Lakhpati Didi Yojana 2026 — 3 Crore Women Achieved ₹1 Lakh Annual Income | New Target: 6 Crore by 2029: Helps rural Self-Help Group (SHG) women earn over ₹1 lakh annual household income — already crossed 3 crore beneficiaries; new target 6 crore by March 2029.Target Income: ₹1 Lakh / year. Achieved So Far: 3.01 Crore. New Target: 6 Crore by 2029. Loan Available: Up to ₹5 Lakh.Lakhpati Didi Yojana is a Government of India initiative launched in 2023 under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). Its goal is to enable women members of rural Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to earn a sustainable annual household income of at least ₹1,00,000 (one lakh rupees).
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Active SchemeUpdated: May 2026
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Lakhpati Didi Yojana 2026 — 3 Crore Women Achieved ₹1 Lakh Annual Income | New Target: 6 Crore by 2029
Helps rural Self-Help Group (SHG) women earn over ₹1 lakh annual household income — already crossed 3 crore beneficiaries; new target 6 crore by March 2029
Target Income
₹1 Lakh / year
Achieved So Far
3.01 Crore
New Target
6 Crore by 2029
Loan Available
Up to ₹5 Lakh
📖What is Lakhpati Didi Yojana 2026 — 3 Crore Women Achieved ₹1 Lakh Annual Income | New Target: 6 Crore by 2029?
Lakhpati Didi Yojana is a Government of India initiative launched in 2023 under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). Its goal is to enable women members of rural Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to earn a sustainable annual household income of at least ₹1,00,000 (one lakh rupees).
A "Lakhpati Didi" is technically defined as a woman SHG member with a sustainable annual household income of ₹1 lakh or more, maintained for a minimum of four agricultural seasons or business cycles, with an average monthly income of at least ₹10,000.
The original target was 3 crore Lakhpati Didis by March 2027. This was achieved ahead of schedule — by early 2026, 3.01 crore women had crossed the ₹1 lakh threshold. In February 2026, the Union Rural Development Minister announced the new target: 6 crore Lakhpati Didis by 2029-30. The scheme works alongside the Lakhpati Didi 2.0 expansion announced in Union Budget 2026-27, which provides interest-free loans of up to ₹5 lakh and community-owned SHE-Marts for market access.
✅Eligibility
Member StatusMust be a member of a registered SHG under DAY-NRLM
GeographyRural women in any state of India (DAY-NRLM operates everywhere except Delhi and Chandigarh)
AgeTypically 18 years and above — most SHG members are between 21-55 years
IncomeNo upper income limit to join the programme — goal is to raise income to ₹1 lakh+
SHG HistorySHG must be active and registered with regular savings record
Skill or PlanWillingness to take up training and start/scale a livelihood activity
Lakhpati Didi At a Glance
₹1 Lakh+
Annual income target
3.01 Cr
Already achieved
₹5 Lakh
Interest-free loan (2.0)
Mar 2029
New target year
Lakhpati Didi 2.0 — announced in Budget 2026-27
The Finance Minister announced an expanded version in Union Budget 2026-27 with three major upgrades: (1) interest-free loans up to ₹5 lakh for individual SHG members through the LokOS App, (2) community-owned SHE-Marts for direct market access, and (3) Self-Help Entrepreneur (SHE) initiatives — moving women from credit-supported livelihoods to enterprise ownership. The overall Gender Budget was also raised 11% to over ₹5 lakh crore.
📋What Does "Lakhpati Didi" Actually Mean?
The technical definition matters because it shapes who is counted and what counts as success. According to the Ministry of Rural Development:
A Lakhpati Didi is a woman member of a Self-Help Group (SHG) whose household earns ₹1,00,000 or more per year — sustainably.
Sustainable means the income must be maintained for at least four agricultural seasons or business cycles. A one-time good year does not qualify.
The average monthly income should be at least ₹10,000 across these cycles, from any combination of agriculture, livestock, micro-enterprise, services, or wage employment.
Important: This is household income, not just the woman's individual income. The programme treats the family economy as the unit, recognising that SHG members typically support their entire household through their earnings.
How a Woman Becomes a Lakhpati Didi
How a Woman Becomes a Lakhpati Didi
1
Join an SHG
Register with an existing SHG or form one with 10-20 women
2
Skill Training
Free training in dairy, food processing, tailoring, agriculture etc.
3
Loan / Capital
Interest-free loan up to ₹5 lakh via LokOS App
4
Earn ₹1 L+
Sustain over 4 cycles → become Lakhpati Didi
Are You Eligible to Become a Lakhpati Didi?
Are You Eligible to Become a Lakhpati Didi?
You qualify if
- You are a rural woman aged 18 or above
- You are a member of an active SHG (or willing to join one)
- Your SHG is registered under DAY-NRLM
- You have regular savings record in your SHG
- You have a Jan Dhan or regular bank account
- You are willing to take training and start a livelihood activity
You won't qualify if
- You live in Delhi or Chandigarh (DAY-NRLM is not implemented there)
- You are not a member of any SHG (must join first)
- Your SHG has been deregistered or is inactive
- You are unwilling to participate in training or livelihood activity
- Your SHG does not have a savings or credit history
Common Livelihoods Supported
Common Livelihoods Supported
Dairy & Livestock
Cow, buffalo, goat farming + milk supply
Food Processing
Pickles, papad, masala, snacks
Handicrafts & Textiles
Tailoring, weaving, embroidery
Agriculture & Allied
Vegetable cultivation, mushroom, beekeeping
Bank Sakhi / BC
Banking Correspondent role
Retail / Marts
SHE-Marts under Lakhpati Didi 2.0
3.01 Cr
Women already became Lakhpati Didis
Achieved a year ahead of the original March 2027 target. The new goal is 6 crore Lakhpati Didis by March 2029-30 — doubling the existing base in the next 3-4 years.
Lakhpati Didi vs Lakhpati Didi 2.0 (Budget 2026-27)
Lakhpati Didi vs Lakhpati Didi 2.0 (Budget 2026-27)
LAKHPATI DIDI 2.0 · YOURS
₹5 Lakh
interest-free loan + SHE-Marts
ORIGINAL (2023)
Training
+ skilling + SHG loan
MUDRA LOAN
₹50K-₹10L
with interest · banks
PMEGP
₹25K-₹25L
subsidy-based · KVIC
Lakhpati Didi — Key Milestones
Lakhpati Didi — Key Milestones
AUG 2023
Programme launched
PM Modi announces target of 2 crore Lakhpati Didis (later raised to 3 crore)
INTERIM BUDGET 2024
Target raised to 3 crore
Finance Minister announces enhanced target
SEP 2025
2 crore milestone
PM Modi announces 2 crore women have become Lakhpati Didis
EARLY 2026
3.01 crore achieved
Target of 3 crore crossed ahead of March 2027 deadline
FEB 2026
New 6 crore target
Minister Shivraj Chouhan announces new target by 2029-30
BUDGET 2026-27
Lakhpati Didi 2.0 launched
₹5 lakh interest-free loans + SHE-Marts announced by FM
💰How to Access the ₹5 Lakh Interest-Free Loan
Under Lakhpati Didi 2.0 (announced in Budget 2026-27), SHG women can access interest-free loans of up to ₹5 lakh for individual enterprise. The process is digital-first via the LokOS App:
Step 1: Ensure your SHG is active and registered on the DAY-NRLM portal. Your Bank Sakhi (a trained financial facilitator) will verify your individual savings and credit history.
Step 2: Meet your local Community Resource Person (CRP). They will create your digital profile in the Digital Aajeevika Register using the LokOS App.
Step 3: Present your micro-business idea — dairy unit, food catering, organic compost, tailoring, etc. The CRP uploads your plan for approval by Block officials.
Step 4: Once approved, the interest-free loan is disbursed to your bank account. A PM Jan Dhan Yojana account is recommended, as it offers additional overdraft facility.
Do not pay anyone to "register" you under Lakhpati Didi
There is no separate Lakhpati Didi registration form. You only need to be an active member of a DAY-NRLM SHG. If anyone asks for money — to register, to get a loan, or to make you a Lakhpati Didi — it is a scam. Approach your village's existing SHG, the Community Resource Person, or Bank Sakhi directly. All government services are free.
📝How to Apply
1
Join or form a Self-Help Group (SHG)
If your village already has an SHG under DAY-NRLM, join it. If not, form a new SHG with 10-20 women from your community. Approach your Block Mission Management Unit (BMMU) of NRLM for help with formation and registration.
2
Build savings and credit record
Your SHG must demonstrate at least 3-6 months of regular monthly savings to qualify for SHG-Bank linkage and government grants. Each member typically contributes ₹10-100 per month into the group savings.
3
Get trained for a livelihood
Through DAY-NRLM, you receive free skill training in your chosen livelihood — dairy, food processing, tailoring, agriculture, etc. Training is conducted at the Block / District level, often by RSETI (Rural Self Employment Training Institutes).
4
Apply for loan and start livelihood
After training, access interest-free loan (up to ₹5 lakh under Lakhpati Didi 2.0) via the LokOS App through your Community Resource Person. Start your livelihood, sustain it across 4 seasons / cycles, and you officially become a Lakhpati Didi.
ℹ️Lakhpati Didi target of 3 crore women has been achieved a year ahead of schedule. New target is 6 crore by March 2029-30. Lakhpati Didi 2.0 (Budget 2026-27) brings ₹5 lakh interest-free loans and SHE-Marts.
📅Important Dates & Schedule
Scheme LaunchedAugust 2023 (under DAY-NRLM)
3 Crore TargetAchieved early 2026 — ahead of March 2027 deadline
New Target6 crore Lakhpati Didis by March 2029-30
Lakhpati Didi 2.0Union Budget 2026-27 — ₹5 lakh interest-free loans launched
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❓Frequently Asked Questions
DAY-NRLM — nrlm.gov.in
nrlm.gov.in/
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📋 Official Sources & Verification
Information verified against official government portals and gazette notifications. Read our editorial process.
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Researched & verified from official sources
Last reviewed
May 2026
May 2026