Gujarat’s ambitious Self-Help Group scheme, launched on June 21, 2025, aims to generate 1 lakh jobs for women, fostering economic empowerment and rural development. By leveraging the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-NRLM, the initiative promotes entrepreneurship, skill development, and financial inclusion, transforming women into ‘Lakhpati Didis’ and driving sustainable growth across the state.
Gujarat’s SHG Initiative Targets 1 Lakh Jobs for Women
On June 21, 2025, Gujarat unveiled a transformative Self-Help Group (SHG) scheme under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), aiming to create 1 lakh jobs for women in rural and semi-urban areas. The initiative, launched by the state government in collaboration with the Ministry of Rural Development, seeks to empower women economically by fostering entrepreneurship, providing skill training, and ensuring access to affordable financial services.
The scheme builds on the success of DAY-NRLM, which has mobilized over 10.05 crore women nationwide into 90.90 lakh SHGs as of January 31, 2025. In Gujarat, over 5.2 lakh women have been organized into more than 47,000 SHGs, with a focus on creating sustainable livelihoods. The state’s new push aims to scale this impact, targeting job creation through micro-enterprises, agriculture-based ventures, and non-farm sectors like handicrafts and food processing.
Under the Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP), a sub-scheme of DAY-NRLM, Gujarat has already supported the formation of over 3,500 enterprises, with plans to double this number by 2026. Women are being trained in skills such as tailoring, food preservation, and digital marketing to establish small businesses. The Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP) further empowers women farmers, with over 60,000 women in Gujarat benefiting from agricultural interventions, including organic farming and value-added product marketing.
The scheme also emphasizes financial inclusion, with SHGs accessing over ₹7,500 crore in bank credit in Gujarat since 2013-14. The state government has partnered with e-commerce platforms to enhance market access for SHG products, aiming to help women achieve an annual income of ₹1 lakh, aligning with the national ‘Lakhpati Didi’ initiative. Non-performing assets (NPAs) for SHG loans in Gujarat remain low at 2.1%, reflecting the financial discipline of these groups.
To ensure the success of the job creation target, the Gujarat government is setting up dedicated training centers and SHG federations as Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) at the block and district levels. These federations will oversee skill development, monitor enterprise growth, and facilitate market linkages. The initiative also integrates with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), where SHG members participate as worksite supervisors and social auditors, further enhancing their leadership roles.
The scheme has garnered praise for its inclusive approach, with Union Minister for Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan highlighting Gujarat’s progress in a recent review meeting. He noted that the state’s focus on women-led enterprises is a model for others, with over 25,000 women already achieving ‘Lakhpati’ status through DAY-NRLM interventions. Gujarat’s Industries Commissionerate is also promoting SHG products under the Startup India framework, providing a toll-free helpline (1800 115 565) for support.
Challenges remain, including the need for consistent market access and advanced skill training to meet the ambitious 1 lakh job target. However, with robust government backing and community participation, Gujarat’s SHG scheme is poised to redefine women’s economic roles, fostering a new era of self-reliance and prosperity.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information from government sources, including the Ministry of Rural Development and Gujarat’s Industries Commissionerate, as well as reports from The Hindu and other credible outlets. Data reflects updates as of July 5, 2025. Readers are advised to verify details with official sources for the latest information.