The central government is implementing the Lakhpati Didi Yojana to empower women in rural regions and foster financial self-reliance. Operated under the aegis of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM), this flagship initiative offers comprehensive skill training and financial support to women associated with Self-Help Groups (SHGs). The core objective of the scheme is to assist beneficiary households in elevating their annual family income to at least Rs 1 lakh or higher.
Eligibility Criteria and Key Requirements
To qualify for the benefits under this welfare program, the government has defined specific eligibility guidelines. The scheme is exclusively open to female applicants. Candidates must fall within the age group of 18 to 50 years. Additionally, active membership in a registered Self-Help Group (SHG) is mandatory. Participating women can initiate or expand economic activities in sectors such as agriculture, animal husbandry, tailoring and embroidery, handicrafts, food processing, and small-scale domestic enterprises to boost their household earnings.
Collateral-Free Loans and Interest Subsidy Structure
To remove financial bottlenecks that hinder women from starting new businesses, the program incorporates several major credit facilities. SHG members receive collateral-free loans up to Rs 5 lakh to establish their commercial enterprises. On individual loans up to Rs 1.5 lakh, an interest subsidy is provided for a period of 3 years. Furthermore, an interest grant is applicable on SHG-level loans up to Rs 3 lakh. For collective entrepreneurial ventures, female Self-Help Groups can access collateral-free bank loans up to Rs 20 lakh to fund group projects.
Special Concessions in Rajasthan
To further support women entrepreneurs at the state level, the Rajasthan government has introduced special relaxations under the scheme. In Rajasthan, the borrowing limit for women under this initiative has been set up to Rs 1.5 lakh while the interest rate has been slashed to just 1.5 percent. This state-specific relief significantly lowers the cost of credit, enabling rural women to build and expand sustainable enterprises with minimal financial strain.
Free Skill Development, Drone Training, and Banking Perks
Beyond capital support, the initiative places a strong emphasis on capacity building through free vocational training modules. Beneficiaries receive training in modern skill sets, including drone operation under the Drone Didi program, LED bulb manufacturing, organic farming techniques, tailoring and embroidery, food processing, and digital banking services. Additionally, female SHG members holding Jan Dhan accounts are eligible for an overdraft facility of up to Rs 5,000. Through these combined measures, rural women are building independent livelihoods and contributing meaningfully to the national economy.
