 6-11% increase in per capita household consumption alongside improvements in women's empowerment, livelihood diversification, and overall household welfare.

NITI Aayog's Evaluation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (2025) assessed DAY-NRLM as highly relevant and impactful, noting average household incomes increased by 49%. The program contributed to women's economic and social empowerment with 58% of women reporting enhanced confidence, 52% experiencing improved access to income-generating opportunities, and 46% becoming capable of managing banking transactions independently. Women-led enterprises have diversified into tailoring, goat rearing, and agri-trading activities.

Lakhpati Didi Initiative

The Lakhpati Didi Initiative under DAY-NRLM has successfully created 3.46 crore women entrepreneurs (Lakhpati Didis) who achieve annual income of ₹1 lakh or more, demonstrating the scheme's substantial impact on women's income generation capabilities.

State-wise SHG Distribution

The detailed state-wise distribution shows West Bengal leads with 11,67,882 SHGs, followed by Uttar Pradesh (8,71,820), Andhra Pradesh (8,27,133), Maharashtra (6,67,562), and Odisha (5,51,414). Other significant states include Bihar (13,53,025 SHGs), Madhya Pradesh (4,68,501), and Tamil Nadu (3,48,977). The total across all 34 states/UTs reaches 92,30,743 SHGs.

Challenges Addressed

The program addresses key challenges faced by SHGs including gender inequality, migration, low literacy, limited marketing facilities, technology access limitations, and vulnerability to natural disasters, health emergencies, climate change, and economic downturns.