What Is the Lakhpati Didi Scheme and How Can Women Benefit?
What does “Lakhpati Didi” mean?
“Didi” means elder sister, and is how women in SHGs are commonly addressed. A Lakhpati Didi is an SHG woman whose household earns at least ₹1 lakh a year, sustained across at least four agricultural seasons or business cycles, with an average monthly income above ₹10,000. This makes sure the income is steady and not a one-time gain.
The goal isn’t a cash handout. It’s to help women build livelihoods (farming, livestock, small businesses or services) that earn a lakh or more every year.
How the target has grown
| Stage | Target |
| Announced in August 2023 | 2 crore Lakhpati Didis |
| Raised in the Interim Budget, February 2024 | 3 crore Lakhpati Didis |
| Announced on 15 August 2026 (Independence Day) | 6 crore Lakhpati Didis, after the 3 crore target was surpassed |
Reports quote the Rural Development Ministry as aiming to reach 6 crore by 2029-30.
How the Lakhpati Didi initiative works
The initiative is not a separate application-based scheme. It works through the existing SHG network of DAY-NRLM, combining several kinds of support:
- Livelihood planning: each SHG household makes a plan for which activities can raise income, such as dairy, poultry, vegetable farming, tailoring or a small shop.
- Skill training: through Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs), community resource persons and other skilling programmes.
- Access to credit: bank loans to SHGs, the community investment fund, and linkages to government schemes.
- Market support: help with branding, packaging, fairs (like SARAS Aajeevika melas), and selling online through platforms such as GeM and ONDC.
- Technology: for example, under the “Drone Didi” initiative, selected SHG women are trained as drone pilots to provide agricultural spraying services.
Who can benefit?
- Women who are members of a Self-Help Group under DAY-NRLM, or who join one
- Mainly rural women from low-income households
- SHG members who want to start or grow a livelihood activity
There’s no separate online application for “becoming” a Lakhpati Didi. The status reflects income achieved through livelihood activities with the mission’s support.
How to join
- Find the SHG network in your village. Contact the Gram Panchayat, the block office, or the State Rural Livelihood Mission office (for example, Jeevika in Bihar or Kudumbashree in Kerala).
- Join or form an SHG. An SHG usually has 10–20 women from similar backgrounds who save regularly.
- Start saving and attend meetings. Regular savings and internal lending build the group’s credit record.
- Make a livelihood plan with the help of community resource persons.
- Take training and credit through the group to start or grow your activity.
- Sell smarter with the help of SHG federations, producer groups and markets.
Business ideas that help SHG women earn ₹1 lakh+
| Activity | Why it works |
| Dairy (2–3 animals) | Daily income from milk; collection centres in many villages |
| Poultry or goat rearing | Low investment, steady local demand |
| Vegetable or mushroom farming | Short crop cycles and quick sales |
| Tailoring and stitching | Year-round demand for school uniforms and local orders |
| Pickles, papad and spices | Easy to start; can be sold under an SHG brand |
| Beauty services | High local demand, especially for weddings and festivals |
| Agricultural drone spraying services | New, higher-income service for trained women |
For more ideas, see business ideas for women entrepreneurs.
What makes the difference
The women who reach and stay above ₹1 lakh a year usually:
- Combine two income sources (for example, dairy and tailoring) to reduce risk
- Keep simple records of income and expenses
- Repay group loans on time, which unlocks bigger loans
- Sell together as a group to get better prices
Frequently asked questions
What is the income criterion for a Lakhpati Didi?
A household income of ₹1 lakh or more a year, sustained over at least four agricultural seasons or business cycles.
Is Lakhpati Didi a cash scheme?
No. It isn’t a direct cash transfer. It helps SHG women build livelihoods through training, credit and market support.
How do I apply for Lakhpati Didi?
There’s no separate application. Join a Self-Help Group under DAY-NRLM through your Gram Panchayat, block office or state livelihood mission.
What is the current Lakhpati Didi target?
After surpassing the 3 crore target, the Prime Minister announced a new target of 6 crore Lakhpati Didis on 15 August 2026.
Can urban women benefit?
The Lakhpati Didi initiative is under the rural livelihoods mission. Urban women can explore SHGs under the urban livelihoods programme run by their municipal body.
Sources (checked 28 October 2026)
- Ministry of Rural Development, DAY-NRLM: aajeevika.gov.in
- PIB documents on Lakhpati Didi (2024)
- YourStory, “PM Modi sets target of 6 crore Lakhpati Didis”, August 2026
- News Arena India report quoting the Rural Development Minister on 6 crore by 2029-30
Suggested internal links: How SHGs are helping rural women start businesses · Rural business ideas and schemes · How to start an FPO
