Lakhpati Didi Yojana 2026 aims to make 3 crore SHG women earn ₹1 lakh+ per year through free skill training, micro-credit and market access. No online form — join via your village Self-Help Group. Full guide.
लखपति दीदी योजना 2026 का लक्ष्य 3 करोड़ महिलाओं की सालाना आय ₹1 लाख+ करना है — मुफ्त ट्रेनिंग, माइक्रो-क्रेडिट और बाज़ार सहयोग से। कोई ऑनलाइन फॉर्म नहीं, गांव के स्वयं सहायता समूह से जुड़ें।
About this scheme
Lakhpati Didi Yojana 2026 — 3 Crore Women SHG Members Earn ₹1 Lakh+/Year | Free Skill Training
✅ Free skill training in high-demand trades + SHG livelihood support to earn ₹1 lakh+/year
Full Scheme Details →📢 Latest Update — June 2026:
The Lakhpati Didi Yojana continues to scale up in 2026 under the DAY-NRLM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission), with the government's stated target of helping 3 crore women from Self-Help Groups become "Lakhpati Didis" — earning a sustained household income of ₹1 lakh or more per year. There is still no separate individual online application — eligible rural women join through their village Self-Help Group under the State Rural Livelihood Mission, where existing SHG members are prioritised for skill training and bank linkage.
⚡ Key Facts at a Glance
The Lakhpati Didi Yojana is a flagship women's economic empowerment programme that aims to make 3 crore women from rural Self-Help Groups (SHGs) into "Lakhpati Didis" — meaning women whose household earns a sustained annual income of ₹1 lakh or more. Unlike a direct cash-transfer scheme, the Lakhpati Didi Yojana 2026 is a livelihood and income-generation programme: it equips women with free skill training, financial literacy, easy micro-credit through bank linkage, and market access to sell their products and run small enterprises. For example, a woman in a Self-Help Group in rural Maharashtra who takes dairy and tailoring training, accesses a low-interest SHG loan, and sells her products through the SHG federation can gradually grow her yearly household income past the ₹1 lakh mark and be certified as a Lakhpati Didi.
This programme works entirely through the existing DAY-NRLM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission) Self-Help Group network across India, so there is no new portal and no separate individual online form to fill. Women become eligible by being active members of a village SHG affiliated to their State Rural Livelihood Mission. In this complete 2026 guide, you'll learn exactly who qualifies, how to join through your SHG, what training and credit support you get, the documents you'll typically need, and how to raise a grievance if your group is not getting support. Learn more about the scheme on our Lakhpati Didi Yojana scheme page.
Who is Eligible for Lakhpati Didi Yojana — Complete Criteria 2026
- ✅ Must be a woman from a rural household
- ✅ Must be a member of a Self-Help Group (SHG) affiliated to the State Rural Livelihood Mission under DAY-NRLM
- ✅ Existing SHG members are prioritised for skill training, financial literacy and bank linkage
- ✅ Women willing to take up a livelihood activity — agriculture, dairy, livestock, handicrafts, small enterprise, LED bulb making, drone operation, etc.
- ✅ Women in SHGs that are ready to access micro-credit and link to banks for working capital
- ❌ NOT a direct cash transfer: do not expect a lump-sum amount credited to your bank account — this is a livelihood/income-generation programme
- ❌ No separate individual online application exists — women who are not in any SHG must first join a village Self-Help Group
How to Join Lakhpati Didi Yojana — Step-by-Step 2026
- Join or form a Self-Help Group (SHG): If you are not already in an SHG, contact the women's SHGs active in your village or your Gram Panchayat. Ask the existing group members or the village-level Community Resource Person (CRP) how to join. If no group exists, 10–20 women can come together to form a new SHG.
- Get your SHG affiliated to the State Rural Livelihood Mission: Your SHG should be registered/affiliated under DAY-NRLM through your block's State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM) office. The Block Mission Management Unit (BMMU) staff or Bank Mitra/Community Coordinator will guide the group through this.
- Start regular savings and internal lending: Active SHGs hold regular meetings, pool monthly savings, and do internal lending. A consistent savings and repayment track record makes the group eligible for larger bank loans (bank linkage) and for being selected under the Lakhpati Didi programme.
- Enrol for free skill training: Through DAY-NRLM, members can take free skill and livelihood training in areas such as agriculture, dairy, livestock, handicrafts, food processing, small enterprise, LED bulb making, and drone operation under the "Namo Drone Didi" component. Tell your group leader or SRLM coordinator which livelihood you want to pursue.
- Access micro-credit and bank linkage: Once the group has a good track record, apply through the SHG for a Community Investment Fund and bank loan to fund your livelihood activity — for example, buying a sewing machine, dairy animals, or raw material for handicrafts. The SHG and bank decide the loan amount.
- Sell through market access and grow income to ₹1 lakh+: Use the market linkage support offered through the SHG federation and SRLM — local markets, exhibitions, online platforms, and government procurement — to sell your products and services. As your household's annual income crosses ₹1 lakh, you can be identified and certified as a "Lakhpati Didi" by the mission.
Documents Required
| Document | Purpose | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Aadhaar Card | Identity proof + bank account linking | UIDAI printout / original |
| Bank Passbook (SHG / individual) | Savings, bank linkage and loan account | Active, Aadhaar-linked |
| SHG Membership Record | Proof of Self-Help Group membership | Group register / SRLM record |
| Residence / Domicile Proof | Confirm rural household and state | Ration card / voter ID |
| Passport-size Photograph | SHG and training records | Recent colour photo |
| Ration Card (if available) | Household and economic status proof | Original / photocopy |
Lakhpati Didi Yojana vs Direct Cash Schemes — Clearing Common Confusion
| Question | Reality of Lakhpati Didi Yojana |
|---|---|
| Is there a fixed monthly cash amount? | No. It is a livelihood/income-generation programme, not a direct cash transfer. The goal is ₹1 lakh+ annual income earned through work. |
| Is there a separate online application form? | No. Women join through their village SHG under the State Rural Livelihood Mission; there is no individual online registration. |
| Who is prioritised? | Existing Self-Help Group members are prioritised for skill training and bank linkage. |
| What support is actually given? | Free skill training, financial literacy, micro-credit/bank linkage, and market access for products and enterprises. |
| What livelihoods are covered? | Agriculture, dairy, livestock, handicrafts, small enterprise, LED bulb making, and drone operation (Namo Drone Didi), among others. |
| Which department runs it? | DAY-NRLM under the Ministry of Rural Development, through State Rural Livelihood Missions. |
Important Dates & Deadlines 2026
- 📅 Application Window: Open year-round — there is no fixed deadline; women can join an SHG at any time
- 📅 Skill Training Batches: Conducted on a rolling basis through the State Rural Livelihood Mission and partner agencies
- 📅 Bank Linkage / Credit: Available once the SHG has a steady savings and repayment record (typically after a few months of regular meetings)
- 📅 Lakhpati Didi Certification: Identified on an ongoing basis as a household's annual income crosses ₹1 lakh
- 📅 Programme Target: 3 crore Lakhpati Didis nationwide (evergreen national goal)
Frequently Asked Questions — Lakhpati Didi Yojana
Q: I haven't received any money from Lakhpati Didi Yojana — when does the cash come?
Lakhpati Didi Yojana is not a direct cash-transfer scheme, so there is no fixed amount that gets credited to your account just for enrolling. It is a livelihood and income-generation programme: you receive free skill training, financial literacy, easy micro-credit through your SHG's bank linkage, and market access to sell your products. The "₹1 lakh" refers to the targeted annual household income you can earn through your livelihood activity — not a one-time payout. Stay active in your SHG and pursue the training and loan support to grow your income.
Q: How do I check my Lakhpati Didi Yojana status or whether I'm selected?
Because there is no separate individual online portal for this programme, you check your status through your Self-Help Group and the State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM). Ask your SHG leader, Community Resource Person (CRP), or the Block Mission Management Unit (BMMU) staff whether your group has been taken up for skill training and bank linkage under the Lakhpati Didi initiative, and where your household stands on the income goal.
Q: I was told my application is "rejected" — how do I fix it?
There is no individual application that gets "approved" or "rejected" online for this scheme. If your SHG has not been selected for training or credit yet, the usual reasons are that the group is new, savings/repayment records are weak, or affiliation under DAY-NRLM is incomplete. Fix it by holding regular meetings, maintaining clean savings and repayment records, and asking your SRLM block staff to complete your group's affiliation and bank linkage. Then request inclusion in the next training batch.
Q: My loan or training amount seems wrong / less than expected — what should I do?
The micro-credit amount is decided jointly by your SHG and the linked bank based on the group's savings, track record, and the livelihood plan. If the sanctioned loan seems too low, discuss it in your SHG meeting and ask the bank's branch manager and your SRLM coordinator to review your group's grading and credit limit. Keeping accurate group books and a clear business plan for your activity (dairy, tailoring, etc.) helps justify a higher amount.
Q: Do I need to complete any eKYC or Aadhaar verification?
While there is no special eKYC just for this programme, your Aadhaar should be linked to your bank account for smooth SHG bank linkage, loan disbursal and any benefit routed through your account. Make sure your Aadhaar details and mobile number are updated at your bank branch so your SHG transactions and credit are not delayed.
Q: I'm a new applicant not in any SHG — how do I register?
Start by joining a women's Self-Help Group in your village, or form a new one with 10–20 women. Approach your Gram Panchayat, the village Community Resource Person, or the block-level State Rural Livelihood Mission office and ask to be linked under DAY-NRLM. Once your group is affiliated and saving regularly, you become eligible for the skill training, micro-credit, and market support that lead to Lakhpati Didi status. You can read related women's schemes on our central schemes page.
Q: Is Lakhpati Didi Yojana different in each state?
The programme runs through each State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM), so the specific training partners, livelihood activities promoted, and SHG federations can vary by state — but the core model is the same everywhere: SHG membership, skill training, financial literacy, bank linkage, and market access aimed at ₹1 lakh+ annual income. Many states also run their own women's income-support schemes alongside it — for example, you can compare with Maharashtra's Ladki Bahin Yojana.
Q: How do I file a complaint if my SHG is not getting any support?
First raise the issue with your Block Mission Management Unit (BMMU) and the District unit of your State Rural Livelihood Mission. If it is not resolved, you can file a grievance at the central public grievance portal pgportal.gov.in under the Ministry of Rural Development, or call the rural development / NRLM helpline numbers listed below. Keep your SHG name, village, block and bank details ready when you complain.
Helpline Numbers & Grievance Portal
- 📞 DAY-NRLM / Rural Development Support: Contact your State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM) and Block Mission Management Unit (BMMU)
- 🌐 Grievance Portal: pgportal.gov.in → Ministry of Rural Development → DAY-NRLM
- 🏢 Local Help: Gram Panchayat office, village Community Resource Person (CRP), and your SHG federation
- 🌐 More guides: Read other women and central schemes on our government scheme blog and browse all state and central schemes
📋 संक्षिप्त जानकारी (हिंदी में)
लखपति दीदी योजना का लक्ष्य स्वयं सहायता समूह (SHG) की 3 करोड़ महिलाओं को "लखपति दीदी" बनाना है, यानी जिनके परिवार की सालाना आय ₹1 लाख या उससे अधिक हो। यह कोई सीधी नकद योजना नहीं है — इसमें मुफ्त स्किल ट्रेनिंग, वित्तीय साक्षरता, आसान माइक्रो-क्रेडिट (बैंक लिंकेज) और उत्पादों/उद्यम के लिए बाज़ार सहयोग मिलता है। कोई अलग ऑनलाइन फॉर्म नहीं है — महिलाएं अपने गांव के स्वयं सहायता समूह के ज़रिए राज्य ग्रामीण आजीविका मिशन (DAY-NRLM) के तहत जुड़ती हैं और मौजूदा SHG सदस्यों को प्राथमिकता दी जाती है। शिकायत के लिए pgportal.gov.in पर ग्रामीण विकास मंत्रालय के अंतर्गत संपर्क करें।
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