The Mukhyamantri Lakhpati Didi Yojana (or Lakhpati Didi) is an initiative designed to financially empower women members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) by enabling them to earn a sustainable income of at least ₹1,00,000 per annum (household basis). It aims to promote entrepreneurship, skills, livelihood, and social inclusion among rural women. The scheme is active in Gujarat and being adopted more broadly under Government of India policy.
What is “Lakhpati Didi”?
A Lakhpati Didi is a woman SHG member whose household income exceeds ₹1,00,000 annually. To qualify, this income threshold must be sustained through either agricultural cycles (at least four seasons) or business cycles. Thus, the member should be engaged in income-generating activity over a period. This model is not just about one-time earnings but sustained livelihood activities. (lakhpatididi.gov.in)
Becoming a Lakhpati Didi means you move beyond subsistence to having a stable income, enable your household to cross certain financial thresholds, and be an example in your community. It also means access to additional support, training, and opportunities. (lakhpatididi.gov.in)
Key Objectives
- To create financially self-reliant women from SHGs, so their families earn at least ₹1 lakh/year. (India Today)
- To encourage women to adopt sustainable livelihood practices (farm/non-farm), engage in small business or agriculture value chains. (lakhpatididi.gov.in)
- To strengthen SHGs as a platform for collective savings, credit, skill building, financial literacy, and resource management.
- To stimulate inclusive rural development by bridging financial inequality, offering market access and support networks.
Eligibility & Conditions
To become part of the Mukhyamantri Lakhpati Didi Yojana, you need to meet certain eligibility conditions:
- Member of an SHG (Self-Help Group) duly recognized under the relevant state scheme.
- Household income must exceed ₹1,00,000 annually and/or an average monthly income of about ₹10,000 per month, sustained over at least four agricultural seasons or four business cycles.
- Must be engaged in either farm work, non-farm business, service, or any livelihood activity that can generate that income.
- The scheme is focused particularly on rural women, SHG members, and often those from backward or disadvantaged communities, though exact inclusion categories may vary by state. Gujarat is a good example where this scheme is well-active. (lakhpatididi.gov.in)
Benefits of Lakhpati Didi Yojana
Women who become Lakhpati Didi get access to several key advantages:
- Recognition: Being acknowledged as a financially empowered woman (Lakhpati Didi) can boost self-confidence and community status.
- Support for scaling livelihoods: Beyond basic SHG support, there is often financial literacy training, market linkage, sometimes credit facilitation, and extension services.
- Increased income: Target is to cross ₹1,00,000 per year, which helps families meet essential needs better.
- In Gujarat: Many tribal women under the scheme have succeeded in earning cumulative high incomes (for example, some community nursery cultivation initiatives).
How to Become a Lakhpati Didi (Application / Process)
Here’s a general roadmap on how SHG members can work towards becoming “Lakhpati Didi”:
- SHG Membership: Be part of a recognized Self-Help Group. Engage with the group in savings, small credit cycles, and collective activities.
- Livelihood Activity: Choose an income-generating activity – like agriculture, horticulture, small business, craft, service, etc. The activity should be viable and sustained.
- Sustain Income: Work on producing the income across at least 4 agricultural seasons or 4 business cycles so that your average household income crosses the threshold.
- Training & Support: Make use of government training, skill development, financial literacy, business mentoring if available under your SHG or state program.
- Apply/ Self-Declaration / Verification: Once criteria are met, you may need to declare your achievement or apply/register under the Lakhpati Didi scheme via your SHG or local rural development office. Verification may check income, business records, etc.
- Monitoring: Maintain records of your income, business expenses, records of agricultural produce or sales. This helps in verification and continued benefit.
State-Wise Implementation: Gujarat Example
Gujarat is one of the states where Lakhpati Didi is actively being implemented. Some facts:
- In Gujarat, over 5 lakh “Lakhpati Didis” have been recognized under the scheme. (gujaratinformation.gujarat.gov.in)
- Tribal women in some parts have earned tens of lakhs collectively by engaging in livelihood activities like nursery cultivation, forest product collection, etc.
Challenges & Things to Keep in Mind
- It might take time to consistently earn the required income over multiple seasons/business cycles.
- Some women may lack access to inputs, markets, or capital, making scaling difficult.
- Accurate documentation and proof of earnings may be required for verification, which can be a hurdle in remote areas.
Conclusion
The Mukhyamantri Lakhpati Didi Yojana is a meaningful step toward women’s economic empowerment. It is not only about handing out benefits, but about fostering sustainable livelihoods, entrepreneurship, and self-reliance among SHG women. If you’re an SHG member in Gujarat or a similar implementing area, it could be a game changer—crossing the ₹1,00,000/year income mark isn’t easy, but the scheme supports those who strive for it. Gathering proper support, choosing the right livelihood activity, accessing training, and documenting your progress are key to turning the aspirations of being a “Lakhpati Didi” into reality.