Budget 2026: Presenting her record ninth consecutive Union Budget against the backdrop of geopolitical volatility, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman positioned women's economic participation at the core of the government’s growth strategy.
“Our aim is to transform aspiration into achievement and potential into performance, as we ensure that the dividends of growth reach every farmer, the scheduled caste, the scheduled tribes, the nomads, the youth, the poor, and the women," Sitharaman said.
Budget 2026: What's In For Women? Key Announcements by FM Sitharaman
Expansion Of Lakhpati Didi Scheme
In a key announcement aimed at moving women beyond traditional income-linked models, Sitharaman announced the expansion of the Lakhpati Didi programme. She proposed the expansion to support women to take "the next step from credit-linked livelihoods to being owners of enterprises.
The pitch, framed around enterprise ownership rather than mere participation, signals a significant focus on scaling women-led businesses across all economic sectors.
She-Marts Scheme
The Union Budget introduced a new identity and support mechanism for women entrepreneurs through the rollout of She (Self-Help Entrepreneurs) Marts, a specialised framework designed to provide access to financing and growth-oriented resources.
According to the announcement, this framework is intended to expand women entrepreneurs' access to “credit-linked products and innovative financial instruments,” marking an attempt to connect women-led enterprises with formal finance channels beyond traditional lending.
"Building on the success of the Lakhpati Didi program, I propose to help women take the next step from credit-linked livelihoods to being owners of enterprises. Self-help entrepreneurs will be set up as community-owned retail outlets within the cluster-level federations through enhanced and innovative financing instruments."
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Girls Hostel In Every District
Addressing a critical barrier to girls' education, the Finance Minister announced the establishment of one girls' hostel in every district through Viability Gap Funding (VGF) or capital support.
By providing safe and affordable accommodation, this initiative aims to reduce dropout rates, improve safety, and ensure that every woman can participate fully in higher education across the country.