Budget 2026: In the budget revealed on February 1, the government highlighted the importance of women-led development and economic empowerment. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced schemes that are directly tied to women’s income, market access, and entrepreneurship. This budget aims to foster sustainable livelihoods and business models for women at the grassroots level. Check out the key points regarding women-related announcements in Budget 2026.
Lakhpati Didi Yojana
Budget 2026 has announced a further enhancement of the Lakhpati Didi program. The government is shifting its focus from just credit-linked livelihoods for women to encouraging them towards sustainable entrepreneurship. This means women can now progress beyond small businesses to establish stable and scalable enterprises.
She-Mart Scheme
One of the major announcements in Budget 2026 is about community-run She-Marts. These self-help entrepreneur marts will be retail outlets owned by women, allowing self-help groups to sell their products directly. This initiative will give women direct access to the market and help boost their incomes.
SHG Entrepreneurs
The government has recognized that simple bank loans won’t be enough to support women’s entrepreneurship on a large scale. Hence, SHE-Marts will receive backing through improved and innovative financing options. This will bolster women-led SHG businesses.
Budget 2026 particularly focuses on women in rural and semi-urban regions. The strategy is to cultivate local retail and business ecosystems that empower women to create jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities in their own communities.
Who’s going to take charge?
Cluster-level federations are set to be crucial in managing and expanding SHE-Marts. This will give organized support to women self-help groups and assist them in growing their businesses.
What’s the Lakhpati Didi Scheme all about?
The Lakhpati Didi initiative, managed by the Ministry of Rural Development, is designed to empower rural women to launch small businesses that can bring in a steady income of at least 100,000 rupees each year. Through this program, women learn skills like plumbing, making LED bulbs, using drones, and repairs, which helps them become self-sufficient.
Key takeaway from Budget 2026
During his budget address, the Finance Minister mentioned that these initiatives will have a direct positive impact on the youth, women, farmers, and investments in the country. The government aims to boost productivity, enhance competitiveness, and uphold a robust economy despite global challenges.