Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Urban Livelihood Mission (DAY‑NULM) is a flagship programme launched in September 2013 under the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs. It aims to reduce poverty and vulnerability among urban poor households by enabling access to self-employment and skilled wage employment through skill training, subsidised credit, and livelihood support systems. Check your business loan eligibility if you’re seeking funds to support a self-employment initiative aligned with DAY-NULM’s goals.
NULM – National Urban Livelihood Mission – overview
DAY‑NULM’s multi‑pronged strategy includes:
- Creating City Livelihood Centres for training and job placement
- Organising self-help groups (SHGs) and area-level federations
- Providing interest-subsidised loans to support micro-enterprises
- Offering shelter facilities to urban homeless individuals
- Supporting street vendors with infrastructure, training, credit access, and market integration
Objectives of the National Urban Livelihood Mission
- Empower urban poor by expanding access to sustainable self-employment and wage jobs
- Strengthen grassroots institutions like SHGs for collective economic empowerment
- Ensure phased provision of shelters with essential services for the homeless
- Enable street vendors to access social security, infrastructure, training, and financial services
NULM Scheme – Mission
The mission is centred on reducing urban poverty and vulnerability through empowerment of the urban poor via skill development, institutional strengthening, market integration, and shelter provision, while emphasising sustainable livelihood opportunities. Check your pre-approved business loan offer to fund any initiatives or projects under this mission.
Features of NULM
- Skill development through City Livelihood Centres with market-relevant training
- Formation and support of SHGs and federations
- Subsidised loans (5%–7%) for individual and group micro-enterprises
- Infrastructure support and credit access for street vendors
- Provision of shelter facilities for the urban homeless
Components of NULM
Key sub-schemes under DAY‑NULM include:
- Innovative & Special Projects (ISP)
- Self‑Employment Programme (SEP)
- Support to Urban Street Vendors (SUSV)
- Capacity Building & Training (CBT)
- Social Mobilisation & Institution Development (SM&ID)
- Shelter for Urban Homeless (SUH)
- Employment through Skills Training & Placement (EST&P)
Guiding principles and values of NULM
DAY‑NULM is built on the philosophy that the urban poor are inherently entrepreneurial and capable of leading their own development. It stresses institution-building, capacity enhancement, convergence with other government schemes, and promotion of transparency, accountability, and community self-reliance.
Need for DAY‑NULM
Urban poverty in India is multidimensional, encompassing issues like lack of shelter, social exclusion, and precarious livelihoods. DAY‑NULM addresses these challenges by providing institutional support, credit, skills training, and shelters—promoting inclusive urban growth across statutory urban areas.
Sub‑schemes of National Urban Livelihood Mission
The mission encompasses:
- Innovative & Special Projects (ISP)
- Self‑Employment Programme (SEP)
- Support to Urban Street Vendors (SUSV)
- Capacity Building & Training (CBT)
- Social Mobilisation & Institution Development (SM&ID)
- Shelter for Urban Homeless (SUH)
- Employment through Skills Training & Placement (EST&P)
Benefits of DAY‑NULM
- Financial support up to Rs. 15,000–Rs. 18,000 per person for skills training
- Formation and credit-linked assistance to SHGs and federations
- Subsidised loans (5%–7%) for individuals and group enterprises up to Rs. 2 lakh/Rs. 10 lakh
- Infrastructure and shelter facilities for street vendors and the homeless
- Enhanced access to institutional credit, market linkages, and social security for vulnerable urban groups
Conclusion
DAY‑NULM is a comprehensive urban poverty alleviation initiative offering livelihoods support, skill empowerment, community mobilisation, credit access, and shelter provisions. It particularly benefits street vendors, women in SHGs, and homeless populations through a model that combines institutional strengthening and livelihood sustainability.
If you’re planning to expand your enterprise or need financial support, consider applying for a business loan and compare the best business loan interest rate to suit your needs.
