Pillar: Opportunity Infrastructure
The National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) — also called Aajeevika or DAY-NRLM — is the central government's main programme for reducing rural poverty through community-based organisations. It works by organising poor rural women into Self-Help Groups (SHGs), building their savings and credit habits, linking them to banks, and helping them start or strengthen livelihoods. NRLM is not a single building — it is a structure of community institutions (SHGs, Village Organisations, Cluster Level Federations) supported by mission staff at the block and district level. If you live in a rural area, SHGs are likely the most widespread organised platform for women in your district.
If you or a woman in your family wants to save, access affordable credit, start a small enterprise, or get trained in a livelihood skill, the NRLM system — through SHGs and their federations — is the most accessible entry point in rural India.
- Form SHGs and build them into Village Organisations and Cluster Level Federations - Enable SHG bank linkage: internal lending → Revolving Fund (Rs 20,000-30,000 per SHG) → Community Investment Fund (up to Rs 2.5 lakh per SHG) → bank loans at 7% with interest subvention - Build last-mile financial inclusion through BC Sakhis (SHG members trained and IIBF-certified as Business Correspondents under the "One GP one BC Sakhi" mission) operating micro-ATMs for cash-in/cash-out, DBT, and digital transactions, alongside financial-literacy work by Bank Sakhis - Promote farm livelihoods through Krishi Sakhis and non-farm livelihoods through SVEP enterprise development - Deliver convergence services: SHGs serve as a platform for VB-G RAM G, PDS monitoring, nutrition, and social entitlements - Train SHG members in bookkeeping, financial literacy, and group management - Train community cadres (CRPs, Bank Sakhis, Krishi Sakhis) as a para-professional workforce
Portal: nrlm.gov.in — district and block-level data on SHGs, VOs, CLFs, bank linkage, and community cadres Also: Contact the DRDA / District Rural Development Officer; the DMMU usually sits in or near this office
For what this looks like in a particular district, start from the district courses or the English reference guide (Hindi).