Lakhpati Didi scheme boosts household income: IIM Study

New Delhi: The government's Lakhpati Didi initiative has helped increase household income and savings, expand women-led enterprises and diversify livelihoods, and strengthen women's role in household and community decision-making, according to an IIM Ahmedabad study.

The average monthly household income of Lakhpati Didi households increased 61% while savings grew 61.7%, as per the study, a copy of which was seen by ET. In addition, the number of Lakhpati Didi enterprises increased about 48% over the past one year. The Lakhpati Didi scheme, launched in 2023, seeks to help women in self-help groups (SHGs) earn a sustainable annual household income of at least ₹1 lakh.

"The findings of the IIM Ahmedabad assessment provide encouraging evidence of improvements in household income, savings and enterprise expansion," said Rohit Kansal, secretary, Ministry of Rural Development. The study, conducted between November 2025 and March 2026, covered around 6,500 respondents across 17 states and union territories.


Also read | India's green economy can support 1.3 crore jobs by 2035 but challenges remain: Report

The government is targeting 60 million Lakhpati Didis, with the next phase focusing on livelihood diversification, women-led enterprises, stronger value chains, market linkages and greater convergence of available resources and opportunities, said Kansal. The initiative is an outcome of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission, the rural development ministry's flagship livelihoods programme.