The Government of India has introduced several financial schemes to support women across the country.
These initiatives aim to improve access to banking, credit, and entrepreneurship opportunities, especially for women working in the unorganised sector.
On International Women’s Day 2026, it is worth looking at three major government schemes that have helped millions of women become financially independent.
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana: Loans Without Collateral
One of the most impactful schemes is the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, launched in April 2015.
The program provides collateral-free loans to small and micro businesses, helping people start or expand their ventures.
Government data shows that around 68 percent of Mudra loan beneficiaries are women.
This has helped many women start small businesses and become self-reliant.
Under the scheme, entrepreneurs can get loans of up to ₹10 lakh.
Recently, a new category called Tarun Plus was introduced, allowing repeat borrowers who have repaid earlier loans to access funding of up to ₹20 lakh.
The scheme is supported by Micro Units Development & Refinance Agency Ltd, which provides funding through banks, NBFCs, and microfinance institutions.
Jan Dhan Yojana: Bringing Women Into the Banking System
Another important initiative is the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, launched in 2014 to expand financial inclusion in India.
According to government figures, over 32 crore women from rural and urban areas have opened bank accounts under this scheme.
For many women, this was their first personal bank account.
Some key benefits of Jan Dhan accounts include:
Zero-balance savings accounts
A RuPay debit card with accidental insurance cover
Overdraft facility of up to ₹10,000 for eligible account holders
Direct transfer of government benefits through DBT
These features have made it easier for women to manage their finances, receive government benefits, and access other welfare schemes.
PM SVANidhi Scheme: Support for Street Vendors
The PM SVANidhi Scheme, launched in 2020 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, provides financial support to street vendors affected by the pandemic.
Under this scheme, vendors can get collateral-free working capital loans, starting with ₹15,000, followed by additional loans of ₹25,000 and ₹50,000 in later stages.
The program also offers 7 percent interest subsidy for timely repayment, digital cashback incentives, and UPI-linked RuPay credit cards for eligible vendors.
Women make up around 44 percent of the beneficiaries, showing how the scheme has helped many female street vendors grow their businesses.
The program has now been extended until March 2030, with a total budget of ₹7,332 crore.
By December 2025, more than 1.46 crore loans had already been sanctioned.
Empowering Women Through Financial Inclusion
Along with these initiatives, schemes such as Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, NaMo Drone Didi and DAY-NRLM are also helping improve women’s economic participation.
These programs are enabling women not only to earn income but also to build businesses, manage finances, and shape their own futures.
