Union Budget 2026: ‘SHE-Marts’ to empower more women become lakhpati didis

Building on the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ programme, the Budget saw FM Nirmala Sitharaman announcing a proposal to set up ‘SHE-Marts’ for rural women-led enterprises.

“Building on the success of the Lakhpati Didi programme, I propose to help women take the next step from credit-led livelihoods to being owners of enterprises,” she said. “SelfHelp Entrepreneur (SHE) Marts will be set up as communityowned retail outlets within cluster-level federations through enhanced and innovative financing instruments.” Officials said it will lend momentum to efforts to bring in more women SHG members into “Lakhpati Didi” (whose household annual income is at least Rs 1 lakh) programme by increasing marketing avenues.




Over 2.5 crore women had become Lakhpati Didis as of Sept 2025. The aim is to have 3 crore women achieve Rs 1 lakh annual income by March 2027.