Mission Shakti, a flagship initiative by the Indian government, is empowering women through skill training and entrepreneurship programs. Aimed at fostering self-reliance, it provides workshops, financial support, and market linkages to women across India. Recent efforts in Uttar Pradesh and Odisha highlight its impact, training thousands in diverse sectors like e-rickshaw driving and micro-enterprises, driving economic growth and gender equity.
Mission Shakti: Empowering Women Through Skills and Entrepreneurship
Program Overview
Mission Shakti, launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, is a central sector scheme focused on women’s safety, security, and empowerment. It integrates multiple initiatives to promote economic independence through skill development and entrepreneurship. The scheme operates under two sub-schemes: Sambal (safety and security) and Samarthya (empowerment), with a strong emphasis on equipping women with skills to thrive in diverse sectors.
Skill Training Initiatives
Mission Shakti offers comprehensive workshops to enhance women’s entrepreneurial capabilities. In Uttar Pradesh, Mission Shakti 3.0 trained 75,000 women across 75 districts in 2021, providing one-day awareness programs and three-day capacity-building sessions in financial literacy, marketing, and business management. Training extends to unconventional fields like e-rickshaw driving, with hands-on sessions on vehicle operation, maintenance, and customer service.
Financial Support and Market Linkages
The program facilitates access to credit through schemes like MUDRA and Stree Shakti Yojana, offering collateral-free loans up to Rs. 50 lakh. In Odisha, Mission Shakti has linked 70 lakh women in 6 lakh Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to banks, providing seed money and revolving funds. Partnerships with banks like YES Bank and SIDBI further enable women to become business correspondents or start micro-enterprises.
Impact in Uttar Pradesh
Under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s leadership, Mission Shakti has connected over 60 lakh women to welfare schemes like PM Matru Vandana Yojana and PM SVANidhi Yojana. In 2021, a dedicated helpline, website, and mobile app were launched to support aspiring women entrepreneurs, ensuring access to resources and guidance for self-reliance.
Odisha’s Success Story
Since its inception in 2001, Odisha’s Mission Shakti has empowered 70 lakh women through SHGs. Women have ventured into pisciculture, producing profits like Rs. 1.7 lakh in Arakhapalli village, and manage Take Home Ration units to combat malnutrition. The state’s focus on sustainable income practices has turned SHGs into micro-enterprises, boosting local economies.
Recent Developments
In Telangana, a 2025 partnership between the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty and Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages aims to train over 1,000 SHG women in financial literacy, sales, and retail management. The Mahila Shakti Canteens initiative exemplifies how skill training translates into economic independence, enabling women to run community-driven businesses.
Broader Impact on Gender Equity
Mission Shakti’s holistic approach addresses cultural barriers, promoting gender sensitization and women’s rights awareness. By fostering leadership and financial independence, it challenges traditional norms, enabling women to contribute to India’s socio-economic progress. The program’s collaboration with ministries and local bodies ensures last-mile delivery of services, amplifying its reach.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information from government websites, news reports, and credible sources like News18, The Indian Express, and The Hindu. Data is accurate as of September 2025, but readers are advised to verify details through official channels for the latest updates.