Women’s empowerment has been a cornerstone of India’s development agenda for several years, and in 2025, the government has taken significant steps to ensure that women from all walks of life have access to opportunities, resources, and support. From rural self-help groups to urban entrepreneurs, from schoolgirls to working professionals, the focus has been on creating inclusive, impactful, and sustainable programs. Between FY2014 and FY2025, the budget allocation for women’s welfare has increased by over 218%, showing the government’s serious commitment to gender equality.
This article explores the latest government schemes launched or expanded in 2025, along with ongoing flagship programs that continue to benefit millions of women.
1. Subhadra Yojana (Odisha)
Launched on 17 September 2024 and continuing into 2025, Subhadra Yojana is designed for women aged 21–60 from economically weaker backgrounds in Odisha. Beneficiaries receive ₹5,000 twice a year, amounting to ₹50,000 over five years. The scheme uses Aadhaar-linked direct benefit transfers to ensure transparency. Additionally, women who actively use digital transactions for daily expenses can earn an extra ₹500 as an incentive. In the first phase, more than 25 lakh women registered, with the state government disbursing over ₹1,250 crore. The aim is not only to provide financial relief but also to promote financial literacy and digital inclusion among rural women.
2. Sashakti 2025: Entrepreneurial Leap for Rural Women
This newly introduced central program focuses on empowering rural women through entrepreneurship. It offers collateral-free microloans of up to ₹3 lakh, mentorship support, and direct access to digital marketplaces. Women can sell products through e-commerce platforms without depending on middlemen. In many states, this scheme is being implemented through self-help groups (SHGs), enabling collective growth. Success stories are already emerging—such as rural tailors expanding into boutique businesses and food entrepreneurs supplying to urban markets.
3. Nari Nirbhar Skill Labs
Under the Nari Nirbhar 2025 initiative, exclusive skill development labs for women have been established in various cities and rural hubs. These labs train women in high-demand areas like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, drone operation, green energy technology, and 3D printing. The objective is to bridge the gender gap in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. Women trained here not only get access to domestic job opportunities but can also work for international companies remotely.
4. Matritva Suraksha Yojana+
This is an upgraded version of the existing maternity benefit programs. It targets women working in the informal sector, including daily wage earners, domestic workers, and freelancers. The scheme offers:
- ₹10,000 as a postnatal grant
- Free infant care kits with essential supplies
- Reskilling programs for women wanting to rejoin the workforce
- Mobile daycare facilities in high-traffic market areas, making it easier for working mothers to balance childcare and employment.
5. Udaan 2.0: Subsidised Education for First-Gen Girls
An enhanced version of the earlier Udaan scholarship scheme, Udaan 2.0 supports first-generation female learners from Class 6 onwards. It covers tuition fees, transportation, mentorship programs, and provides laptops or tablets for online learning. A unique “Mother-Daughter Scholarship” has been introduced, under which mothers receive a monthly stipend of ₹1,200 for participating in school events and actively supporting their daughters’ education.
6. Working Women Hostels – Expansion & Modernization
The Working Women Hostel Scheme has been expanded to tier-2 and tier-3 cities to cater to the increasing number of women joining the workforce. These hostels are equipped with:
- Safe accommodation with biometric access
- Child daycare centers
- Mental health counselling services
- Career development programs
Several states are building new hostels under a Public-Private Partnership model to ensure better infrastructure and quicker project execution.
7. LPG Subsidy Expansion
To make clean cooking fuel accessible, the central government has approved massive subsidies for LPG. This includes reduced refill prices for households and new LPG connections for women from economically disadvantaged families. The goal is to reduce dependence on polluting cooking fuels and improve health conditions for women, especially in rural areas.
8. Raksha Bandhan Free Bus Rides
As part of festive empowerment initiatives, many states offered free bus rides for women during Raksha Bandhan. The move aimed to promote safe and cost-effective travel while reinforcing women’s independence in mobility.
9. Local Empowerment Through Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
In Uttar Pradesh and other states, SHGs have received strong government backing under the “One District, One Product” (ODOP) scheme. Women artisans and entrepreneurs have gained access to markets, financial assistance, and training. For example, women in Varanasi crafted over 4.7 lakh national flags for Independence Day celebrations, generating income for thousands of households.
10. Women’s Reservation in Parliament
While not yet implemented, the 106th Constitutional Amendment guarantees 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. It is expected to come into effect after the next delimitation exercise, potentially post-2026, marking a significant milestone in women’s political representation.
11. Ongoing Flagship Schemes Still Benefiting Women
Alongside new launches, several existing schemes continue to transform lives:
- Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY): Offers ₹5,000 in installments to pregnant and lactating mothers to support nutrition and health.
- Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY): Provides free LPG connections to women from Below Poverty Line households.
- Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY): Extends collateral-free loans up to ₹20 lakh to women entrepreneurs.
- Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY): Encourages long-term savings for a girl child’s education and marriage.
- Mahila E-Haat: An online marketplace connecting women entrepreneurs directly with buyers.
- Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK): Offers vocational training, digital education, and financial literacy at village level.
- One-Stop Centres: Provide medical, legal, and counselling support for women facing violence.
12. STEM and Skill Development Growth
Participation of women in skilling programs under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) has increased from 42% in 2016 to over 52% in 2024. In apprenticeship programs, women’s participation has nearly tripled in the last seven years. Initiatives like WISE KIRAN and Vigyan Jyoti have supported thousands of women scientists and motivated tens of thousands of girls to pursue careers in STEM fields.
Conclusion
The year 2025 marks a turning point in India’s journey toward gender equality. With targeted programs covering education, health, entrepreneurship, political representation, and safety, the government is ensuring that women not only have equal opportunities but also the tools, resources, and environments to thrive. These schemes collectively aim to create an India where every woman—whether in a metropolitan city or a remote village—can dream big, achieve financial independence, and lead a life of dignity.
