To accelerate the Viksit Bharat@2047 vision and drive the Lakhpati Didi mission, Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) and the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi. The agreement aims to provide skill training, entrepreneurship development, and market-based livelihood opportunities to members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana, National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
The MoU was signed at Krishi Bhawan in the presence of Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Minister of State for Rural Development Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, and Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary. Top officials from both ministries, including Secretaries Shailesh Kumar Singh (MoRD) and Atul Kumar Tiwari (MSDE), were also present.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Chouhan highlighted the transformative potential of this collaboration in rural India. “This collaboration reinforces our commitment to transform rural women into confident entrepreneurs and together we are taking a step forward in truly realizing the vision of three crore Lakhpati Didis across rural India,” he said.
The MoU is expected to bring synergy between MoRD’s grassroots mobilization and MSDE’s institutional training ecosystem to create sustainable and scalable livelihood solutions. The partnership will remain active for three years, with a Joint Review Committee monitoring quarterly progress and outcomes.
The Rural Development Minister noted that SHGs under DAY-NRLM now comprise nearly 10 crore women across 91 lakh groups. “The rural economy is changing, and women are driving this change, be it in agriculture, services, or enterprises. Today, under DAY-NRLM, we have 10 crore women who are part of 91 lakh Self Help Groups. The social capital formed through this programme is unmatched. In every sphere of development, these women are the torchbearers and leaders,” he said.
He also reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of creating three crore Lakhpati Didis and hinted at the next big milestone, “Millionaire Didis.”
Dr. Pemmasani called the MoU a significant step toward building an inclusive and prosperous Viksit Bharat, while Chaudhary added that the collaboration aligns skilling infrastructure with rural aspirations. “Together we are aligning the skill development infrastructure with rural aspirations to ensure every woman has the opportunity to grow, earn, and lead,” he said.
MoU include the development of customized training modules based on emerging sectors, delivery of Training of Trainers (ToT) programs, formal certification through the Skill India Digital Hub, and the integration of SHG skilling into district skill development plans. Institutions like JSS, RSETIs, NIESBUD, and NSTIs will play a major role in delivering these trainings.
The ministries also announced the launch of a revamped website for the Department of Rural Development and a new portal for the Ministry, aimed at providing citizens with a unified and accessible digital platform for rural development services and updates.
