Union Budget 2026: From Girls’ Hostels In Every District To SHE-Marts Launch, How This Year’s Budget Aims To Empower Women

Here are the key points from Budget 2026 every woman should know.

This year’s Budget from Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman really put women in the front and centre. It talked a lot about giving women, especially in villages and smaller towns, better ways to stand on their own feet. Two things stood out the most. One is making the Lakhpati Didi scheme even stronger and the other is launching something new called SHE-Marts. These changes are all about helping women to actually own and run their own businesses. Here are the major points every woman should know. So, read on!

Union Budget 2026: Must-Know Updates For Every Woman!

The Lakhpati Didi scheme is already doing great work. It helps thousands of women in self-help groups earn at least one lakh rupees every year through small jobs and loans. Now the government wants to take it further. Instead of women just borrowing money for basic work, they will get support to start long-lasting businesses. The idea is to give them real ownership so they feel in control of their money and their lives.

Then there is a new exciting thing called SHE-Marts, which means Self-Help Entrepreneur Marts. These are like small shops owned and run completely by women from self-help groups. Groups of women in the same area will manage these shops together and the best thing is that women can sell the things they make straight to customers.

In our country, where the safety of women hangs on a thin thread, the government will set up one girls’ hostel in every district. These hostels will provide affordable and secure rooms for women studying or working in cities.

Health support looks promising as well. Soon there will be a countrywide programme to give free cervical cancer vaccines to girls between nine and fourteen years old. Also, Rs 10,000 crore will go into making medicines for cancer, diabetes, and other long-term diseases cheaper.

A new app-like system called U-WIN will keep track of vaccines for pregnant women and small children.

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For women in fishing areas, the Budget will help them start their own small companies and form groups to sell fish better. Working mothers will get crèches near their jobs so they can take care of their kids while earning.

Young women starting their first job will receive direct cash help from the government.

Next year, around 1.5 lakh women will receive training to become skilled carers. They will learn important things like wellness practices, yoga techniques, and how to handle basic medical equipment safely. This programme will create reliable job opportunities for a large number of women and will help them build stable careers in the healthcare field.

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First Published: February 01, 2026 5:40 PM