DAY-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) — Self-Help Groups
Government of India (Ministry of Rural Development) with State Rural Livelihoods Missions
Overview
The Government of India's flagship programme to reduce rural poverty by organising poor rural households — especially women — into Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and their federations. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme run with State Rural Livelihoods Missions.
SHGs get bank accounts, savings, credit linkage and interest subvention (for eligible women's SHGs); revolving funds and community investment support strengthen internal lending and livelihoods. Support covers agriculture, livestock, fisheries, handicrafts, food processing and other local income activities, plus placement-linked training for youth from poor households.
Trained community cadres such as Bank Sakhis, Krishi Sakhis and Pashu Sakhis support SHGs. SHG households are also linked to other schemes for health, nutrition, sanitation, social security, insurance and housing. An SHG usually has 10 to 20 members.
At a glance
- Administering authority
- Government of India (Ministry of Rural Development) with State Rural Livelihoods Missions
- Scheme type
- Women & Children, Employment & Skills, Business & Finance
- Place of posting / area
- All India
- Application mode
- Offline
- Important dates
- Applications accepted year-round
Benefits
- Formation and strengthening of SHGs, Village Organisations and Cluster Level Federations
- Bank accounts, savings, credit linkage and institutional finance
- Interest subvention on bank loans for eligible women's SHGs (subject to norms and repayment)
- Revolving fund and community investment support
- Livelihood support for agriculture, livestock, fisheries, non-farm enterprises, handicrafts and food processing
- Skill and placement training for youth from poor households
- Support from community cadres such as Bank Sakhis, Krishi Sakhis and Pashu Sakhis
- Links to health, nutrition, sanitation, social security, insurance and housing schemes
Eligibility
Mainly for poor rural households. Generally eligible:
- Rural poor households identified through approved poverty identification
- Women of rural households willing to join or form SHGs
- Existing SHGs that follow DAY-NRLM norms
- SC, ST, minorities, persons with disabilities, elderly people, single women and other marginalised groups
SHGs usually have 10 to 20 members; smaller groups are allowed in special cases such as groups of persons with disabilities or elderly people.
How to apply
- Join a Self-Help Group in your village, or form a new group of 10 to 20 members
- Contact the State Rural Livelihoods Mission's block unit through the Gram Panchayat or Block office
- Groups that save regularly and keep accounts get bank accounts, revolving funds and bank credit linkage
Last updated: 1 Nov 2026
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