Here is the whole scheme in one place: what you get, who qualifies, how to apply, and what to check.
| Scheme | Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM), Aajeevika |
|---|---|
| Ministry | Ministry of Rural Development, Govt of India |
| Benefit | Membership of a self-help group, bank credit, skill training and support to start enterprises |
| Who can apply | Rural poor women, organised through self-help groups |
| How it is given | Through self-help groups, bank linkage and state rural livelihood missions |
| Apply at | aajeevika.gov.in, your block or district rural livelihood mission office, or the local self-help group |
| Cost to join | Free |
Key points
- Women from poor rural families are organised into self-help groups.
- Groups can get collateral-free loans, now up to Rs 20 lakh as recently notified by RBI.
- Skill training and enterprise support are part of the scheme.
- Joining is free. Be wary of anyone asking for money to enrol you.
So what exactly does a woman get?
The main benefit is membership of a self-help group, usually 10 to 20 women from the same village.
Through the group, women can get bank loans. Recent RBI rules raised the collateral-free loan limit for SHGs under DAY-NRLM to Rs 20 lakh.
The scheme also offers skill training, business management and soft skills, and support to start and stabilise small enterprises.
Amounts and limits can change, so please confirm the current figure on the official site.
Who can join, and who cannot?
The scheme is aimed at rural poor women. Women from poor households in villages are the main target.
The group is formed in the village area covered by the state rural livelihood mission.
Urban women are not covered by DAY-NRLM. Urban poor women may be covered by the separate urban livelihood mission, DAY-NULM.
Exact selection rules are set by the state mission, so check with your local office.
How do you join, step by step?
Go to aajeevika.gov.in and find your state rural livelihood mission.
You can also ask your village or block rural livelihood office, or a local self-help group, how to join.
Local staff will help form or join a group and guide you through savings and bank account opening.
Once the group is stable and has a bank account, it can apply for bank linkage and loans.
- 1Find your state missionGo to aajeevika.gov.in and find your state rural livelihood mission.
- 2Ask your local officeAsk your village or block rural livelihood office, or a local self-help group, how to join.
- 3Join or form a groupLocal staff will help you form or join a group and guide you through savings and bank account opening.
- 4Apply for bank linkageOnce the group is stable and has a bank account, it can apply for bank linkage and loans.
Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report
What will you need to keep ready?
Keep your Aadhaar card and a bank passbook or bank account details.
Keep a passport size photo and your mobile number handy.
Your local office may ask for address proof and other papers for the group.
What if your group or loan is stuck?
Start with your group leader or the village or block livelihood office.
Ask for the group's savings and loan records, and check that your name is in them.
For grievances, use the official Aajeevika website to find the contact of your state mission.
How do you avoid fraud?
Never pay an agent to join a self-help group. The scheme is free.
Do not share your Aadhaar, OTP or bank details with anyone who calls offering loans.
Deal only with official rural livelihood office staff or groups you know in your village.
Official links
This guide is based on official scheme rules. Rules and amounts can change, so always confirm on the official website before you apply. News Anek is not a government website.
