About this scheme for women
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.
Support at a glance
| Scheme Name | Working Women Hostel Scheme 2026 — Subsidised Safe Hostel for Working Women |
| Launched By | Government of India |
| Launch Year | 1972 |
| Benefit | Affordable/subsidised safe hostel accommodation for working women — crèche for children — 900+ hostels across India |
| Category | Women |
| Last Verified | 5 September 2026 |
| Official Portal | https://wcd.nic.in/schemes/working-women-hostel |
कामकाजी महिला छात्रावास योजना — NGO/राज्य सरकार को ₹60 लाख तक grant (75% cost) Working Women Hostel बनाने के लिए। प्रत्येक hostel में crèche, mess, security अनिवार्य। ₹50,000/माह income तक की कामकाजी महिलाएं। 900+ hostels।
सस्ता और सुरक्षित छात्रावास — crèche बच्चों के लिए — 900+ hostels भारत में
What women beneficiaries receive
Affordable/subsidised safe hostel accommodation for working women — crèche for children — 900+ hostels across India
Which women qualify
- ✓Working women (employed, self-employed, apprentices, trainees) living away from home
- ✓Monthly income ≤ ₹50,000 per month
- ✓Widows, separated women, and single working women prioritised
- ✓Children up to 5 years of age can accompany the mother
- ✓Priority to SC/ST/OBC women and women from NER
Documents to keep ready
How to enrol
- 1Contact your State WCD department or search the list of 900+ operational hostels to find the nearest Working Women Hostel.
- 2Submit a written application to the hostel warden with an employment proof or offer letter showing you are working, self-employed, or a trainee.
- 3Attach Aadhaar Card, a recent photograph, and income proof (salary slip) showing monthly income within the ₹50,000 limit.
- 4Mention if you are a widow, separated, or single working woman, or belong to SC/ST/OBC/NER for priority allotment.
- 5If accompanying a child up to 5 years old, request the crèche/day-care facility mandated at the hostel.
- 6The grantee organisation (NGO, cooperative society, or state housing board) verifies documents and allots a room, subject to the 50-room capacity.
- 7Pay rent as per the hostel's subsidised structure and follow its residency rules for continued stay.
Official Government Portal
wcd.nic.in is the only authorised application channel, and the government charges nothing there — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
🔗Apply on wcd.nic.in/schemes/working-women-hostel