Union Budget 2026-27 SHE Marts to Strengthen Women-Led Enterprises

Budget Push for Women-Led Market Institutions

The Union Budget 2026–27 has proposed the establishment of Self-Help Entrepreneur (SHE) Marts as community-owned retail outlets aimed at expanding market access for women-led enterprises. The initiative seeks to strengthen the self-help group (SHG) ecosystem by providing a structured and reliable platform for marketing products made by women entrepreneurs, particularly in states with a strong SHG base such as Jharkhand .

From Credit Access to Enterprise Ownership

While presenting the Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted that SHE Marts build upon the momentum created by the Lakhpati Didi Programme . The core objective is to help women move beyond credit-linked livelihood activities towards ownership-based enterprises .

The marts will be anchored within cluster-level federations of SHGs and supported through enhanced and innovative financing mechanisms. This approach is designed to enable women entrepreneurs to access organised retail, predictable demand, and better price realisation.

Community-Owned Retail Architecture

SHE Marts are envisioned as collectively owned and managed retail outlets , where women-led SHGs can aggregate, brand, and sell their products directly. By linking production clusters to assured retail spaces, the model aims to reduce dependence on middlemen and strengthen women’s bargaining power in local and regional markets.

The initiative also aligns with broader efforts to formalise micro-enterprises , improve product visibility, and integrate grassroots producers into organised value chains.

Jharkhand as a Key Beneficiary

Jharkhand stands out as a major beneficiary due to its mature SHG ecosystem. The state has mobilised nearly 39 lakh rural women through the Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society .

State officials note that SHE Marts complement existing livelihood and entrepreneurship initiatives by transforming rural women from borrowers into business owners and market participants . The retail model is expected to strengthen existing market linkages and help scale women-led enterprises beyond local markets.

Role in Inclusive Growth and Women-Led Development

SHE Marts fit squarely within the Budget’s broader emphasis on inclusive growth and women-led development . By focusing on ownership, scale, and sustained market access, the initiative moves away from short-term income support towards long-term economic empowerment.

If implemented effectively, SHE Marts could emerge as an important institutional mechanism for strengthening rural supply chains, promoting local products, and increasing women’s participation in India’s formal economy.

Exam-Focused Key Points

• SHE Marts are community-owned retail outlets for women-led SHG products

• Initiative builds on the Lakhpati Didi Programme

• Marts will operate through cluster-level SHG federations

• Objective is to shift women from credit-led livelihoods to enterprise ownership

• Jharkhand is a key beneficiary due to its strong SHG ecosystem