The Lakhpati Didi Yojana is one of the fastest-growing women-empowerment schemes in India, and in 2026 the government has pushed its target even higher. The scheme helps women in Self Help Groups (SHGs) build a sustainable yearly income of over ₹1 lakh through skill training, easy loans and new income opportunities such as drone services. This report explains what the Lakhpati Didi Yojana offers, who can join, and what it means for women in your family.
What is the Lakhpati Didi Yojana?
Launched as part of the government’s push to make rural women financially independent, the Lakhpati Didi Yojana supports members of women’s Self Help Groups formed under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). A ‘Lakhpati Didi’ is a woman whose SHG household earns at least ₹1 lakh a year on a sustained basis. The scheme provides the training, credit and market access that make this income possible, rather than a one-time cash handout.
The target has been raised in 2026
The programme began with a goal of turning 2 crore women into Lakhpati Didis, which was later raised to 3 crore. In 2026 the government set an even bigger ambition — to reach 6 crore Lakhpati Didis by 2029. This means far more women will get access to training and loans over the next few years, making it a good time to join an SHG if you have not already.
What benefits do you get?
The scheme works by combining several kinds of support so that a woman can start or grow a small enterprise:
- Free skill training in trades such as tailoring, food processing, handicrafts, LED bulb making, and running a small shop.
- Low-interest and interest-subsidised loans through SHG bank linkage, often ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh as the group’s track record grows.
- Financial literacy support to help women manage savings, budgeting and repayments.
- Market and digital access to sell products beyond the village, including through e-commerce.
- New income avenues such as the Namo Drone Didi initiative, under which thousands of SHGs are trained to operate and repair agricultural drones and earn by spraying fertiliser and pesticide for farmers.
Who is eligible?
The scheme is aimed at women who are members of a recognised Self Help Group under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission. Broadly, you should be an adult woman from a rural household, part of an active SHG, and willing to take up training and a small enterprise. There is no fixed upper income bar to join an SHG, but the benefits are targeted at low and middle-income rural families who want to raise their earnings.
How to join and become a Lakhpati Didi
If you or a woman in your family wants to benefit, the path is straightforward:
- Join a Self Help Group in your village, or form a new one with 10–20 women through your local NRLM or Block office.
- Take part in the training offered for your chosen trade or enterprise.
- Prepare a simple business plan with the help of the SHG and community resource persons.
- Apply for an SHG bank loan to start or expand your enterprise.
- Grow your income steadily until the household crosses ₹1 lakh a year and is counted as a Lakhpati Didi.
How it affects you
For a rural family, the biggest impact of the Lakhpati Didi Yojana is a second, steady income earned by the woman of the house — money that often goes towards children’s education, health and better food. Because the support is delivered through the SHG, women also gain confidence, a savings habit and a support network. If a woman in your household is already in an SHG, encourage her to take up the training and loan; if not, joining a group is the first step.
Lakhpati Didi Yojana 2026 — key facts
| Scheme | Lakhpati Didi Yojana |
| For whom | Women in Self Help Groups (rural) |
| Goal | Earn ₹1 lakh+ per year |
| 2026 target | 6 crore Lakhpati Didis by 2029 |
| Support | Free training + low-interest SHG loans |
| Linked | Namo Drone Didi (drone jobs) |
What to watch next
With the target raised to 6 crore, expect more training camps, larger loan limits and new enterprise options to be rolled out through SHGs over the next two to three years. Keep in touch with your local NRLM office or SHG federation for announcements, and be cautious of any private agent who asks for money to ‘enrol’ you — joining an SHG and accessing the Lakhpati Didi Yojana is free.
Documents you need to join
To join an SHG and access the Lakhpati Didi Yojana, keep your Aadhaar card, a bank account passbook and a passport-size photo ready. Your SHG will help with the rest of the paperwork for training and loans. Because everything is routed through the group, you do not need to run between offices on your own, which makes the Lakhpati Didi Yojana easy to access even for first-time applicants.
Related and official links
Apply and learn more through the official DAY-NRLM (Aajeevika) portal. On our site, explore more government schemes or read the latest scheme news.
Disclaimer: PMYojnaUpdates.com is an independent information portal and is not affiliated with any government body. Scheme rules can change — always confirm the latest details on the official portal the DAY-NRLM portal and your State Rural Livelihoods Mission.