Between 2014 and 2026, India shifted focus from ‘women’s welfare’ to ‘women-led development’ across sectors. A lifecycle approach strengthened women’s access to healthcare, education, nutrition, livelihoods, financial inclusion, and leadership opportunities. Programmes supporting Self Help Groups (SHGs), entrepreneurship, and digital inclusion expanded women’s economic participation. Improved access to sanitation, housing, clean fuel, and tap water strengthened dignity, safety, and quality of life.
Women at the Centre of India’s Growth Story
Over the past twelve years, women’s development in India has shifted from providing access to enhancing participation, opportunity, and leadership. Women are no longer seen only as beneficiaries but are increasingly shaping growth and progress.
Dignity at Birth: Protection and Early Childhood Care
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)
Launched on 22nd January 2015, BBBP addresses declining child sex ratio, prevents gender-biased sex selection, and promotes survival, protection, and education of the girl child. The scheme integrates strict enforcement of the PCPNDT Act with mass awareness. NFHS-5 recorded 1,020 women per 1,000 men, up from 943 (Census 2011).
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)
Introduced in 2017, PMMVY provides ₹5,000 for the first living child and ₹6,000 for the second child (girl child only). Over 4.92 crore beneficiaries enrolled; ₹20,150 crore paid.
Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA)
Launched in 2016, PMSMA provides free antenatal check-ups on the 9th of every month. Over 7.4 crore pregnant women examined. Maternal Mortality Ratio reduced to 88 per lakh live births (2021-2023), down from 130 (2014-15).
Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) & Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK)
JSY encourages facility-based deliveries among poor pregnant women. JSSK was extended to all antenatal & post-natal complications in 2014. Institutional births increased from 79% (2015-16) to 90.6% (2023-24).
Education, Skills and Aspirational Growth
Samagra Shiksha & Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs)
Female enrolment increased from 1.57 crore (32%) in 2014-15 to 11.93 crore (48%) today. KGBVs increased from 4,996 (2022) to 5,316 (2026), with enrolment rising from 6.07 lakh to 7.58 lakh.
Success Stories: Kumari Nidhi from UP cleared UPSC Civil Services (39th rank) and serves as SDM. Archana Nishad represented India in the U-19 Women’s World Cup winning cricket team (2023).
Scholarships & Financial Support
The AICTE PRAGATI Scholarship has provided 10,000 scholarships annually since 2014-15. Nearly 36 thousand girl students benefited by 2024-25. Over 12 lakh more women enrolled in higher education between 2014-15 and 2022-23.
Women in STEM
Vigyan Jyoti Scheme has reached over 1.12 lakh girls across 300 districts. Additional seats in IITs and NITs increased women’s participation from below 10% to over 20%.
Skills & Digital Inclusion
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)
Nearly 45% of PMKVY beneficiaries are women. Over 27 lakh candidates trained under PMKVY 4.0, with 18.79 lakh certified.
NAVYA
Launched in 2025, NAVYA focuses on girls aged 16–18 years in digital marketing, cybersecurity, AI-enabled services, and sustainable jobs. Target: 3,850 girls.
Health, Nutrition and Well-being with Dignity
Ayushman Bharat
Over 43.52 crore Ayushman cards created; women account for nearly 49% (21 crore). Over 4.97 crore women have received authorised hospital admissions. Over 1.84 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs operational nationwide.
Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0
1.03 lakh Anganwadi Centres upgraded. 10.58 lakh Anganwadi Workers trained.
Mission Indradhanush
Over 11.87 crore children and 3.96 crore pregnant women registered. 5.46 crore children and 1.32 crore pregnant women vaccinated. 8.73 crore women screened for cervical cancer.
Financial Inclusion and Economic Empowerment
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
Launched in 2015, accounts earn 8.2% annual interest with tax-free returns.
DAY-NRLM (SHG ecosystem)
SHGs have accessed over ₹12.18 lakh crore in bank credit. Over 5.88 lakh enterprises supported under SVEP.
Lakhpati Didi Scheme
Target of creating 6 crore Lakhpati Didis. 93.85 lakh SHGs with 10.07 crore members.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)
Launched in 2014, zero-balance accounts made banking universal.
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY)
Total loans sanctioned: 57.79 crore (till March 2026). Total amount: ₹40.07 lakh crore. The scheme is a major driver of women-led entrepreneurship.
PM SVANidhi Scheme
Over 1.15 crore loans sanctioned, benefiting nearly 74.9 lakh street vendors. Women account for 46% of beneficiaries.
Stand-Up India
Launched in April 2016. Over 2.05 lakh women entrepreneurs supported.
NaMo Drone Didi Yojana
Launched in November 2023 with ₹1,261 crore outlay. Aims to provide 15,000 drones to women SHGs.
Womaniya (GeM)
Over 2.1 lakh women-led enterprises registered. Over ₹28,000 crore contract value awarded to women-led enterprises.
SHE-Mart
Announced in Union Budget 2026–27. Target to benefit 1 crore women.
Safety, Security, Dignity and Living Standards
Mission Shakti
973 One Stop Centres operational; over 14.49 lakh women assisted. Over 3 crore women supported through Women Helpline (181). 15,000+ Women Help Desks across police stations.
Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)
Nationwide ODF status achieved in October 2019. Over 12 crore individual household latrines built.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)
Under PMAY-Gramin, 4.15 crore houses allocated, 2.99 crore completed. 96% houses under PMAY-U 2.0 allotted to women.
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)
Total LPG connections: 10.55 crore (as on 14 May 2026).
Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)
Launched in August 2019. Around 15.84 crore families got access to clean tap water.
Participation, Representation, and Decision-Making
Women constituted 48.62% of the electorate in 2024, with voter turnout at 65.78% (slightly higher than men). In 2024, 75 women were elected to Lok Sabha. Over 14.5 lakh women serve as elected representatives in Panchayati Raj Institutions (nearly 46%). The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 provided 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. In 2025, first batch of 17 women cadets graduated from NDA.
Nari Shakti as the Foundation of Viksit Bharat
Over the past 12 years, the government’s sustained focus on women empowerment has reshaped social welfare from a basic safety net into a platform fostering leadership, dignity, and opportunity. Viksit Bharat will not only serve the women of this country; it will be led from the front by them.
Disclaimer: This is an abridged version of the original PIB article “From Welfare to Women-Led Development” (June 2, 2026). Key facts and data have been retained. For the full text, visit the official PIB website.
