Budget 2026: SHE-Marts Launched to Empower Rural Women Entrepreneurs

On Sunday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the launch of SHE (Self-help Entrepreneur) Marts with the goal of empowering women to advance up the economic value chain and bolstering women-led businesses in rural regions.

SHE-Marts: Empowering Rural Women Entrepreneurs

Sitharaman said that the government will now assist women in making the “next step from credit-linked livelihood to owners of firms,” building on the successes of the Lakhpati Didi project.

The finance minister said, “I propose to assist women take next step from credit related livelihood to owners of firms,” detailing a change in focus from supporting women as recipients of livelihood initiatives to encouraging them to run their own businesses.

As part of this project, SHE Marts will be established inside federations at the cluster level and operate as locally owned retail establishments.

Market Access and Financing for Women

The goal of these outlets is to provide female entrepreneurs access to the market while providing them with improved and creative financing options.

“SHE (Self-help Entrepreneur) marking would be established up as community-owned retail shops to support women entrepreneurs,” said Nirmala Sitharaman, highlighting the significance of local collectives in operating and overseeing these platforms.

Support for Women Students: Hostels and University Townships

A national strategy to guarantee hostel accommodations for female students was another women-focused statement made during the budget presentation. According to the finance minister, “one girls hostel would be created in every district via VGF (viability gap financing) and capital assistance.”

“In higher education, STEM institutions, prolonged hours of study and laboratory work pose some challenges to girl students,” Sitharaman explained, adding that the new hostels are meant to address these limitations and support women’s continued participation in advanced studies.

Additionally, the Budget envisions new academic clusters close to important economic centers. According to Sitharaman, “our government would help states in building five university townships in the proximity of important industrial and logistical corridors.” These zones will include “many colleges, institutions and research organizations, skill centers and residential complexes.”

Frequently Asked Questions

1. In Budget 2026, what are the SHE-Marts?

Self-help Entrepreneur Marts, or SHE-Marts, are locally owned retail establishments that support rural women-owned businesses. These shops empower female entrepreneurs with creative funding options and provide them access to markets.

2. In what ways does the SHE-Marts program assist female entrepreneurs?

The program encourages entrepreneurship rather than merely livelihood assistance by assisting women in transitioning from credit-linked livelihoods to business ownership. These locally held businesses will be controlled by local federations.

3. How does the Lakhpati Didi project relate to SHE-Marts?

SHE-Marts enable women transition from tiny, credit-supported livelihoods to fully-owned businesses, building on the successes of the Lakhpati Didi project.

4. What kind of assistance are female students receiving?

The government intends to use capital assistance and Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to build one dormitory for females in each district. The goal of these dorms is to support women’s sustained involvement in higher education, especially in STEM professions that need extended study and laboratory work.

5. What are the plans for women’s university townships?

In order to encourage women’s education and skill development, the budget suggests building five university townships close to important industrial and logistical corridors. These townships would include colleges, research facilities, training centers, and residential complexes.

Conclusion

Budget 2026’s introduction of SHE-Marts, which provide market access and company ownership options, is a positive step towards empowering rural women. In addition, programs like university townships and dormitories for females seek to improve education and skill development, guaranteeing women’s active involvement in the economy.

These initiatives aim to encourage women in India to pursue economic independence, entrepreneurship, and education.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice. Readers should consult a qualified professional before making any decisions.