Top 10 Government Schemes for Women in India: Empowering Dreams and Futures
Introduction
Women empowerment is not just a slogan — it’s the backbone of India’s progress. From education to health, employment to entrepreneurship, the Government of India has introduced several schemes designed to uplift women and help them achieve independence.
In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at the top 10 government schemes for women, understand their benefits, eligibility, and relevance, and see how they are transforming lives across the country. If you’re preparing for competitive exams, or simply want to know which initiatives can benefit you or your family, this guide is for you.
- Launched in: 2015
- Objective: To address the declining child sex ratio and promote girls’ education.
- Key Features:
- Awareness campaigns to stop female foeticide.
- Financial incentives for girl child education.
- Community mobilization for gender equality.
- Impact: BBBP has contributed to improving enrollment rates of girls in schools, especially in rural areas.
👉 Exam Angle: Frequently asked in UPSC/SSC as a flagship women-oriented scheme of the Government of India.
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One Stop Centre Scheme (Sakhi Centres)
- Introduced in 2015 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the scheme aims to offer comprehensive support and protection to women facing violence.
- Services Offered:
- Medical aid, police assistance, legal counseling.
- Temporary shelter for women in distress.
- 24/7 helpline services.
- Impact: More than 700 Sakhi centres are functional across India today, providing safety and immediate help to women in need.
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Mahila E-Haat
- Launched in: 2016
- Objective: An online marketing platform for women entrepreneurs.
- Key Features:
- Women can display and sell their products/services online.
- Zero registration fee.
- Direct link between buyers and sellers.
- Impact: Encourages women entrepreneurs, especially self-help groups, to go digital and expand their reach.
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Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)
- Launched in: 2017
- Objective: To provide financial support to pregnant and lactating mothers.
- Benefits:
- Cash incentive of ₹5,000 in three installments.
- Ensures proper nutrition and health checkups for mother and child.
- Impact: This scheme supports healthier pregnancies, lowers the risk of maternal deaths, and ensures better growth for newborns.
- Launched in: 2016
- Objective: To ensure rural women have access to safe and smoke-free cooking fuel through LPG connections..
- Benefits:
- LPG connections are provided at no cost to women belonging to below-poverty-line (BPL) families.
- Promotes health by reducing indoor air pollution.
- Impact: More than 9 crore LPG connections have been provided so far, giving women freedom from smoke-filled kitchens.
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Working Women Hostel Scheme
- Launched in: Ongoing scheme of MWCD
- Objective: To ensure secure and budget-friendly housing facilities for women who are working.
- Features:
- Daycare facilities for children.
- Affordable rent structure.
- Security and basic amenities.
- Impact: Supports women who migrate to urban areas for jobs or higher studies.
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STEP (Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women)
- Launched in: 1986 (revamped in recent years).
- Objective: To equip women with practical skills that enhance their chances of employment and self-reliance.
- Sectors Covered: Agriculture, handlooms, handicrafts, information technology, hospitality, etc.
- Impact: Thousands of women have gained vocational training and self-reliance.
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Nari Shakti Puraskar
- Launched in: 1999 (awards distributed annually on International Women’s Day).
- Objective: To recognize outstanding contributions by women and institutions working for women empowerment.
- Prize: Cash award of ₹2 lakh + certificate.
- Impact: Inspires women achievers across fields to continue contributing to society.
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Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK)
- Launched in: 2017
- Objective: To empower rural women through community participation.
- Key Services:
- Capacity building of women in villages.
- Linkages with government services like health, education, and employment.
- Impact: Strengthens grassroots-level support for women, especially in rural India.
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Maternity Benefit Act, 2017 (Amendment)
- Objective: Protects the rights of working women during and after pregnancy.
- Key Provisions:
- The duration of paid maternity leave has been extended from 12 weeks to 26 weeks.
- Crèche facility mandatory in establishments with 50+ employees.
- Impact: Balances career and motherhood, giving working women legal protection.
Fun Fact / Trivia
📌 Did you know? India’s earliest government initiative focused on women’s skill development is the Support to Training and Employment Programme (STEP), which was launched in 1986.
📌 Every year on 24th January, India observes National Girl Child Day to raise awareness about the importance of gender equality and girls’ empowerment.
Relevance for Competitive Exams
Government schemes for women are a hot topic in current affairs, polity, and social issues sections of exams like UPSC, Banking, SSC, and State PSCs.
You may be asked:
- Year of launch of a scheme
- Ministry responsible
- Objectives and beneficiaries
- Cash incentives or unique features
Tip for Aspirants: Pay special attention to schemes managed by the Ministry of Women & Child Development (MWCD), as they are frequently asked in competitive exams.
FAQs on Government Schemes for Women
Q1. What is the aim of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme?
👉 To raise awareness about gender equality and ensure better education opportunities for girls.
Q2. Which scheme provides financial support to pregnant women?
👉 Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY).
Q3. How many weeks of maternity leave are given under the Maternity Benefit Act, 2017?
👉 26 weeks.
Q4. Which government initiative provides free LPG connections to women from economically weaker households?
👉 Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.
Q5. What is Mahila E-Haat?
👉 A digital marketplace where women can promote and sell their products and services directly to customers.
Q6. Which scheme provides safe hostels for working women?
👉 Working Women Hostel Scheme.
Q7. Who gives the Nari Shakti Puraskar awards?
The awards are presented by India’s President every year on 8th March, coinciding with International Women’s Day.
Conclusion
From education to entrepreneurship, and from health to safety, the Indian government has built a strong framework of schemes to empower women. While challenges remain, these initiatives are stepping stones towards a more equal and progressive society.
For women, students, and exam aspirants, knowing about these schemes is both personally empowering and academically useful. “It is evident that empowering women leads to the progress of the entire nation.”
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