The Indian government has facilitated the disbursement of over ₹11 lakh crore in loans to women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced. This achievement marks a significant milestone in financial empowerment and rural self-reliance.
SHG support transforms rural livelihoods
Under this initiative, women in SHGs receive collateral-free loans and interest subsidies through formal banks. These loans help women establish microenterprises, increase household incomes, and improve their families’ economic standing. With a repayment rate of over 98%, the program underscores its effective execution and the growing trust in women-led economic participation.
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Banking partners, including grassroots-level ‘Bank Sakhis’, have been instrumental in connecting SHGs to financial systems, facilitating smooth transactions, and building awareness of insurance, pensions, and digital finance tools. The Ministry of Rural Development has also enhanced the Community Based Repayment Mechanism (CBRM) to strengthen repayment tracking and reduce defaults.
A step toward ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ led by women
These efforts are part of a broader vision to make rural India self-reliant, with initiatives like ‘Lakhpati Didi’ inspiring millions of women to lead entrepreneurial ventures. The scheme goes beyond statistics—it highlights the power of trust, opportunity, and community in creating lasting change for women-led households in villages across India.