As of May 2025, the Indian government has introduced and expanded several schemes aimed at empowering women across various sectors. These initiatives focus on financial independence, skill development, entrepreneurship, safety, and health. Below is a comprehensive overview of these schemes:
1. Subhadra Yojana (Odisha)
Launched on September 17, 2024, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Subhadra Yojana is a flagship welfare scheme targeting economically weaker women aged 21 to 60 in Odisha. With a budget of ₹55,825 crore for 2024–2029, the scheme aims to benefit over 1 crore women.(Wikipedia)
Key Features:
- Financial Assistance: Eligible women receive ₹10,000 annually, disbursed in two installments of ₹5,000 on Raksha Bandhan and International Women’s Day.(Wikipedia)
- Eligibility: Women aged 21–60 from economically weaker sections, excluding government employees, income-tax payers, and those receiving more than ₹1,500 monthly from other government schemes.(Wikipedia)
- Subhadra Debit Card: Beneficiaries are provided with a debit card to facilitate seamless transactions.(Wikipedia)
- Digital Incentives: Top 100 beneficiaries in each gram panchayat and urban area with the highest digital transactions receive an additional ₹500.(Wikipedia)
This scheme promotes financial inclusion and empowers women by providing direct financial support. (Wikipedia)
2. Lakhpati Didi Scheme
The Lakhpati Didi Scheme aims to ensure that women involved in Self-Help Groups (SHGs) achieve a sustainable annual income of at least ₹1 lakh. Initially targeting 2 crore women, the program has been scaled up to cover 3 crore women.(Krishi Jagran)
Key Features:
- Skill Development: Provides training in various sectors, including agriculture, animal husbandry, handicrafts, food processing, tailoring, and beauty care.(Finology Insider)
- Interest-Free Loans: Offers loans up to ₹5 lakh to eligible women to start or expand their businesses.(Finology Insider)
- Market Linkages: Assists women in connecting with markets and potential buyers to sell their products or services.(Finology Insider)
As of 2025, approximately 83 lakh SHGs have been formed, encompassing 9 crore women who are gradually transforming the rural socio-economic scenario through empowerment and self-reliance. (Krishi Jagran)
3. Namo Drone Didi Scheme
Introduced in November 2023, the Namo Drone Didi Scheme integrates women into modern agricultural practices by training them in operating drones for agricultural purposes.(Krishi Jagran)
Key Features:
- Training: Provides training to women in operating drones for tasks such as monitoring crop health, assessing irrigation needs, and applying fertilizers and pesticides efficiently.(Krishi Jagran)
- Provision of Drones: With a budget allocation of ₹1,261 crore, drones are being provided to 15,000 women SHGs through Krishi Vigyan Kendras across the country.(Krishi Jagran)
This scheme empowers women with advanced technological skills, positioning them as key stakeholders in the agricultural supply chain and improving their socio-economic status. (Krishi Jagran)
4. Mahila Samriddhi Yojana (Delhi)
Launched on International Women’s Day 2025 by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana offers ₹2,500 monthly to economically weaker women in Delhi.(India Today)
Key Features:
- Eligibility: Women aged 18–60 residing in Delhi with a family income below ₹3 lakh and not paying income tax.(India Today)
- Direct Financial Assistance: Provides a regular income source to fulfill daily expenses and enhance lifestyle.(India Today)
The scheme aims to empower women by providing them with a steady income, thereby improving their financial independence. (India Today)
5. Mahila Samman Savings Certificate (MSSC)
Introduced in Budget 2023-24, the MSSC is a small savings scheme available for two years, from April 2023 to March 2025.(Finology Insider)
Key Features:
- Interest Rate: Offers a fixed interest rate of 7.5% per annum.(Finology Insider)
- Investment Limit: Allows a minimum investment of ₹1,000 and a maximum of ₹2 lakh per account.(Finology Insider)
- Eligibility: Available to resident Indian women or the guardian of a minor girl child.(Finology Insider)
The scheme encourages savings among women and girls, boosting financial independence and security. (Finology Insider)
6. Stand-Up India Scheme
Launched on April 5, 2016, the Stand-Up India scheme promotes entrepreneurship among women and marginalized communities, including Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).(Krishi Jagran)
Key Features:
- Financial Support: Facilitates bank loans ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore for setting up greenfield enterprises in manufacturing, trading, or services sectors.(Krishi Jagran)
- Entrepreneurship Promotion: Encourages women to establish agribusinesses, agro-processing units, and other agriculture-related enterprises.(Krishi Jagran)
By providing financial support and encouraging entrepreneurial ventures, Stand-Up India empowers women to enhance their economic participation and leadership in various sectors. (Krishi Jagran)
7. PM-KISAN Scheme
Launched in 2019, the PM-KISAN scheme provides ₹6,000 annually in three installments through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to small and marginal farmers, including women.(Krishi Jagran)
Key Features:
- Financial Aid: Helps women farmers invest in seeds, fertilizers, machinery, and other agricultural inputs.(Krishi Jagran)
- Financial Inclusion: By linking payments to Aadhaar, the scheme ensures financial inclusion and access to credit.(Krishi Jagran)
As of February 24, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the 19th installment, benefiting 9.8 crore farmers, including 2.41 crore women. (Krishi Jagran)
8. PM-KUSUM Scheme
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Yojana, launched in March 2019, aims to provide energy security to farmers by promoting the use of solar energy in agriculture.(Krishi Jagran)
Key Features:
- Solar Energy Promotion: Includes the installation of grid-connected solar power plants, standalone solar pumps, and the solarization of existing grid-connected agricultural pumps.(Krishi Jagran)
- Women Empowerment: Women farmers benefit by reducing their dependence on diesel for irrigation, lowering operational costs, and generating additional income by selling surplus solar power.(Krishi Jagran)
This scheme promotes sustainable agricultural practices and empowers women by integrating them into the renewable energy sector. (Krishi Jagran)
9. Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme
In response to the financial challenges faced by small and marginal farmers, the government has increased the collateral-free loan limit under the KCC scheme from ₹1.6 lakh to ₹2 lakh.(Krishi Jagran)
Key Features:
- Collateral-Free Loans: Allows women farmers greater access to institutional credit without requiring collateral.(Krishi Jagran)
- Loan Limit Increase: The Budget for 2025-26 announced an increase in the loan limit under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme for KCC from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh.(Krishi Jagran)
This enhanced credit support fosters entrepreneurship among women farmers and strengthens their financial resilience. (Krishi Jagran)
10. Mahila E-Haat
Mahila E-Haat is an online marketing platform launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development to empower women entrepreneurs in India.(Nex News Network)
Key Features:
- Marketplace Access: Allows women to showcase and sell their products directly to consumers, eliminating middlemen.(Nex News Network)
- Support for Various Sectors: Supports sectors including handicrafts, clothing, and handmade items.(Nex News Network)
- Accessibility: Women from diverse backgrounds can register easily and reach customers nationwide.(Nex News Network)
This platform boosts individual livelihoods and encourages entrepreneurship among women. (Nex News Network)
11. Working Women Hostel Scheme
The Working Women Hostel Scheme promotes safe and affordable accommodation for working women, along with daycare facilities for their children, wherever possible.(India TV News)
Key Features:
- Accommodation: Provides safe and affordable housing for working women in urban, semi-urban, and rural areas.(India TV News)
- Childcare Facilities: Offers daycare facilities for children of working women.(India TV News)
The scheme is implemented in areas where