Government Support at Every Step: 6 Empowering Schemes Every Indian Woman Should Know About
As the Modi government marks 11 years in power, one of its significant focus areas has been the empowerment of women across India. Over the years, multiple welfare schemes have been launched to support women at various life stages — from pregnancy to education, and from financial independence to home ownership.
Whether you're a student, a working woman, a homemaker, or a senior citizen, these six central government schemes are designed to offer meaningful support. Here's a detailed look at each one:
1. Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)
Launched in 2017, this scheme aims to promote the health and well-being of pregnant women and lactating mothers. Under PMMVY, financial assistance of ₹5,000 is provided in two installments during pregnancy and childbirth to help with nutrition and medical care.
Why It Matters: It's especially helpful for women from economically weaker backgrounds who may not have access to quality prenatal care.
2. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)
Introduced in 2015 as part of the “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” campaign, the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is a small savings scheme specifically for girl children. Parents or guardians can open an SSY account for a girl under 10 years of age and deposit as little as ₹250 per month.
Returns: The scheme offers one of the highest interest rates among government savings schemes. With regular monthly savings of ₹1,000, you can build a corpus of over ₹5.5 lakh by the time your daughter turns 21.
Reach: Over 4.3 crore accounts have already been opened across India.
💪When women rise, the nation soars 🚀
— PIB India (@PIB_India) June 8, 2025
In the last 11 years, India has witnessed a remarkable transformation. #NariShakti is not just participating, she is leading the way in New India
📊 Here’s the big picture 🔽#11YearsOfSashaktNari pic.twitter.com/XcJhUw5hzD
3. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)
Millions of families in rural India once cooked using firewood and coal, exposing women to hazardous smoke daily. PMUY was launched to provide clean cooking fuel (LPG) to underprivileged women.
Impact: Over 10 crore free LPG connections have been distributed so far, and women can get subsidized refills for as low as ₹550.
Benefit: It not only improves health but also reduces the time and effort spent collecting firewood.
4. Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY)
If you're a woman entrepreneur or aspiring to start your own business, this scheme could be a game-changer. PMMY provides collateral-free loans ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹20 lakh under three categories: Shishu, Kishore, and Tarun.
Women First: Around 68% of Mudra beneficiaries are women. Lower interest rates and simplified application processes make it easier for women to access funding.
5. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G)
PMAY-G aims to provide pucca houses to the rural poor. One of its unique features is that it gives priority to women when allocating homes.
Fact Check: Approximately 73% of the homes under this scheme are either solely or jointly owned by women, helping them gain long-term financial security and social recognition.
6. Stand-Up India Scheme
This scheme promotes entrepreneurship among women and underrepresented communities (SC/ST). Under Stand-Up India, women entrepreneurs can avail of bank loans ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore to start new businesses.
Objective: Empower women economically and encourage self-employment.
Eligibility: The applicant must be above 18 years of age and the enterprise must be a first-time venture.
Final Words
From health and education to entrepreneurship and housing, these government schemes are crafted to support Indian women every step of the way. Whether you're planning for your daughter’s future, starting your own business, or seeking better healthcare during pregnancy, these initiatives ensure you're not alone.
If you haven't already explored these schemes, now is the time to take full advantage of them. Your empowerment starts with awareness.
