India’s Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission has surpassed key targets for the fiscal year 2024-25, with more than 10 crore rural women mobilized into self-help groups, the Ministry of Rural Development said on Tuesday.
The initiative, which operates across 28 states and six union territories, provides financial and marketing support to enhance incomes and improve living standards for women from economically weaker sections.
According to ministry data, over 90.90 lakh SHGs had been formed as of Feb. 28, 2025, with total capital support exceeding ₹51,368 crore ($5.95 billion).
The scheme has also facilitated bank credit worth ₹10.20 lakh crore for SHGs since the 2013-14 financial year. In the current fiscal, loan disbursal to SHGs reached ₹15.78 lakh crore, surpassing the initial target of ₹14.31 lakh crore.
State-Wise Performance
Several states exceeded their assigned goals in both capital support and credit disbursement. Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal led in SHG capitalization, while Andhra Pradesh and Telangana saw the highest loan disbursements.
However, some states fell short. In Telangana, only ₹453 lakh of the targeted ₹1,505 lakh in capital support was achieved. Kerala, Punjab, and Rajasthan also recorded lower-than-expected figures.
Market Expansion and E-Commerce Push
The government has bolstered efforts to market SHG products by hosting national and state-level Saras Melas. Additionally, partnerships with e-commerce platforms, including Flipkart, Amazon, and Meesho, have expanded market access for SHG-made goods.
The ministry has also launched its e-commerce platform, eSaras.in, which is integrated with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). SHG products are now available on 11 ONDC-affiliated platforms, such as Paytm, Snapdeal, and Mystore.
Agricultural and Entrepreneurship Initiatives
Under the Mahila Kisan program, which promotes agroecological practices, over 94 lakh women farmers have been supported, exceeding the target of 75.8 lakh. Additionally, more than 51 lakh women have been assisted in establishing agricultural nutrition gardens.
Meanwhile, the Startup Village Entrepreneurship Program backed 44,894 enterprises, falling short of the 61,445 target. States such as Assam, Bihar, and Kerala led enterprise formation, while Odisha failed to report any progress under this initiative.
The DAY-NRLM initiative remains a cornerstone of India’s rural poverty alleviation strategy, aiming to provide sustainable income sources for marginalized women. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding the program, strengthening financial inclusion, and further integrating SHGs into mainstream markets.
“The mission’s success is a testament to the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of rural women. We will continue to enhance their opportunities and access to markets,” said Minister of State for Rural Development Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani in a statement to Parliament.
