In a major milestone for rural development and women’s empowerment, the Ministry of Rural Development has announced that credit disbursal to Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under the Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) has surpassed ?11 lakh crore. The credit has been extended through formal financial institutions, showcasing the government’s strong commitment to inclusive growth and grassroots financial resilience.

This remarkable achievement has been made possible through the steadfast support of the banking sector, whose collaboration has played a pivotal role in advancing the SHG movement and promoting women-led enterprises across rural India.

DAY-NRLM’s mission is centered around organizing poor rural women into strong community institutions and supporting sustainable livelihoods. SHGs have become key instruments for credit delivery in rural regions, driving meaningful financial inclusion and enabling women to create and scale income-generating ventures. The consistent flow of credit is a reflection of the entrepreneurial spirit of rural women and their growing contribution to the rural economy.

Crucial to this success have been the efforts of the Bank Sakhis — SHG members trained as banking agents — who have facilitated loan access, assisted with documentation, improved financial literacy, and strengthened repayment systems. Their role in bridging the gap between SHGs and formal banking channels has been instrumental in achieving high credit utilization and maintaining an impressive repayment rate of over 98%.

Banks, under priority sector lending norms, have simplified loan procedures, provided collateral-free credit, and promoted schemes such as interest subvention and social security, further strengthening the ecosystem for SHGs.

Initiatives like DAY-NRLM and the Lakhpati Didi scheme continue to empower millions of rural women, enabling them to become financially independent and self-reliant. The ?11 lakh crore milestone is more than a financial statistic — it stands as a testament to the transformative power of trust, access, and opportunity in building a more inclusive and resilient rural India.