👩 Women Government Schemes 2026
18 schemes — eligibility, registration & benefits
All Women Schemes (18)
PM Ujjwala Yojana 2.0 — Free LPG Connection
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana provides free LPG gas connections to women from below poverty line households to replace unhealthy cooking fuel usage.
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana 2026 — 8.2% Interest Girl Child Savings Scheme
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is a government-backed savings scheme for girl children offering one of the highest fixed interest rates (8.2% p.a.) with full tax exemption under Section 80C. Minimum deposit just Rs.250/year; maximum Rs.1.5 lakh/year. Account matures 21 years from opening or at marriage after age 18.
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana 2026 — Girl Child Education & Welfare Scheme
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) is a national mission launched in 2015 to address India's declining child sex ratio (CSR) and ensure the survival, protection, education, and empowerment of the girl child. The scheme operates across all 640 districts with a multi-ministry approach involving Women and Child Development, Health, and Education. Key interventions include community awareness campaigns against sex-selective abortion, free education support for girl students under the Sukanya Samriddhi and Udaan programmes, and Anganwadi-based health support. Financial incentives like Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana accounts are linked to BBBP to encourage families to invest in their daughters' future.
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) 2025
PMMVY provides Rs.5,000 cash incentive to pregnant and lactating women for the first living child to partially compensate for wage loss and encourage institutional delivery and proper nutrition.
DAY-NRLM Ajeevika 2026 — Self Help Group Loan ₹3 Lakh | aajeevika.gov.in
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) organises rural poor women into Self Help Groups (SHGs) and provides them access to bank credit, livelihood support, and social mobilisation. SHGs get revolving fund of ₹15,000, Community Investment Fund up to ₹2.5 lakh, and bank loans up to ₹3 lakh at subsidised rates.
Mission Vatsalya 2026 — Child Welfare & Protection | Child Care Institutions + Sponsorship ₹4,000/Month
Mission Vatsalya is the umbrella child protection and welfare scheme of the Government of India launched in 2021-22 (replacing earlier ICPS). It ensures every child lives in a safe and nurturing environment. Key benefits: Sponsorship Scheme (₹4,000/month for vulnerable children), Foster Care Support, Child Care Institutions (CCIs) for orphans and abandoned children, and After Care (₹2,000/month for youth aged 18-21 leaving CCIs).
Lakhpati Didi Yojana 2026 — 3 Crore Women SHG Members Earn ₹1 Lakh+/Year | Free Skill Training
Lakhpati Didi Yojana is the Government of India's ambitious initiative to make 3 crore women SHG (Self Help Group) members earn ₹1 lakh or more per year through skill development, micro-enterprise support, and livelihood enhancement. Announced by PM Modi in 2023, it provides free skill training in LED bulb making, plumbing, drone repair, solar panel installation, and other high-demand trades. Drone Didi is a subset of this initiative.
Namo Drone Didi 2026 — 15,000 Women SHG Drones | Agricultural Spraying | ₹8 Lakh Subsidy
Namo Drone Didi is a Government of India scheme to provide 15,000 agricultural drones to women SHG (Self Help Group) clusters for crop spraying and agri-services. Each SHG cluster (10-15 SHGs) gets a drone with 80% subsidy (up to ₹8 lakh), free training for the woman pilot, and a guaranteed income of ₹1 lakh/year from drone rental services to farmers in their area.
Mission Shakti 2026 — One Stop Centre + Nirbhaya Fund + Ujjwala | WCD Women Safety Umbrella Scheme
Mission Shakti is the Ministry of Women and Child Development's flagship umbrella scheme for the safety, security, and empowerment of women. Launched in 2021-22, it consolidates multiple women safety schemes into two sub-schemes: SAMBAL (safety/support) and SAMARTHYA (empowerment). SAMBAL covers: One Stop Centres (OSC) — 733+ centres for distress women; 181 women helpline; PM Matru Vandana Yojana maternity benefit; Swadhar Greh (shelter homes). SAMARTHYA covers: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao; Ujjwala anti-trafficking; Nari Adalats. Nirbhaya Fund projects also channelled through Mission Shakti.
One Stop Centre (OSC) Sakhi 2026 — Free Support for Women in Distress | wcdhry.gov.in
One Stop Centre (OSC) Sakhi is a centrally-sponsored scheme under the Ministry of Women and Child Development that provides integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence — domestic violence, sexual assault, acid attacks, trafficking, honour crimes, and more. OSCs (called 'Sakhi' centres) provide under one roof: emergency response, medical assistance, legal aid, psychological counselling, temporary shelter (up to 5 days), and police facilitation. There are 800+ OSCs operational across all districts of India. Helpline: 181 (free 24x7). Women can also call 112 (police emergency). OSCs are co-located with hospitals for easy access. Services are completely FREE. The scheme covers all women — regardless of religion, caste, age, or marital status. NRI women in distress also covered. Budget: ₹750 crore from Nirbhaya Fund. Services available 24x7.
Nirbhaya Fund 2026 — ₹10,000 Crore Women Safety Initiative | wcd.nic.in
Nirbhaya Fund is a non-lapsable corpus of ₹10,000 crore set up by the Government of India in 2013 (post the December 2012 Delhi gang-rape case) to fund projects and schemes for the safety and dignity of women. The fund is not a direct-benefit scheme — it finances government-run safety infrastructure. Projects funded under Nirbhaya Fund include: One Stop Centres (OSC Sakhi) — 800+ crisis support centres; Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) — Dial 112; Safe City projects in 8 cities; CCTV cameras in public transport; Women Helpline 181; Criminal Law Amendment; Fast Track Courts for sexual assault; Central Victim Compensation Fund (CVCF). Citizens benefit indirectly — through better safety infrastructure, faster courts, and direct services like OSC (free shelter + legal aid) and Women Helpline 181.
Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK) 2026 — Block-Level Women Empowerment Centres | wcd.nic.in
Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK) is a centrally sponsored scheme under the Ministry of Women and Child Development launched in 2017 as part of the umbrella Mission Shakti. MSKs provide a one-stop convergence point for women in rural areas — connecting them to government schemes, skills training, health services, legal aid, digital literacy, and market linkage. MSKs operate at three levels: National/State level (Knowledge Centres at NIPCCD/SIRDs), District level (Women Resource Centres at 640 aspirational/backward districts), and Block level (community mobilisation through 920 blocks). Student volunteers engage with village communities. Key services: Awareness of government schemes (PMJDY, PM Ujjwala, PM Awas), skill training referral, registration for welfare schemes, counselling, health camps. Budget: ₹972 crore (2017-22, extended to 2025-26).
Working Women Hostel Scheme 2026 — Subsidised Safe Hostel for Working Women | wcd.nic.in
Working Women Hostel Scheme is a central government scheme under the Ministry of Women and Child Development that promotes construction and expansion of hostels for working women (including widows) living away from home in urban, semi-urban, and rural areas. The scheme provides grant assistance to NGOs, cooperative societies, state governments, municipal bodies, and state housing boards for building/expanding Working Women Hostels. Grant: up to 75% of project cost (max ₹60 lakh for new hostel) or up to 60% for expansion. Each hostel must have at least 50 rooms. Facilities mandated: crèche (day care) for children up to 5 years of residents, common area, security, mess. Rent subsidy: women with income ≤ ₹50,000/month can stay; those with income ≤ ₹20,000/month may get priority. Hostel managed by the grantee organisation. Over 900 operational hostels across India. To find nearest hostel: contact State WCD department.
National Crèche Scheme 2026 — Free Day Care for Children of Working Mothers | wcd.nic.in
National Crèche Scheme (NCS) is a central government programme under the Ministry of Women and Child Development that provides day-care facilities (crèches) for children aged 6 months to 6 years of working mothers — including daily wage earners, construction workers, domestic workers, farmers, and other women in employment. Crèches are run by NGOs, civil society organisations, and self-help groups with central funding. Services at each crèche: day care, supplementary nutrition, health check-ups, immunisation, pre-school education, recreational activities. Monthly parent contribution: ₹20/child (BPL) or ₹100/child (non-BPL). Government pays ₹5,000-8,000 per crèche per month to the operating organisation. Over 9,000 crèches operational covering 1.35 lakh children. In 2023, the scheme was revised under 'Mission Shakti — Supporting Urban, Rural and Sub-urban Working Women with a Child Care Facility (SUWC)' name with enhanced funding.
STEP Scheme 2026 — Support to Training & Employment Programme for Women
Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP), launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, is a key Government of India scheme that empowers women aged 16 years and above by providing skill training in employment-relevant sectors as well as entrepreneurship development training. The scheme is implemented through Public Sector Organisations, District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs), Federations, Cooperatives, and registered Voluntary Organisations (NGOs). STEP covers skill training in sectors such as Agriculture & Horticulture, Food Processing, Handlooms & Handicrafts, Tailoring, Stitching, Embroidery, Zari work, Computer & IT-enabled services, Gems & Jewellery, Travel & Tourism, Hospitality, and Spoken English — combining technical skills with soft skills, workplace readiness, and entrepreneurship know-how. Project grants of up to ₹2 crore per project per year are given to approved organisations to train 50–500 women each. The aim is to make women economically independent through wage employment or self-employment.
Mahila e-Haat 2026 — Free Online Marketplace for Women Entrepreneurs
Mahila e-Haat is a unique direct online marketing platform launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development through the Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK) — exclusively for women entrepreneurs, women's Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and women-led NGOs/cooperatives to showcase and sell their handmade and unique products to buyers across India. The platform eliminates middlemen, ensuring that women retain maximum profits from their sales. Mahila e-Haat allows free listing — there is NO registration fee, listing fee, or commission charged by the government. The platform has onboarded 3 lakh+ women entrepreneurs since launch and supports products in 18+ categories: handicrafts, textile and clothing, jewellery, home decor, bags and accessories, ready-to-eat foods, organic produce, ayurvedic and herbal products, gift items, paintings and artwork, and more. Buyers transact directly with the seller via her contact details; Mahila e-Haat acts purely as a discovery platform.
TREAD Scheme 2026 — Trade Related Entrepreneurship Assistance & Development for Women: 30% Grant on ₹30 Lakh Loan | msme.gov.in
TREAD (Trade Related Entrepreneurship Assistance and Development) is a Ministry of MSME scheme specifically designed to empower women from rural and semi-urban areas to start income-generating activities and micro-enterprises. The scheme provides a 30% grant on loans given to women through NGOs: Loan amount range: Up to ₹30 lakh to a group of women / NGO for lending to individual women members. Government pays 30% grant directly to the lending institution (NABARD/SIDBI/other lending agencies), reducing the loan principal. The remaining 70% is lent to women at subsidized rates. Activities covered: Any legitimate income-generating activities — handicrafts, small manufacturing, services, food processing, horticulture, animal husbandry, etc. NGO plays a crucial role: identifies women beneficiaries, trains them, ensures proper utilization, and provides credit guarantee. An integrated non-formal training and counselling component is also funded.
PM Palna 2026 — National Creche Scheme: Free Daycare for Children of Working Women | wcd.nic.in
PM Palna (PM Palna 1.0) is the revamped National Creche Scheme under the Ministry of Women & Child Development, providing safe, stimulating day-care facilities for children aged 6 months to 6 years of working mothers. Creches are set up at community/workplace locations and provide: Full-day care and supervision, nutrition (morning snack + lunch), age-appropriate learning and play activities, health monitoring and immunization support, rest facilities, and safe indoor/outdoor play areas. Creches are managed by eligible NGOs, community organizations, or local bodies empanelled by the ministry. Cost per child: ₹20/day nominal fee (waived for BPL/AAY families). Target: 2.5 lakh creches serving 25 lakh children by 2026. PM Palna is the primary government mechanism for enabling women in the unorganized sector to join the workforce without worrying about childcare. States/UTs share 60:40 funding with Centre (90:10 for NE/Himalayan states).
About Women Government Schemes in India 2026
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao operates in 640+ districts to improve girl child birth ratio and school retention. PM Matru Vandana Yojana delivers ₹5,000 maternity cash transfer in three installments for a woman's first live birth. Stand Up India helps SC/ST and women entrepreneurs access ₹10 lakh–₹1 crore collateral-free bank loans. DAY-NRLM Ajeevika has organised 90 lakh+ SHGs (8.6 crore women) with institutional credit and market linkages. Mahila Shakti Kendra has community-level support workers covering 6.27 lakh villages. Apply via wcd.nic.in, the district CDPO office, or your nearest Bank/CSC depending on the scheme.