What You'll Learn
- Key upgrades in Lakhpati Didi 2.0 including the new ₹5 lakh loan limit for 2026.
- How SHE-Marts provide permanent retail points for SHG products nationwide.
- Detailed 2026 eligibility criteria for active SHG members and migrant women.
- Step-by-step application guide via the LokOS App and Digital Aajeevika Register.
Lakhpati Didi 2.0: The Evolution of Women Empowerment
Lakhpati Didi 2.0 has expanded its target to 3 crore women in 2026, up from the original 2 crore target set in 2024-25. The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development through the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). It aims to empower women in Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to achieve an annual household income of at least Rs 1 lakh through sustainable livelihood opportunities, skill development, and market linkages. As of March 2026, over 3 crore women have already achieved Lakhpati Didi status, exceeding the original target, and the government has now set a revised target of 6 crore Lakhpati Didis.
Lakhpati Didi Yojana 2.0: Interest-Free Loans Up to Rs 5 Lakh in 2026
The Lakhpati Didi initiative provides collateral-free loans through banks under the DAY-NRLM framework. Women SHG members can avail loans up to Rs 5 lakh for individual enterprises and up to Rs 2 crore for collective enterprises. Loans up to Rs 1.5 lakh are eligible for interest subvention for a maximum duration of 3 years, effectively making the first Rs 1.5 lakh interest-free. The loans are repayable over a maximum period of 5 years. This financial support enables women to start or expand businesses in dairy farming, poultry, food processing, tailoring, handicrafts, and other livelihood activities.
SHE-Marts: Community-Owned Retail Spaces for Women Entrepreneurs
Announced in the Union Budget 2026-27, SHE-Marts (Self Help Entrepreneur Marts) are community-owned retail shops that provide permanent market access for products made by women SHG members. Building on the success of the Lakhpati Didi scheme, which has already helped over 2.5 crore women achieve Rs 1 lakh annual income, SHE-Marts aim to transition Lakhpati Didis from earners to enterprise owners. The She-Marts initiative is supported by the LokOS app and the Digital Aajeevika Register (DAR), which streamline livelihood tracking, training, and market linkages for SHG women.
LokOS App and Digital Aajeevika Register
The LokOS app is the flagship digital platform for the DAY-NRLM ecosystem. It integrates the Digital Aajeevika Register, Lakhpati Didi tracking, and skill development modules. As of 2026, the DAR has expanded to cover data from 34 states and union territories. Women can use the app to register as Potential Lakhpati Didis (PLDs), track their income progress, access training modules, and connect with Community Resource Persons (CRPs). The app provides real-time monitoring of SHG activities and eliminates the need for multiple applications.
Skill Training and Livelihood Support Under Lakhpati Didi 2.0
Under Lakhpati Didi 2.0, women receive free skill training in high-demand trades aligned with emerging industry needs. Training programs cover dairy and animal husbandry, food processing, tailoring and embroidery, handicrafts, horticulture, and digital literacy. After training, women receive business guidance and market linkage support to help them achieve the Rs 1 lakh annual income target. The scheme also provides an overdraft facility of Rs 5,000 for every woman SHG member with a Jan Dhan account, and loans at a concessional interest rate of 7 percent per annum for SHGs.
Last Updated: May 31, 2026 | Source: Ministry of Rural Development (Official Website)