Lakhpati Didi Scheme Explained: Benefits, Eligibility, and How to Apply

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The Lakhpati Didi Scheme is an initiative under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, aimed at empowering rural women by enabling them to achieve financial independence through sustainable livelihoods. It is not a standalone scheme but an outcome of DAY-NRLM, focusing on transforming women members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) into entrepreneurs with an annual household income of ₹1,00,000 or more. Below are the full details of the scheme in English, based on available information:

What is the Lakhpati Didi Scheme?

Definition: A “Lakhpati Didi” is an SHG member who earns a sustainable annual household income exceeding ₹1,00,000 (approximately ₹10,000 per month) across at least four agricultural seasons or business cycles.
Objective: The scheme aims to empower rural women by fostering economic self-reliance, promoting entrepreneurship, and improving their socio-economic status through skill development, financial assistance, and market linkages.
Target: Initially set to create 2 crore Lakhpati Didis, the target was increased to 3 crore women in the Interim Budget 2024, as announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. As of June 2024, over 1 crore women have achieved Lakhpati Didi status.

Key Features of the Scheme

1. Focus on Self-Help Groups (SHGs):

The scheme operates through SHGs under DAY-NRLM, which mobilize rural women into groups for collective savings, credit access, and economic activities.
As of June 2024, 10.05 crore women are part of 90.86 lakh SHGs across India.
SHGs provide a platform for financial literacy, skill development, and mutual support, enabling women to pursue entrepreneurial ventures.

2. Sustainable Livelihoods:

The scheme encourages women to adopt sustainable livelihood practices in farm, non-farm, or service sectors (e.g., agriculture, dairy, poultry, handicrafts, food processing, or small businesses).
Women are supported to diversify their income sources to achieve a stable income of ₹1,00,000 or more annually.

3. Financial Support:

Revolving Fund (RF) and Community Investment Fund (CIF): SHGs receive funds to create a corpus, enabling members to access loans for income-generating activities.
Bank Linkages: SHGs are linked with banks to provide low-interest or interest-free loans (e.g., up to ₹5 lakh in some states like Rajasthan and Uttarakhand).
Women Enterprise Acceleration Fund: A dedicated fund supports individual and group enterprises by SHG members.
As of 2022, DAY-NRLM facilitated over ₹4.85 lakh crore in loans to SHGs.
In August 2024, ₹2,500 crore (Revolving Fund) was disbursed to 48 lakh members of 4.3 lakh SHGs, and ₹5,000 crore in bank loans were provided to 25.8 lakh members of 2.35 lakh SHGs.

4.Skill Development and Training:

SHG members receive training in diverse areas such as organic farming, dairy management, handicrafts, food processing, plumbing, LED bulb manufacturing, drone operation, and repair.
Community Resource Persons (CRPs): Trained CRPs guide potential Lakhpati Didis in preparing livelihood business plans, accessing assets, skills, finance, technology, and markets.
Micro Enterprise Development (MED): This program supports SHG members in setting up non-farm enterprises with financing from CIF and banks.
Training modules include business management, livestock development, agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture, and value chain interventions.

5. Market Linkages:

The scheme connects SHG products to markets through e-commerce platforms, government initiatives, and local markets to ensure fair prices.
Example: In Assam, SHG members engaged in handloom weaving are linked to national and international markets.

6. Convergence and Partnerships:

The scheme collaborates with various government departments (e.g., Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Ministry of MSME) and private sector players to provide technical, financial, and capacity-building support.
Partnerships with organizations like NABARD (since February 2024) for non-credit services, skill training, and financial assistance for food processing and agricultural value chains.
Collaboration with SA-DHAN (March 2024) to promote women-led enterprises and develop digital tools.
NDDB Dairy Services supports women milk producer companies.
Bharat Financial Inclusion Limited aids in animal husbandry development.

7. Technological Interventions:

Digital Aajeevika Register: Tracks livelihood activities and income periodically (every six months, linked to agricultural seasons or business cycles).
Drones for Agriculture: Around 15,000 women’s SHGs are trained in drone operation and repair to enhance agricultural productivity.
Kaushal Panjee: A web and mobile-based tool for registering beneficiaries for skill development programs like DDU-GKY and RSETI.

8. Monitoring and Evaluation:

Progress is tracked through tools like the Digital Aajeevika Register and National Mobile Monitoring Software (NMMS).
Government agencies and CRPs provide continuous support to ensure SHG members achieve the ₹1 lakh income target.

Eligibility Criteria

SHG Membership: Women must be active members of an SHG under DAY-NRLM for at least two years and have availed the Community Investment Fund (CIF).
Income Bracket: Approximately 25% of potential Lakhpati Didis are targeted from those already earning above ₹1 lakh annually, while 75% are from those earning less than ₹1 lakh, based on a 2022 survey. States/UTs may devise additional criteria.
Residency: In state-specific implementations (e.g., Rajasthan, Uttarakhand), applicants must be residents of the respective state.
Economic Status: Focus is on economically disadvantaged women to promote financial inclusion and entrepreneurship.

How to Apply

Step 1: Visit the nearest Anganwadi centre, State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM) office, or designated government office for information and guidance.
Step 2: Join an SHG if not already a member, as the scheme operates through SHGs.
Step 3: Obtain and fill out the application form for the Lakhpati Didi Scheme, ensuring all details are accurate.
Step 4: Submit the form with required documents (e.g., identity proof, residence proof, SHG membership details) through the Anganwadi centre or designated office.
Step 5: Undergo verification of eligibility and documents by authorities.
Step 6: Upon approval, receive confirmation via letter, SMS, or email and participate in mandatory financial literacy and skill development training.
Step 7: Access financial assistance, loans, and other benefits to start or scale a business.

Benefits of the Scheme

Financial Independence: Interest-free or low-interest loans (up to ₹5 lakh in some states) to start or expand businesses.
Skill Development: Training in diverse fields like agriculture, dairy, handicrafts, plumbing, LED bulb manufacturing, and drone operation.
Market Access: Linkages to local, national, and international markets for SHG products.
Additional Support: Financial literacy workshops, vocational training, insurance coverage, and empowerment programs.
Technological Empowerment: Access to drones and digital tools for modern agricultural and business practices.
Socio-Economic Impact: Enhances decision-making power, financial literacy, and community leadership among women, contributing to poverty alleviation.

Achievements and Impact

Scale: Over 1 crore women have achieved Lakhpati Didi status since the scheme’s inception in 2023.
Financial Disbursements: Over ₹6,000 crore disbursed to SHGs across India, with ₹7,500 crore disbursed in August 2024 alone (₹2,500 crore Revolving Fund + ₹5,000 crore bank loans).
SHG Reach: 83 lakh SHGs with 9 crore women have transformed the rural socio-economic landscape.
State-Specific Impact:
Rajasthan: Launched on December 23, 2023, aiming to benefit 11.24 lakh women with interest-free loans up to ₹5 lakh.
Uttarakhand: Targets 1.25 lakh women to become Lakhpati Didis by 2025 with interest-free loans up to ₹5 lakh.
Maharashtra: Aims to contribute 50 lakh Lakhpati Didis toward the national target of 3 crore.
Recognition: In August 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi felicitated 11 lakh new Lakhpati Didis at the Lakhpati Didi Sammelan in Jalgaon, Maharashtra.

State-Specific Variations

Rajasthan: Launched by the BJP government, the scheme provides interest-free loans up to ₹5 lakh, monthly loan camps, and training for 20,000 women in SHGs.
Uttarakhand (Mukhyamantri Lakhpati Didi Yojana): Targets 1.25 lakh women by 2025, offering interest-free loans up to ₹5 lakh for SHG members.
Jammu & Kashmir: Progressing under J&K NRLM, with many women achieving Lakhpati status.
Maharashtra: Contributes significantly to the national target with a focus on 50 lakh Lakhpati Didis.

Challenges and Considerations

Implementation Variability: Criteria and benefits may vary across states, requiring clear communication from local authorities.
Access to Resources: Rural women may face challenges in accessing training, markets, or digital tools due to infrastructure limitations.
Sustainability: Ensuring consistent income across multiple seasons or business cycles requires continuous support and monitoring.

How to Get More Information

Visit the official Lakhpati Didi website: lakhpatididi.gov.in
Contact the nearest Anganwadi centre, State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM) office, or Ministry of Rural Development office.
Check the National Portal of India: india.gov.in
Refer to DAY-NRLM resources: nrlm.gov.in

Conclusion

The Lakhpati Didi Scheme is a transformative initiative that aligns with India’s goals of poverty alleviation and women’s empowerment. By leveraging SHGs, providing financial and skill-based support, and fostering market linkages, it empowers rural women to become financially independent entrepreneurs. With a target of creating 3 crore Lakhpati Didis, the scheme is a cornerstone of women-led development, contributing to a socio-economic revolution in rural India.

If you need specific details about implementation in a particular state or assistance with the application process, please let me know!