Lakhpati Didi Scheme (DAY-NRLM)

The Lakhpati Didi Scheme is a transformative national initiative launched by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). With a target of creating 3 Crore 'Lakhpati Didis' across rural India, the program empowers rural women belonging to Self-Help Groups (SHGs) by providing vocational skill training, financial literacy, affordable micro-credit, and national market linkages so that every participating household achieves a sustainable annual income of at least ₹1,00,000 (₹1 Lakh).

Under the Lakhpati Didi initiative, women enrolled in Gram Panchayat-level SHGs are mobilized and assisted in preparing tailored Micro-Investment Plans (MIP). Based on local market opportunities and personal aspirations, women receive structured training in high-income enterprise activities such as agro-ecological farming, dairy management, poultry, mushroom cultivation, solar lamp assembly, tailoring cooperatives, food processing, LED bulb making, and advanced technological fields like agricultural drone operations under the 'Namo Drone Didi' program. Funding is facilitated through the SHG's Community Investment Fund (CIF) and concessional bank credit linkages.

Key components of financial and operational assistance under the Lakhpati Didi Scheme include: 1. Enterprise Skilling & Mentorship: Free vocational training across 20+ agricultural, non-farm, and service trades, guided by experienced Krishi Sakhis, Pashu Sakhis, and Bank Sakhis. 2. Low-Interest Working Capital: Access to Revolving Funds (RF) of ₹20,000 to ₹30,000 and Community Investment Funds (CIF) of up to ₹1.5 Lakh per SHG, alongside individual enterprise bank loans up to ₹5 Lakh under priority sector lending. 3. Namo Drone Didi Support: Selected women SHG members receive professional drone pilot training and government-funded agricultural drone kits (costing up to ₹10 Lakh with 80% subsidy) to provide aerial pesticide/fertilizer spraying services to village farmers for ₹300–₹500 per acre. 4. Packaging and Brand Building: Direct support for FSSAI registration, packaging, branding, and barcoding for traditional food products (like pickles, spices, papads, pulses, honey). 5. Financial Inclusion: Every member gets a personal bank account, PMJJBY/PMSBY insurance coverage, and digital payment POS/QR access.

To participate in the Lakhpati Didi initiative: • Gender: Must be a female citizen aged between 18 and 60 years. • Residence: Must be a resident of a rural area / village covered under the DAY-NRLM program. • SHG Membership: The applicant must be an active member of a registered Women's Self-Help Group (SHG) associated with a Village Organisation (VO) and Cluster Level Federation (CLF). • Enterprise Commitment: Must be willing to undertake skill development and initiate an economic enterprise (agricultural, livestock, artisan, or service activity).

The documentation process is handled directly through your local Self-Help Group: 1. Applicant's Aadhaar Card (mandatory for identity and DBT linkage). 2. SHG Member Passbook / Group Registration details. 3. Individual Bank Account Passbook (Aadhaar-seeded). 4. Ration Card / Proof of Rural Residence. 5. 2 Passport-sized Photographs. 6. Simple Business Activity Plan / Micro-Investment Plan (MIP) approved by the SHG.

• Aadhaar Card of the woman applicant
• Self-Help Group (SHG) Membership Proof / Passbook
• Individual and SHG Savings Bank Account Details
• Ration Card / Proof of Rural Residence
• Passport-size Photographs & Active Mobile Number
• Micro-Investment Plan (MIP) / Business Proposal vetted by SHG

Joining the Lakhpati Didi program is organized at the grassroots village level in 4 steps: Step 1 — Join or Contact Your Village SHG: If you are not already a member, join a registered Women's Self-Help Group (SHG) in your Gram Panchayat by contacting the local Gram Pradhan, Anganwadi worker, or Village Organization (VO) coordinator. Step 2 — Household Livelihood Assessment: Participate in the Lakhpati Didi baseline survey conducted by the Village Organization and Community Resource Persons (CRPs) to evaluate your current household income and choose a preferred trade (e.g. goat rearing, honey beekeeping, tailoring, bakery, drone services). Step 3 — Free Skill Training: Attend the specialized training workshop organized at your Block Resource Centre (BRC) or Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSETI). Step 4 — Credit Disbursement & Enterprise Launch: Submit your Micro-Investment Plan (MIP) to your SHG. The group approves and disburses the credit from the Community Investment Fund or bank linkage. Start your business with continuous technical handholding from local Krishi/Pashu Sakhis.

The Lakhpati Didi mission is actively rolling out nationwide through 2026. Livelihood surveys, SHG batch formations, and credit linkages operate continuously throughout the year at all Block Development Offices (BDO).

• Borrowing from informal high-interest money lenders instead of utilizing the formal low-interest SHG loan mechanisms. • Not attending the practical training sessions or failing to maintain proper individual sales/expense records in the SHG register. • Missing regular monthly SHG meetings or defaulting on internal group savings contributions, which reduces the SHG's credit rating with banks. • Producing products without basic quality and packaging standards, making it harder to sell at regional Saras fairs or markets.

Collaborate closely with your group's Bank Sakhi and CRP. Focus on diversified livelihood activities (e.g. combining poultry farming with organic vegetable cultivation) to maintain steady cash flow throughout the year.