“The Indian government has launched a new self-employment scheme to boost women’s empowerment, offering financial aid, skill training, and market access to women entrepreneurs. Targeting rural and marginalized communities, the initiative aims to create sustainable livelihoods, with Gujarat and Uttarakhand leading implementation. Over 50,000 women are set to benefit, fostering economic independence and societal progress.”
New Scheme to Uplift Women Entrepreneurs
On July 3, 2025, the Indian government rolled out a transformative self-employment scheme aimed at empowering women, particularly those from marginalized and rural backgrounds. The initiative, launched in Gujarat and supported by similar efforts in states like Uttarakhand, seeks to provide financial assistance, skill development, and market linkages to foster women-led enterprises. In Gujarat, the scheme targets 50,000 women from Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) card-holding families across 13 aspirational talukas and two aspirational districts. The Mukhyamantri Mahila Utkarsh Yojana has already empowered over 10 lakh women through interest-free loans, while the Sakhi Sahas Yojana offers financial aid and skill-building to aspiring entrepreneurs.
In Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has championed women’s economic empowerment through schemes like Lakhpati Didi, Ekal Mahila Swarozgar Yojana, and Mahila Saarthi Yojana. These programs have created self-employment opportunities for thousands, with the state reinstating a 30% job reservation for women in government roles. The Chief Minister’s Single Women Self-Employment Scheme, launched on June 18, 2025, targets vulnerable women, offering tailored support to help them achieve financial independence. Applications for this scheme are being accepted through district-level Women Empowerment and Child Development (WECD) offices.
Nationally, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 26, 2025, to enhance women’s entrepreneurship through Self-Help Groups (SHGs). The initiative focuses on aligning skill training with local market needs, providing access to institutions like Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs). Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary emphasized the program’s potential to transform women into job creators, stating that over 1.48 lakh Lakhpati Didis have already set a precedent for economic self-reliance.
In Uttar Pradesh, the Lakhpati Didi program has empowered over 17 lakh women, with 7.17 lakh SHGs receiving revolving funds and 5.74 lakh accessing community investment funds. The state is expanding initiatives like Didi ki Rasoi and Prerna Canteens to industrial areas, further boosting women’s economic contributions. Odisha, too, leads with over 1.6 million Lakhpati Didis under the Subhadra scheme, supported by a Rs 89,861 crore budget allocation for women’s initiatives in 2025.
The schemes also emphasize skill development, with programs like the sewing and embroidery training launched in Chandil, Jharkhand, on June 24, 2025, under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan. Such efforts aim to equip women with market-relevant skills, enabling them to start micro-enterprises. However, challenges remain, as highlighted by a recent Moneycontrol report, which notes that women-led MSMEs struggle with access to formal capital and market linkages, underscoring the need for robust policy support.
The government’s focus aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat
@2047
’, emphasizing women’s role in driving economic growth. By year-end, Gujarat officials expect 28,000 women to benefit from the new scheme, positioning it as a cornerstone of rural women’s empowerment. These initiatives mark a significant step toward closing the gender gap in employment and fostering inclusive economic development across India.
Disclaimer: This article is based on recent news reports, government announcements, and official statements from sources like Times of India, Hindustan Times, Oneindia, and Pioneer Edge. Information is accurate as of July 4, 2025, and subject to change as new details emerge.