3 minGovernment Scheme
Government Scheme

Lakhpati Didi Scheme

What is Lakhpati Didi Scheme?

The Lakhpati Didi Scheme aims to empower women in Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to earn a sustainable income of at least ₹1 lakh per year. This is achieved through skill development, financial assistance, and market linkages. The scheme focuses on providing women with the resources and training needed to start and expand their own businesses. By increasing women's income, the scheme seeks to improve their economic independence and social standing. It supports the broader goal of women's empowerment and inclusive economic growth. The scheme is implemented through the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), also known as Aajeevika. The goal is to create a cadre of 'Lakhpati Didis' who can serve as role models and inspire other women to achieve financial success.

Historical Background

The National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), launched in 2011 by the Ministry of Rural Development, serves as the foundation for the Lakhpati Didi Scheme. NRLM aimed to reduce poverty by enabling poor households to access gainful self-employment and skilled wage employment opportunities. The Lakhpati Didi Scheme evolved as a focused initiative within NRLM to specifically address the need for increased income among women SHG members. Recognizing that many women in SHGs were still struggling to achieve financial stability, the government introduced targeted interventions to help them reach the ₹1 lakh annual income threshold. The scheme gained momentum in recent years with increased emphasis on skill development and market access. It reflects a shift towards empowering women not just through self-help groups, but also through sustainable income generation.

Key Points

12 points
  • 1.

    The primary goal is to enable women in Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to achieve an annual income of at least ₹1 lakh.

  • 2.

    The scheme provides skill development training in various fields such as agriculture, handicrafts, textiles, and other rural enterprises.

  • 3.

    Financial assistance is offered through access to credit and loans from banks and other financial institutions.

  • 4.

    Market linkages are facilitated to help women sell their products and services through various channels, including e-commerce platforms and rural haats local markets.

  • 5.

    The National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) provides the overall framework and support for the scheme's implementation.

  • 6.

    Regular monitoring and evaluation are conducted to assess the scheme's progress and impact.

  • 7.

    Convergence with other government schemes, such as the MGNREGA and the National Food Security Mission, is encouraged to maximize benefits for women.

  • 8.

    The scheme promotes the formation and strengthening of SHGs to foster collective action and mutual support among women.

  • 9.

    Special attention is given to women from marginalized communities, such as Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).

  • 10.

    The scheme aims to create a sustainable ecosystem for women entrepreneurs in rural areas.

  • 11.

    Focus on digital literacy to enable women to use technology for their businesses.

  • 12.

    Promotion of value addition to agricultural produce to increase income.

Visual Insights

Lakhpati Didi Scheme: Key Components

Key components of the Lakhpati Didi Scheme and their interconnections.

Lakhpati Didi Scheme

  • Skill Development
  • Financial Assistance
  • Market Linkages
  • Empowerment of Women

Recent Developments

6 developments

In 2023, the government announced an expansion of the Lakhpati Didi Scheme to cover more SHGs and provide enhanced skill development opportunities.

There is ongoing discussion about integrating the scheme with other government initiatives, such as the Skill India Mission, to create synergy and maximize impact.

The government is promoting the use of technology and digital platforms to facilitate market access for women entrepreneurs under the scheme.

Increased focus on promoting women-led enterprises in sectors such as food processing, textiles, and handicrafts.

The recent announcement includes doubling the target of Lakhpati Didis to six crore.

The recent announcement includes doubling the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund to ₹2 lakh crore.

This Concept in News

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Frequently Asked Questions

6
1. What is the Lakhpati Didi Scheme and what is its significance for women empowerment in India?

The Lakhpati Didi Scheme is a government initiative aimed at empowering women in Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to achieve a sustainable annual income of at least ₹1 lakh. Its significance lies in providing women with skill development, financial assistance, and market linkages, thereby fostering economic independence and improving their social standing. This contributes to inclusive economic growth and women's empowerment.

Exam Tip

Remember the income target (₹1 lakh) and the three pillars of the scheme: skill development, financial assistance, and market linkages.

2. What are the key provisions of the Lakhpati Didi Scheme?

The key provisions of the Lakhpati Didi Scheme include: * Enabling women in SHGs to achieve an annual income of at least ₹1 lakh. * Providing skill development training in fields like agriculture, handicrafts, and textiles. * Offering financial assistance through access to credit and loans. * Facilitating market linkages to help women sell their products and services.

  • Enabling women in SHGs to achieve an annual income of at least ₹1 lakh.
  • Providing skill development training in fields like agriculture, handicrafts, and textiles.
  • Offering financial assistance through access to credit and loans.
  • Facilitating market linkages to help women sell their products and services.

Exam Tip

Focus on the practical aspects of the scheme, such as the types of training provided and the channels used for market linkages.

3. How does the Lakhpati Didi Scheme work in practice?

In practice, the Lakhpati Didi Scheme operates by first identifying women in SHGs who have the potential to increase their income. These women are then provided with skill development training based on their interests and local market demand. Financial assistance is offered through loans and credit facilities, and market linkages are established to help them sell their products through various channels, including e-commerce platforms and local markets. The National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) provides the overall framework and support for the scheme's implementation.

Exam Tip

Understand the step-by-step process of how women are identified, trained, and supported under the scheme.

4. What are the challenges in the implementation of the Lakhpati Didi Scheme?

Challenges in implementing the Lakhpati Didi Scheme include: * Ensuring access to quality skill development training for all women. * Providing adequate financial assistance and credit facilities. * Establishing effective market linkages to ensure sustainable income. * Overcoming social barriers and gender biases that hinder women's participation. * Monitoring and evaluating the scheme's impact to ensure its effectiveness.

  • Ensuring access to quality skill development training for all women.
  • Providing adequate financial assistance and credit facilities.
  • Establishing effective market linkages to ensure sustainable income.
  • Overcoming social barriers and gender biases that hinder women's participation.
  • Monitoring and evaluating the scheme's impact to ensure its effectiveness.

Exam Tip

Consider the socio-economic factors that can affect the success of the scheme.

5. How has the Lakhpati Didi Scheme evolved over time?

The Lakhpati Didi Scheme evolved from the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), launched in 2011. Initially, NRLM aimed to reduce poverty by providing self-employment and skilled wage employment opportunities. The Lakhpati Didi Scheme emerged as a focused initiative within NRLM to specifically address the need for increased income among women SHG members. Recent developments include expansion to cover more SHGs, enhanced skill development opportunities, and integration with other government initiatives like the Skill India Mission. There is also increased focus on using technology and digital platforms to facilitate market access.

Exam Tip

Understand the link between NRLM and the Lakhpati Didi Scheme. Note the recent emphasis on technology and integration with other schemes.

6. What is the significance of the Lakhpati Didi Scheme in the Indian economy?

The Lakhpati Didi Scheme contributes to the Indian economy by: * Empowering women economically, leading to increased household income and improved living standards. * Promoting entrepreneurship and self-employment in rural areas. * Creating a skilled workforce that can contribute to various sectors. * Reducing poverty and inequality by providing sustainable livelihood opportunities. * Boosting rural economic growth through increased production and consumption.

  • Empowering women economically, leading to increased household income and improved living standards.
  • Promoting entrepreneurship and self-employment in rural areas.
  • Creating a skilled workforce that can contribute to various sectors.
  • Reducing poverty and inequality by providing sustainable livelihood opportunities.
  • Boosting rural economic growth through increased production and consumption.

Exam Tip

Relate the scheme to broader economic goals such as inclusive growth, poverty reduction, and women's empowerment.

Source Topic

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Polity & Governance

UPSC Relevance

The Lakhpati Didi Scheme is important for the UPSC exam, particularly for GS Paper 2 (Governance, Social Justice & International Relations) and GS Paper 3 (Economy). It is relevant to topics such as women empowerment, poverty alleviation, rural development, and inclusive growth. Questions can be asked about the scheme's objectives, implementation, impact, and challenges. In prelims, factual questions about the scheme's features and implementing agency can be asked. In mains, analytical questions about its effectiveness and contribution to women's economic empowerment are possible. Recent years have seen an increased focus on government schemes and their impact on vulnerable sections of society. When answering questions, focus on providing a balanced perspective, highlighting both the scheme's strengths and weaknesses.