On February 1, 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026-27, introducing “SHE-Marts” (Self-Help Entrepreneur Marts) as a strategic evolution of the Lakhpati Didi scheme.

These community-owned retail outlets, to be established within cluster-level federations, aim to provide direct market access to over 10 crore women associated with Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

By transitioning from credit-dependent livelihoods to enterprise ownership, the initiative seeks to ensure long-term financial independence for rural women.

Stakeholders, including government officials and sector experts, have lauded the move as a critical step in building “Nari Shakti” (women’s power) and strengthening grassroots economic institutions across the country.

Lakhpati Didi

The Lakhpati Didi initiative has already empowered over two crore women to earn an annual household income of at least ₹1 lakh, with a revised target of reaching three crore women by 2027. Historically, while rural women had access to micro-credit, they often struggled with “last-mile” connectivity to reach urban and global consumers.

The SHE-Marts are designed to bridge this gap by offering a structured platform for branding and sales. This development comes as the Gender Budget saw a significant increase to 9.37% of the total expenditure, reflecting a deeper commitment to gender-responsive governance and the transition of rural women from being mere beneficiaries to becoming business leaders.

Innovative Financing

During her ninth consecutive budget speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasised that these marts would be supported by “enhanced and innovative financing instruments.”

She stated, “Building on the success of the Lakhpati Didi programme, I propose to help women take the next step from credit-linked livelihoods to being owners of enterprises.”

Supporting this vision, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan noted that these outlets will be established in every district, providing a reliable platform for indigenous products.

To further support this ecosystem, the government also announced the construction of a girls’ hostel in every district to promote higher education and STEM participation, ensuring a holistic support system for the next generation of women entrepreneurs.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

At The Logical Indian, we believe that providing a marketplace is as essential as providing capital. The transition from “debt-based livelihoods” to “enterprise ownership” is a powerful shift in narrative that treats rural women as capable entrepreneurs rather than passive recipients of aid.

However, the true success of SHE-Marts will be measured by how effectively they can compete with large-scale commercial brands and whether the “innovative financing” remains accessible to the most marginalised.

We welcome this move toward economic dignity and hope it marks the end of middlemen exploitation in the rural supply chain.

News in Q&A

1. What exactly is a SHE-Mart? A SHE-Mart is a dedicated, community-managed retail space where women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) can showcase and sell products ranging from handicrafts to processed foods. Unlike traditional local markets, these are branded outlets designed to create a professional identity for rural goods. They serve as a direct link between rural producers and mainstream consumers, eliminating the need for exploitative middlemen.

2. How does this differ from the “Lakhpati Didi” scheme? While the Lakhpati Didi initiative primarily focused on capacity building, training, and providing micro-credit to ensure an annual income of ₹1 lakh, SHE-Marts represent the next phase of maturity. They provide the physical and commercial infrastructure necessary for these women to scale up. It marks a shift from a “livelihood support” mindset to a “business enterprise” model, where the focus is on market share and branding.

3. Who will run these outlets? These marts will be managed by Cluster-Level Federations (CLFs), which are democratic bodies formed by the SHGs themselves. This structure ensures that the women who produce the goods also have the ultimate say in pricing, inventory management, and profit distribution. By keeping management within the community, the government ensures that the economic benefits remain local and empower the women directly involved.

4. Where will these marts be located? The government aims for a pan-India presence by establishing these outlets in every district, focusing on high-traffic areas and rural activity clusters. Special emphasis will be placed on regions known for specific agro-allied products or traditional crafts, effectively turning each district into a hub for “Vocal for Local” commerce. This geographical spread ensures that even the most remote SHGs have a nearby gateway to larger markets.

5. How will they be funded? Financing will move beyond standard bank loans, utilizing innovative financial instruments such as venture capital funds for SHGs and credit guarantee schemes. These instruments are designed to be more flexible and enterprise-friendly, allowing for larger-scale investments in packaging, technology, and marketing. This robust capital structure is intended to make SHE-Marts self-sustaining and commercially viable in the long run.