👩 Women Government Schemes 2026
14 schemes — eligibility, registration & benefits
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All Women Schemes (14)
PM Ujjwala Yojana 2.0 — Free LPG Connection
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana provides free LPG gas connections to women from below poverty line households to replace unhealthy cooking fuel usage.
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana 2026 — 8.2% Interest Girl Child Savings Scheme
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is a government-backed savings scheme for girl children offering one of the highest fixed interest rates (8.2% p.a.) with full tax exemption under Section 80C. Minimum deposit just Rs.250/year; maximum Rs.1.5 lakh/year. Account matures 21 years from opening or at marriage after age 18.
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana 2026 — Girl Child Education & Welfare Scheme
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) is a national mission launched in 2015 to address India's declining child sex ratio (CSR) and ensure the survival, protection, education, and empowerment of the girl child. The scheme operates across all 640 districts with a multi-ministry approach involving Women and Child Development, Health, and Education. Key interventions include community awareness campaigns against sex-selective abortion, free education support for girl students under the Sukanya Samriddhi and Udaan programmes, and Anganwadi-based health support. Financial incentives like Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana accounts are linked to BBBP to encourage families to invest in their daughters' future.
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) 2025
PMMVY provides Rs.5,000 cash incentive to pregnant and lactating women for the first living child to partially compensate for wage loss and encourage institutional delivery and proper nutrition.
DAY-NRLM Ajeevika 2026 — Self Help Group Loan ₹3 Lakh | aajeevika.gov.in
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) organises rural poor women into Self Help Groups (SHGs) and provides them access to bank credit, livelihood support, and social mobilisation. SHGs get revolving fund of ₹15,000, Community Investment Fund up to ₹2.5 lakh, and bank loans up to ₹3 lakh at subsidised rates.
Mission Vatsalya 2026 — Child Welfare & Protection | Child Care Institutions + Sponsorship ₹4,000/Month
Mission Vatsalya is the umbrella child protection and welfare scheme of the Government of India launched in 2021-22 (replacing earlier ICPS). It ensures every child lives in a safe and nurturing environment. Key benefits: Sponsorship Scheme (₹4,000/month for vulnerable children), Foster Care Support, Child Care Institutions (CCIs) for orphans and abandoned children, and After Care (₹2,000/month for youth aged 18-21 leaving CCIs).
Lakhpati Didi Yojana 2026 — 3 Crore Women SHG Members Earn ₹1 Lakh+/Year | Free Skill Training
Lakhpati Didi Yojana is the Government of India's ambitious initiative to make 3 crore women SHG (Self Help Group) members earn ₹1 lakh or more per year through skill development, micro-enterprise support, and livelihood enhancement. Announced by PM Modi in 2023, it provides free skill training in LED bulb making, plumbing, drone repair, solar panel installation, and other high-demand trades. Drone Didi is a subset of this initiative.
Namo Drone Didi 2026 — 15,000 Women SHG Drones | Agricultural Spraying | ₹8 Lakh Subsidy
Namo Drone Didi is a Government of India scheme to provide 15,000 agricultural drones to women SHG (Self Help Group) clusters for crop spraying and agri-services. Each SHG cluster (10-15 SHGs) gets a drone with 80% subsidy (up to ₹8 lakh), free training for the woman pilot, and a guaranteed income of ₹1 lakh/year from drone rental services to farmers in their area.
Mission Shakti 2026 — One Stop Centre + Nirbhaya Fund + Ujjwala | WCD Women Safety Umbrella Scheme
Mission Shakti is the Ministry of Women and Child Development's flagship umbrella scheme for the safety, security, and empowerment of women. Launched in 2021-22, it consolidates multiple women safety schemes into two sub-schemes: SAMBAL (safety/support) and SAMARTHYA (empowerment). SAMBAL covers: One Stop Centres (OSC) — 733+ centres for distress women; 181 women helpline; PM Matru Vandana Yojana maternity benefit; Swadhar Greh (shelter homes). SAMARTHYA covers: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao; Ujjwala anti-trafficking; Nari Adalats. Nirbhaya Fund projects also channelled through Mission Shakti.
One Stop Centre (OSC) Sakhi 2026 — Free Support for Women in Distress | wcdhry.gov.in
One Stop Centre (OSC) Sakhi is a centrally-sponsored scheme under the Ministry of Women and Child Development that provides integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence — domestic violence, sexual assault, acid attacks, trafficking, honour crimes, and more. OSCs (called 'Sakhi' centres) provide under one roof: emergency response, medical assistance, legal aid, psychological counselling, temporary shelter (up to 5 days), and police facilitation. There are 800+ OSCs operational across all districts of India. Helpline: 181 (free 24x7). Women can also call 112 (police emergency). OSCs are co-located with hospitals for easy access. Services are completely FREE. The scheme covers all women — regardless of religion, caste, age, or marital status. NRI women in distress also covered. Budget: ₹750 crore from Nirbhaya Fund. Services available 24x7.
Nirbhaya Fund 2026 — ₹10,000 Crore Women Safety Initiative | wcd.nic.in
Nirbhaya Fund is a non-lapsable corpus of ₹10,000 crore set up by the Government of India in 2013 (post the December 2012 Delhi gang-rape case) to fund projects and schemes for the safety and dignity of women. The fund is not a direct-benefit scheme — it finances government-run safety infrastructure. Projects funded under Nirbhaya Fund include: One Stop Centres (OSC Sakhi) — 800+ crisis support centres; Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) — Dial 112; Safe City projects in 8 cities; CCTV cameras in public transport; Women Helpline 181; Criminal Law Amendment; Fast Track Courts for sexual assault; Central Victim Compensation Fund (CVCF). Citizens benefit indirectly — through better safety infrastructure, faster courts, and direct services like OSC (free shelter + legal aid) and Women Helpline 181.
Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK) 2026 — Block-Level Women Empowerment Centres | wcd.nic.in
Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK) is a centrally sponsored scheme under the Ministry of Women and Child Development launched in 2017 as part of the umbrella Mission Shakti. MSKs provide a one-stop convergence point for women in rural areas — connecting them to government schemes, skills training, health services, legal aid, digital literacy, and market linkage. MSKs operate at three levels: National/State level (Knowledge Centres at NIPCCD/SIRDs), District level (Women Resource Centres at 640 aspirational/backward districts), and Block level (community mobilisation through 920 blocks). Student volunteers engage with village communities. Key services: Awareness of government schemes (PMJDY, PM Ujjwala, PM Awas), skill training referral, registration for welfare schemes, counselling, health camps. Budget: ₹972 crore (2017-22, extended to 2025-26).
Working Women Hostel Scheme 2026 — Subsidised Safe Hostel for Working Women | wcd.nic.in
Working Women Hostel Scheme is a central government scheme under the Ministry of Women and Child Development that promotes construction and expansion of hostels for working women (including widows) living away from home in urban, semi-urban, and rural areas. The scheme provides grant assistance to NGOs, cooperative societies, state governments, municipal bodies, and state housing boards for building/expanding Working Women Hostels. Grant: up to 75% of project cost (max ₹60 lakh for new hostel) or up to 60% for expansion. Each hostel must have at least 50 rooms. Facilities mandated: crèche (day care) for children up to 5 years of residents, common area, security, mess. Rent subsidy: women with income ≤ ₹50,000/month can stay; those with income ≤ ₹20,000/month may get priority. Hostel managed by the grantee organisation. Over 900 operational hostels across India. To find nearest hostel: contact State WCD department.
National Crèche Scheme 2026 — Free Day Care for Children of Working Mothers | wcd.nic.in
National Crèche Scheme (NCS) is a central government programme under the Ministry of Women and Child Development that provides day-care facilities (crèches) for children aged 6 months to 6 years of working mothers — including daily wage earners, construction workers, domestic workers, farmers, and other women in employment. Crèches are run by NGOs, civil society organisations, and self-help groups with central funding. Services at each crèche: day care, supplementary nutrition, health check-ups, immunisation, pre-school education, recreational activities. Monthly parent contribution: ₹20/child (BPL) or ₹100/child (non-BPL). Government pays ₹5,000-8,000 per crèche per month to the operating organisation. Over 9,000 crèches operational covering 1.35 lakh children. In 2023, the scheme was revised under 'Mission Shakti — Supporting Urban, Rural and Sub-urban Working Women with a Child Care Facility (SUWC)' name with enhanced funding.
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About Women Schemes in India
The Government of India runs several welfare schemes under the women category to support citizens across all states. These schemes provide financial assistance, subsidies, training, and other benefits to eligible beneficiaries. All residents of India can apply for central government women schemes by meeting the required eligibility criteria and submitting the necessary documents.
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