authors
Devangi R Deore

abstract
Self-Help Groups (SHGs), primarily consisting of poor rural women, have emerged as a pivotal mechanism for social and economic development in India. This paper investigates the multi-dimensional impact of SHGs on women's empowerment, focusing on economic, social, and political indicators at the national level. Utilising recent statistical data from governmental missions like the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) and NABARD's SHG-Bank Linkage Programme (SHG-BLP), the study highlights the significant scale and success of the movement. Furthermore, the paper synthesises key findings from 8 to 10 representative case studies across India to illustrate tangible outcomes, such as improved financial independence, enhanced decision-making power, and increased community participation. The analysis concludes that SHGs are a powerful, bottom-up model for poverty alleviation and gender parity, though challenges related to market access, skill training, and internal governance persist.