The Union Government has intensified efforts to transform rural women into economically self-reliant entrepreneurs under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY–NRLM). At a recent review meeting in New Delhi, Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, called for a focused strategy to achieve the revised target of creating 6 crore ‘Lakhpati Didis’ — women earning at least ₹1 lakh annually through sustainable livelihood activities.
What Is DAY–NRLM and Why It Matters?
The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission is a flagship programme of the Ministry of Rural Development aimed at alleviating rural poverty through social mobilisation, financial inclusion, and livelihood promotion.
It operates through four major components:
- Institution building and capacity development
- Social inclusion and social development
- Financial inclusion
- Livelihood promotion
The mission primarily functions through Self-Help Groups (SHGs), mobilising rural women into community-based institutions that facilitate credit access, entrepreneurship, and collective economic activity.
The 6 Crore ‘Lakhpati Didis’ Target
The revised goal of creating 6 crore ‘Lakhpati Didis’ represents a major scale-up in ambition. To achieve this, the Minister emphasised that at least 10 crore women must be connected to financial inclusion initiatives.
The term ‘Lakhpati Didi’ refers to an SHG member earning a sustainable annual income of ₹1 lakh or more through diversified livelihood sources such as:
- Agriculture and allied activities
- Micro-enterprises
- Dairy, poultry, and fisheries
- Handicrafts and small-scale manufacturing
The emphasis is not merely on income enhancement but on building durable economic resilience and improved quality of life.
Financial Inclusion as the Backbone
Financial inclusion remains central to the mission’s strategy. Significant achievements include:
- ₹1.5 lakh crore extended through bank linkages to SHGs.
- Nearly 5 crore individuals connected with financial literacy programmes.
- Around 7 crore people covered under social security and insurance schemes.
The bank linkage programme has enabled SHGs to access formal credit at lower interest rates, reducing dependence on informal moneylenders. Financial literacy initiatives equip women with knowledge of savings, credit management, insurance, and investment planning — crucial for long-term sustainability.
Centre–State Coordination and Implementation Challenges
A key theme of the review meeting was strengthening coordination with states. The Minister directed officials to prepare a time-bound action plan and ensure optimal utilisation of allocated funds.
Challenges include:
- Uneven performance across states.
- Under-utilisation of budgetary allocations in some regions.
- Need for capacity building in weaker districts.
- Ensuring income sustainability beyond initial credit infusion.
Sustained dialogue, monitoring, and technical handholding are expected to bridge performance gaps and ensure uniform implementation.
Broader Policy Context: Women-Led Rural Development
The expansion of DAY–NRLM aligns with broader national priorities:
- Atmanirbhar Bharat: Strengthening local production and self-reliance.
- Gender-inclusive growth: Enhancing women’s participation in the formal economy.
- Rural transformation: Diversifying non-farm employment opportunities.
- Social protection expansion: Linking livelihood programmes with insurance and welfare schemes.
The focus on SHG-based economic mobilisation has already emerged as one of the world’s largest women-led development initiatives. By combining credit access, institutional support, and skill enhancement, the mission seeks to convert numerical targets into structural empowerment.
What to Note for Prelims?
- DAY–NRLM is implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development.
- Target: 6 crore ‘Lakhpati Didis’.
- ₹1.5 lakh crore provided through bank linkages.
- Four components: institutional building, social inclusion, financial inclusion, livelihood promotion.
- Focus on SHG-based women empowerment.
What to Note for Mains?
- Role of SHGs in poverty alleviation and rural transformation.
- Financial inclusion as a tool of gender empowerment.
- Importance of Centre–State coordination in flagship scheme implementation.
- Challenges in scaling livelihood programmes sustainably.
- Contribution of women-led enterprises to inclusive economic growth.