Budget 2026 Boost: How To Apply For Lakhpati Didi Scheme As Govt Gives Major Push To Scheme With SHE Mart?

Budget 2026 Boost: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a major upgrade for the Lakhpati Didi scheme, which is the government's flagship initiative for women entrepreneurship.

In her Budget 2026 speech, FM Sitharaman announced the creation of self-help entrepreneurs (SHE) marts as community-owned retail outlets within cluster-level federations.

"Building on the success of the Lakhpati Didi program, I propose to help women take the next step from credit-linked livelihoods to being owners of enterprises. Self-help entrepreneurs will be set up as community-owned retail outlets within the cluster-level federations through enhanced and innovative financing instruments," said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her speech.

With the announcement of SHE Mart as an upgrade of the Lakhpati Didi scheme, here are all the details about the two and the steps to apply for Lakhpati Didi.

What is the Lakhpati Didi Scheme?

The Lakhpati Didi scheme is a Self-Help Group Member scheme is a women-centric initiative of the central government. The scheme empowers women by helping members of self-help groups.

Who is A Lakhpati Didi?

As per the official website, Lakhpati Didi scheme is a SHG, whose annual household income is more than Rs 1 lakh with an average income of Rs 10,000.

How To Apply For Lakhpati Didi Scheme?

There is no direct way to apply for the scheme, rather, women are required to join a local Self-Help Group (SHG) under the DAY-NRLM Scheme.

-Then your SHG or Rural Livelyhood Mission (SRLM) will identify potential Didis based on livelihood activities and potential for growth.
-The identified Lakhpati Didis will receive training and exposure visits on various livelihood models.
-The selected women are then required to develop a 'Lakhpati Plan' to present details about the selected livelihood activity.
-The beneficiaries can then connect with banks for loans or credit support for enterprise.

What is SHE Marts?

SHE Mart is an upgradation of Lakhpati Didi initiative. Its major aim is to boost entrepreneurship among women in the rural areas. More details about SHE Mart are yet to be released.

Presenting the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha, the minister called it the "next step" for these self-help group (SHG) members, towards being "owners of enterprises"."Building on the success of the Lakhpati Didi programme, I propose to help women take the next step from credit-linked livelihood to being owners of enterprises," Sitharaman said.

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