Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY‑NRLM) is a flagship poverty alleviation program launched by the Ministry of Rural Development in June 2011. It aims to reduce rural poverty by enabling households to access gainful self-employment and skill-based wage employment opportunities through strong grassroots institutions. If you’re exploring financial assistance to support your venture, you can check your business loan eligibility to understand your loan options better.
Objectives of the NRLM scheme
- Reduce rural poverty by promoting sustainable livelihood options and increasing household incomes
- Organise rural poor households into Self‑Help Groups (SHGs) and federations to empower them socially and economically
- Ensure financial inclusion by linking SHGs with credit, savings, insurance, and pensions
- Promote skill development and capacity building for gainful employment and self-employment
- Encourage social inclusion, participation of marginalised groups, and convergence with public entitlements and services
Key features of DAY‑NRLM
- Universal Social Mobilisation: Aims to mobilise at least one member (preferably a woman) from each rural poor household into SHGs, with priority for SC/ST, minorities, and persons with disabilities
- Institution Building: Encourages formation of SHGs, Village Organisations (VOs), and Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) to strengthen collective action and reach
- Financial Assistance: Provides revolving funds, community investment funds, bank loan linkages, and interest subvention offers
- Promotion of Livelihoods: Supports both farm and non-farm enterprises through training, technology, and market linkages
- Convergence: Aligns with other government schemes and involves NGO/PRI partnerships to enhance impact
NRLM scheme components
- Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP): Empowers women farmers through agro-based livelihood support
- Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP): Supports rural entrepreneurship through training, finance, and enterprise incubation
- Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY): Provides rural transport services, boosting mobility and employment
- RSETIs (Rural Self Employment Training Institutes): Offers skill training and placement support in rural youth
Additional components include DDU‑GKY, linked skill training scheme for rural youth. For rural entrepreneurs looking for capital, it’s worth checking if you have a pre-approved business loan offer to access funding quickly.
DAY‑NRLM scheme eligibility criteria
- Open to rural poor households, especially targeting women and marginalised communities
- Participatory Identification of Poor (PIP): community-led process to list and include eligible households, especially those meeting SECC deprivation criteria
- Focus on universal inclusion: ensuring coverage across all villages and households over time
NRLM scheme benefits
- Access to capital support through revolving funds, credit linkages, and subsidised loans for enterprise setup
- Enhanced skill training and capacity development for sustainable livelihood opportunities
- Promotion of micro-enterprises and entrepreneurial values at local levels
- Creation of income opportunities in agriculture, non-farm sectors, services, and rural startups
- Strengthened financial literacy and inclusion, including use of digital services
DAY‑NRLM guidelines overview
- Implemented in mission mode with demand-driven state-specific poverty reduction plans and phased rollout across districts and blocks
- Guided by core principles of inclusion, transparency, community ownership, and empowerment
- Emphasis on institutional support, capacity building, and convergence with other public schemes for livelihood and entitlement delivery
How to apply for the DAY‑NRLM scheme
- Interested rural poor households can approach their nearest Block Development Office or local NRLM mission office
- Connect with community institutions (SHGs, VOs) or local coordinators such as Community Resource Persons (CRPs) for guidance
- Participate in mobilisation, training sessions, and group meetings to enrol in SHGs and access livelihood support
Conclusion
The DAY-NRLM scheme provides a robust framework for empowering rural poor households through institutional participation, financial inclusion, skill building, and entrepreneurship. For entrepreneurs exploring financing options alongside this mission, you may consider modern business financing tools—like those available through Bajaj Finserv. You can also apply for business loan and evaluate the business loan interest rate to align your funding and growth strategies.
