Union Budget 2026: Sitharaman Unveils Major Upgrade to Lakhpati Didi Yojana

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the 2026 Union Budget, focusing on women's entrepreneurial ambitions.
• The Lakhpati Didi Yojana received significant upgrades, aiming to expand economic opportunities for rural women.
• Sitharaman proposed establishing community-owned SHE Marts as retail outlets within cluster-level federations to support women entrepreneurs.
• The upgraded scheme will strengthen self-help groups (SHGs) and help women transition from credit-linked livelihoods to enterprise ownership.
• The Lakhpati Didi Yojana, implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development, empowers rural women through micro-enterprises and skill training, targeting an annual income of Rs 1 lakh.

Why It Matters: The 2026 Union Budget significantly upgrades the Lakhpati Didi Yojana, introducing SHE Marts to boost women's entrepreneurship.