What are SHE-Marts?

In the Union Budget 2026–27 (₹53.4 lakh crore), Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the establishment of ‘SHE-Marts’ to strengthen market access for rural women-led enterprises.

What are SHE-Marts?

• SHE = Self-Help Entrepreneur
• Community-owned retail outlets for products made by women entrepreneurs
• To be set up within cluster-level federations of Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
• Supported through enhanced and innovative financing instruments

Objectives

• Improve market access for rural women entrepreneurs
• Provide branding, visibility and assured retail space
• Create sustainable income opportunities
• Strengthen grassroots institutions such as SHGs and their federations
• Promote women’s participation in local value chains

Linkages with Existing Schemes

Lakhpati Didi Programme

• SHE-Marts build on the success of the Lakhpati Didi initiative
• Lakhpati Didi aims to enable SHG women to earn ₹1 lakh or more annually
• SHE-Marts provide the market linkage missing in income-generation programmes