Page 24 - NIS ENGLISH 1-15 May, 2026

New India and
Women-led
Leadership
Cover Story

Self-Reliance and Empowerment

Every possible effort is being made to build a future for the nation where empowered women, while
becoming self-reliant, drive progress, shape policies, and inspire generations.

PM Mudra Yojana Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Startups

₹40.07 19,500+ Villages have ₹3100+
been declared
lakh crore worth of loans ‘Sampoorna Crores have been invested
Sukanya Gram’.
were extended to over by the government over the
57.79 crore beneficiaries n Significant improvement in the birth rate of last 6 years in startups led by
as of March 31, 2026. girls, alongside advancements in their education ‘Nari Shakti’.
₹16.33 n Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao: 15% increase n 1.02 lakh startups,
and health standards.
approximately 48% of
lakh crore worth in education among girls aged 10+ and the total have at least one
woman director or partner.
of loans have been approximately 95% institutional deliveries.
distributed to women as n Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana: ₹3.40+ lakh 2.12 lakh startups
of March 31, 2026. crore deposited in 4.61 crore accounts (as of recognised as of
January 31, 2026.
67%+ Feb 28, 2026) with 8.2% annual interest.

of the loans were Approx of the loans under Rising entrepreneurship participation
sanctioned to women this initiative were crore Registered
entrepreneurs 75% sanctioned to women 7.83 MSMEs include
entrepreneurs.
Stand-Up India 3.07 crore women-led MSMEs
as of 28 February 2026.
n Women beneficiaries received ₹48,000+ crore across 2.05 lakh
loan accounts by Dec 2025; overall, ₹62,790 crore disbursed n Over 2 lakh women-led MSEs have
across 2.75 lakh accounts under the scheme. secured orders worth over ₹80,000 crore
through GeM.
n Loans ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore are provided to
women entrepreneurs. n Self-Help Groups (SHGs) empower
women to become entrepreneurs while
boosting their income.

22 NEW INDIA SAMACHAR || May 01-15, 2026