Lakhpati Didi Yojana: Women Can Now Avail ₹5 Lakh Interest-Free Loans to Build Businesses

Lakhpati Didi Yojana
In a bid to promote economic self-reliance among women, the Central Government has introduced the ‘Lakhpati Didi Yojana’, a transformative scheme designed to empower women through entrepreneurship and skill development. Launched in 2023, this scheme aims to create a robust ecosystem for women-led businesses by offering interest-free loans up to ₹5 lakh — particularly benefiting those associated with Self Help Groups (SHGs).

A New Era for Women Entrepreneurs

Lakhpati Didi Yojana is a cornerstone of the government’s broader mission to boost women’s participation in India’s economy. It seeks to equip women with the tools and financial resources to start or expand their own enterprises across diverse sectors including tailoring, handicrafts, food processing, and digital services. By waiving interest on loans, the scheme significantly reduces the financial burden on aspiring women entrepreneurs, allowing them to focus on growth and sustainability.

Who Is Eligible?

To ensure targeted support, the scheme comes with specific eligibility conditions:

  • Only women belonging to SHGs (Self Help Groups) registered with the government can apply.

  • Annual household income must be ₹3 lakh or less.

  • No member of the applicant’s family should be employed in a government job.

These criteria aim to prioritize economically weaker women from rural and semi-urban areas who often lack access to formal credit and support systems.

Empowering Through Skill and Finance

Before receiving financial assistance, eligible women will undergo vocational and business training under a government-led Skill Development Program. The curriculum includes practical training in tailoring, food packaging, handicrafts, digital literacy, and other market-relevant fields.

Post-training, women can apply for interest-free loans ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh to kickstart their businesses. The initiative is designed not just as a financial aid program, but as a full-fledged economic inclusion model that enables sustainable income generation.

The government has set an ambitious target of connecting 3 crore women under this scheme, envisioning a future where women are not just contributors, but leaders in local economic growth.

How to Apply for Lakhpati Didi Yojana

  1. Join a Self Help Group: The applicant must be an active member of a registered SHG.

  2. Submit a Business Plan: Prepare a detailed and viable business proposal in collaboration with your SHG. This should outline the sector of interest, investment requirements, and potential revenue.

  3. Application Review: The SHG submits the business plan to the local government department, where officials evaluate the feasibility and approve eligible applications.

  4. Loan Disbursal: Upon approval, the woman entrepreneur will receive an interest-free loan directly into her bank account.

Documents Required

To apply, the following documents are necessary:

  • Aadhaar Card

  • PAN Card

  • Income Certificate

  • Bank Passbook

  • Passport Size Photograph

  • Mobile Number

  • SHG Membership Certificate

  • Approved Business Plan

A Step Toward Inclusive Growth

Lakhpati Didi Yojana isn’t just a welfare scheme — it is a strategic move toward inclusive economic development. By providing women with capital, skills, and community support, the scheme is expected to boost household income, reduce dependency, and drive rural development. As India continues to embrace digital and grassroots entrepreneurship, initiatives like this are critical to creating a truly self-reliant and empowered Bharat.

Author Profile

Kuldeep Singh Chundawat
Kuldeep Singh Chundawat
My name is Kuldeep Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.