The Yogi government is strengthening rural women’s financial independence through the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM). The mission aims to help women become self-reliant by bringing them together in Self-Help Groups (SHGs), providing skill training, financial support, and better market access so they can start their own businesses and earn a stable income.
Women at the centre of rural development
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has positioned UPSRLM as an important part of the state’s development strategy. The mission is not only focused on reducing poverty but also on creating long-term livelihood opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, dairy, food processing, and other rural enterprises. The initiative also supports the Yogi government’s larger goal of making Uttar Pradesh a $1 trillion economy by turning rural women into active partners in economic growth.
Major achievements of the mission
UPSRLM has emerged as one of the best-performing state missions under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM). More than 1 crore 6 lakh rural women have been brought under Self-Help Groups, making Uttar Pradesh one of the leading states in SHG formation.
The mission has also gone beyond its targets in providing capital support to SHGs. More than 11 lakh Mahila Kisans have been covered under sustainable farming practices.
Programmes such as Bank Sakhi, which promotes financial literacy and banking services, DDU-GKY skill training, community enterprises, and biofloc farming have helped improve household incomes and strengthen women-led institutions across villages.
Who can join UPSRLM?
The scheme is meant for poor rural households, with priority given to women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, SC/ST, minority communities, landless families, destitute women, and women-headed households. Any woman aged 18 years or above from a rural household can become a member or form an SHG with 10 to 20 members. While there is no upper income limit, preference is given to the poorest families.
How women can become members
Women interested in joining the mission can contact their local Village Organisation (VO), Block Resource Centre, or UPSRLM field staff, including Community Resource Persons. SHGs are formed through a village-level participatory process, and there is no need for an online application for basic membership.
After an SHG is formed and successfully graded, it is linked with banks to receive benefits such as the Revolving Fund, Community Investment Fund, and livelihood support. Women can also get more information through the official UPSRLM website or the DAY-NRLM portal.
Through these initiatives, the Yogi government aims to build stronger women-led institutions, increase rural household incomes, and help more women become successful micro-entrepreneurs and lakhpatis.
