Union Budget 2026: Govt Unveils ‘SHE-Marts’ to Scale Rural Women Enterprises

The Union Budget for 2026–27 has unveiled a set of women-focused initiatives aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship, improving access to education and creating long-term economic opportunities across rural and urban India. 

SHE Marts to Promote Women Owned Enterprises 

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the launch of SHE (Self-help Entrepreneur) Marts to support women-led enterprises, particularly in rural areas.  

Building on the Lakhpati Didi initiative, the programme is intended to help women transition from credit-linked livelihoods to enterprise ownership.   

The SHE Marts will operate as community-owned retail outlets within cluster-level federations, providing market access to women entrepreneurs and being supported through enhanced and innovative financing instruments.  

Emphasising the role of local collectives, she added that “SHE (Self-help Entrepreneur) marts will be set up as community-owned retail outlets to help women entrepreneurs.” 

Nationwide Hostel Plan for Women Students 

The budget also announced a nationwide plan to strengthen accommodation facilities for women students. Sitharaman said that “through VGF (viability gap funding) and capital support, one girls hostel will be established in every district.”  

Explaining the need for the initiative, she noted that “in higher education, STEM institutions, prolonged hours of study and laboratory work pose some challenges to girl students.”  

The proposed hostels are aimed at addressing these constraints and supporting sustained participation of women in advanced education. 

University Townships Near Economic Corridors 

In addition to entrepreneurship and education initiatives, the budget outlined plans to create new academic clusters near major economic hubs.  

These townships are expected to host multiple colleges, institutions and research institutions, skill centres and residential complexes, integrating education, skills and residential infrastructure in key growth regions. 

Read More: Budget 2025 vs 2026: How India’s Fiscal Strategy Has Evolved! 

Conclusion 

With the introduction of SHE Marts, district-level girls’ hostels and planned university townships, Budget 2026–27 has outlined a multi-pronged approach to support women’s entrepreneurship, education and participation in the evolving economy. 

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