(THE GIST OF PIB) Lakhpati Didi Initiative

(FEBRUARY-2026)

Lakhpati Didi Initiative

Recently, the Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare directed officials to formulate a special, focused strategy and work on a war footing to achieve the revised target of creating 6 crore ‘Lakhpati Didis’.

About Lakhpati Didi Initiative:

A Lakhpati Didi is a Self-Help Group member who earns an annual household income of Rupees One Lakh (Rs. 1,00,000) or more.
This income is calculated for at least four agricultural seasons and/or business cycles, with an average monthly income exceeding Rs. 10,000 so that it is sustainable.
It focuses on the individual SHG women and not on the Self-Help Group (SHG).
This initiative facilitates diversified livelihood activities, by ensuring convergence across all Government departments/ Ministries, Private sector and Market players.
Objective: To encourage women to start micro-enterprises within their villages.
The initiative has been initiated by DAY-NRLM, wherein each SHG household is encouraged to take up multiple livelihood activities coupled with value chain interventions.

Lakhpati Didi Strategy:

Deepen, Strengthen and Expand Livelihood options: The households will be facilitated and enabled to take up diversified income-generating activities.
Capacity Building: A Cascade Training Strategy is adopted to enable training and handholding of Potential Lakhpati Didis (SHG members) from across all States and Union Territories in India.
Financial Assistance: DAY-NRLM serves as a catalyst, facilitating financial assistance and providing a platform for these women to thrive.
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development
Revised Target: 6 crore Lakhpati Didis by March 2029.