90.90 Lakh SHGs Formed Under DAY‑NRLM: MoS Confirms

December 9, 2025

The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY‑NRLM) has successfully mobilised 10.05 crore rural women households into over 90.90 lakh Self-Help Groups (SHGs), according to Minister of State Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani. This milestone underscores the scale of the Mission in promoting women-led grassroots institutions across India since its inception.

Nationwide Reach and Institutional Structure

DAY‑NRLM is currently implemented in 7,144 blocks across 745 districts, spanning 28 states and 6 Union Territories. The SHGs are organised into a three-tier federated structure: Self-Help Groups (SHGs) at the grassroots, Village Organisations (VOs) at the intermediate level, and Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) at the apex, ensuring better coordination, governance, and access to financial services.

Financial and Livelihood Support

Since 2013–14, SHGs under DAY‑NRLM have accessed bank credit amounting to ₹10.20 lakh crore. Additionally, a total of ₹51,368.39 crore has been provided as capitalisation support through Revolving Funds and Community Investment Funds to strengthen SHGs and their federations. The Mission also supports livelihood enhancement through farm and non-farm activities, micro-enterprises, skill development, and entrepreneurship programs, empowering women to achieve financial independence.

Empowerment Beyond SHGs

DAY‑NRLM goes beyond forming SHGs by promoting financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, and skill development. Initiatives like the Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP) encourage SHG members to establish small enterprises. The deployment of “Bank Sakhis”, SHG women acting as banking correspondents, enhances rural access to banking, credit, remittances, pension, and insurance services. The Mission also promotes sustainable livelihoods across agriculture, livestock, non-timber forest produce, and non-farm enterprises.

Significance and Challenges

The mobilisation of over 10 crore rural women households represents one of the largest women-led grassroots movements globally. DAY‑NRLM provides pathways for poor rural households toward economic self-reliance, sustainable income, and social empowerment. However, sustaining SHG economic viability, ensuring consistent income, market access, and capacity building remain ongoing challenges that need focused interventions.