Lakhpati Didi Yojana: How Women Can Secure Up to ₹5 Lakh Interest-Free Loan in 2025

In an effort to empower women across India, the government-backed Lakhpati Didi Yojana offers interest-free loans of up to ₹5 lakh to eligible women. This initiative aims to help women start their own businesses, become financially independent, and contribute to local economies.

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What Is Lakhpati Didi Yojana?

Lakhpati Didi Yojana provides interest-free loans ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh to eligible women entrepreneurs, especially those associated with Self Help Groups (SHGs).
Along with the loan, the scheme often supports skill development training, business guidance, and sometimes insurance or financial support for the venture.
The goal: to enable rural and urban women to launch or expand small businesses — such as tailoring, handicrafts, food processing, beauty parlors, dairy, small-scale manufacturing and more — thus fostering entrepreneurship and economic independence.

Who is Eligible for the Loan?

To qualify for the Lakhpati Didi Yojana scheme:

Applicant must be a woman.
She should be a member of a registered Self Help Group (SHG) or be willing to join one.
Generally, the age bracket declared is between 18 and 50 years (though some sources mention up to 60) depending on state-specific guidelines.
The annual family income must be within specified limits (often targeting economically weaker sections / low-income households) for eligibility.
Importantly, no family member should be in a government job, as per scheme’s standard criteria.

Required Documents & Business Plan

To apply under the scheme, women need to submit:

Aadhaar Card (identity proof)
Residence proof / Income certificate
Bank account passbook / bank details
SHG membership certificate
Passport-size photograph, PAN (if required)
A simple business plan — describing proposed business activity, investment need, projected income, etc.

How to Apply for Lakhpati Didi Yojana

Join or form a Self Help Group (SHG) — if not already a member. Many states run this scheme through SHG networks.
Prepare a business plan: decide on the nature of enterprise (agriculture, tailoring, food processing, dairy, small manufacturing, etc.).
Get application form — Typically available at local offices of Rural Development / Women & Child Development, or via SHG facilitator / bank associated with the SHG.
Fill out the form, attach required documents and submit along with the business plan.
Verification by authorities — Once the application and plan are reviewed and found feasible, the loan is approved. The money is disbursed to the applicant’s bank account.

What Can You Use the Loan For?

Under Lakhpati Didi Yojana, women can use the interest-free loan to start or expand small businesses. Common eligible activities include:

Tailoring, garment making, handicrafts
Beauty parlour, salon, or personal care services
Food processing, catering, small-scale food businesses
Dairy, poultry, agriculture-related small enterprises
Small manufacturing or home-based micro-enterprises

The scheme also aims to provide skill training and capacity building, so beneficiaries can run their business efficiently and sustainably.

Why Lakhpati Didi Yojana is Important

100% interest-free loan — eliminates financial burden of interest, making it easier for women to invest without worrying about repayment pressure.
Promotes women-led entrepreneurship — helps women become financially independent, contribute to the family income, and improve their social standing.
Encourages collective growth through SHGs — SHG membership enables community support, easier access to credit, and shared learning.
Boosts rural economy and small businesses — by helping start micro-enterprises in rural and semi-urban areas, the scheme fosters local growth and employment.

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Final Thoughts

Lakhpati Didi Yojana presents a golden opportunity for women — especially from rural and economically weaker households — to step into entrepreneurship without the burden of interest. If you are a woman aged 18–50, part of or willing to join an SHG, and eager to build your own business, this scheme offers a secure and supportive route to financial independence.