The outlets are intended to raise incomes, strengthen local value chains and place women in roles as entrepreneurs and job creators. Credit: Cris Fraga / Shutterstock.com.
India’s Union Budget 2026 has proposed a nationwide network of community-owned retail outlets to widen market access for women-run enterprises.
Presenting the budget, Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the planned Self-Help Entrepreneur (SHE) Marts would be located within cluster-level federations.
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It will serve as structured sales channels for products made by women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in rural and semi-urban areas.
Under the SHE-Mart proposal, the government said each district would host community-owned stores designed to showcase and sell products made by women, offering SHGs and rural producers access to wider consumer markets.
Budget papers said the initiative draws on the Lakhpati Didi Programme and will be supported through enhanced and innovative financing instruments.
The outlets are intended to raise incomes, strengthen local value chains and place women in roles as entrepreneurs and job creators.
Retail integration is also envisaged for fisheries and coastal livelihoods, with women-led groups linked to markets through start-ups, women-run collectives and Fish Farmers Producer Organisations.
These linkages would run alongside the development of 500 reservoirs and Amrit Sarovars.
Highlighting the district-level rollout, the Indian Government said: “The Viksit Bharat Budget’s plans to open SHE Marts and girls’ hostels in every district will provide our sisters with better education and opportunities for self-reliance.”
The Budget aims to “deepen women’s economic participation at the grassroots” through the new retail outlets.
In addition, the Budget announced targeted support for traditional, women-intensive sectors via a National Handloom and Handicraft Programme, which will bring various existing schemes under one umbrella.
The Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj initiative will also be implemented, covering training, skills development, quality upgradation, and international market linkages and branding.
In a press statement, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said: “In the Viksit Bharat Budget, the plan to open girls’ hostels in every district will provide our sisters with better and safer access to education.
“These retail outlets will create a strong foundation for making women enterprise owners. Additionally, with the launch of the She-Mark badge, easy access to financing for women will be ensured.”
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