Women play a crucial role in India’s economic and social development. To empower them, the Indian government has launched various Mahila Shakti Yojanas—schemes designed to support women in entrepreneurship, skill development, education, financial independence, and social security. These schemes provide financial aid, loans, training, employment opportunities, and safety measures for women across different sectors.
This article explores some of the most important government programs for women and how they can benefit from them.
Table of Contents
1. Stand-Up India Scheme for Women Entrepreneurs
The Stand-Up India Scheme provides collateral-free loans from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore to women entrepreneurs, especially for setting up manufacturing, trading, or service-based businesses.
Benefits:
✔ Financial assistance for women to start their businesses
✔ No collateral required as the loan is backed by a government guarantee
✔ Flexible repayment period of up to 7 years
Eligibility:
- Women entrepreneurs above 18 years of age
- The business must be a new (greenfield) enterprise
- The applicant should not have defaulted on any previous loan
Where to Apply? – Any public or private sector bank
2. MUDRA Loan Scheme for Women (PMMY)
The Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) provides collateral-free business loans up to ₹10 lakh to micro and small enterprises. Women entrepreneurs get preferential treatment and lower interest rates under this scheme.
| Loan Category | Loan Amount | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Shishu | Up to ₹50,000 | Small vendors, home-based businesses |
| Kishor | ₹50,001 to ₹5 lakh | Expanding small businesses |
| Tarun | ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh | Established businesses |
Benefits:
✔ No collateral or guarantor required
✔ Lower interest rates for women entrepreneurs
✔ Loans can be used for expanding existing businesses
Where to Apply? – Banks, NBFCs, and Microfinance Institutions (MFIs)
3. Udyogini Scheme for Women Entrepreneurs
The Udyogini Scheme supports women from economically weaker sections by providing interest-free loans up to ₹3 lakh for business ventures.
Benefits:
✔ Interest-free loans for women from rural and semi-urban areas
✔ Special benefits for widows, disabled women, and women from SC/ST categories
✔ Financial aid for agriculture, small businesses, and retail shops
Eligibility:
- Women aged 18 to 55 years
- Family income should be less than ₹1.5 lakh per year
Where to Apply? – Public and private sector banks
4. Mahila E-Haat
Mahila E-Haat is an online platform developed by the government to help women entrepreneurs, self-help groups (SHGs), and NGOs sell their products online without middlemen.
Benefits:
✔ Free online platform for selling handmade goods, textiles, handicrafts, and food products
✔ Helps women entrepreneurs reach national and international customers
✔ No registration or commission charges
Where to Register? – www.mahilaehaat-rmk.gov.in
5. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme aims to promote the education and welfare of girl children in India. It provides financial incentives to families for educating their daughters.
Benefits:
✔ Financial assistance for girl child education
✔ Scholarships for meritorious girl students
✔ Awareness programs to prevent gender discrimination
Where to Apply? – Schools, Anganwadi centers, and district-level government offices
6. Working Women Hostel Scheme
The Working Women Hostel Scheme provides safe and affordable accommodation for women working away from their homes. The government subsidizes hostels with daycare facilities for children.
Benefits:
✔ Secure and affordable housing for working women
✔ Childcare support through daycare centers
✔ Available in both rural and urban areas
Where to Apply? – Ministry of Women & Child Development website or at district-level offices
7. Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK) – Microfinance for Women
The Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK) provides microfinance loans to women entrepreneurs to start small businesses, such as tailoring, handicrafts, and retail shops.
Benefits:
✔ Low-interest microfinance loans for women
✔ Encourages financial independence and self-employment
✔ No need for collateral
Where to Apply? – Through self-help groups (SHGs) and microfinance institutions (MFIs)
8. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) is a savings scheme for girl children that provides high interest rates and tax benefits. Parents or guardians can open an SSY account for a girl child and save for her education and marriage.
Benefits:
✔ High-interest rate of around 7.6% per annum (subject to revision)
✔ Tax-free savings under Section 80C
✔ Maturity amount can be used for higher education or marriage
Where to Apply? – Post offices and authorized banks
9. Nari Shakti Puraskar (Women Empowerment Award)
This is a national award given to women achievers who have contributed to women’s empowerment, business, education, social work, and science & technology. Winners receive a cash prize and recognition at the national level.
Benefits:
✔ Recognizes and rewards women leaders
✔ Encourages more women to enter entrepreneurship and leadership roles
Where to Apply? – Ministry of Women & Child Development website
10. One-Stop Centres (Sakhi) for Women’s Safety
Sakhi One-Stop Centres (OSCs) provide legal, medical, and psychological support to women facing domestic violence, sexual harassment, or other forms of abuse.
Services Provided:
✔ 24/7 emergency response for women in distress
✔ Legal and medical aid
✔ Shelter and rehabilitation support
Where to Get Help? – Nearest One-Stop Centre (Sakhi Centre) or call 181 Women’s Helpline
The Indian government has introduced several Mahila Shakti Yojanas to support women entrepreneurs, working women, students, and homemakers. Whether you need financial support for a business, educational assistance, job opportunities, or safety measures, these schemes can help you achieve independence and success.
Women across India should explore these schemes and take full advantage of them to build financially secure and empowered lives.
Would you like help applying for any of these schemes? Let me know!
