Budget 2026 introduces ‘SHE Marts’ to boost women-led rural enterprises

The Union Budget 2026 has proposed the launch of Self-Help Entrepreneur (SHE) Marts, community-owned retail outlets aimed at strengthening market access and income opportunities for women-led businesses in rural India.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that SHE Marts will be established under cluster-level federations, creating structured retail platforms for products made by women entrepreneurs, particularly those associated with self-help groups (SHGs).

What Are SHE Marts?

SHE Marts are envisioned as community-run retail spaces that will showcase and sell goods produced by women-led enterprises. By offering a dedicated marketplace, the initiative seeks to address one of the biggest challenges faced by rural women entrepreneurs: consistent and reliable access to markets.

Key Objectives of the Initiative

The proposal is designed to deliver multiple benefits:

Improved Market Access: Providing women entrepreneurs with a visible retail platform for local products.

Brand Building: Helping women-led enterprises develop identity, packaging, and recognition.

Steady Income Streams: Creating more predictable sales channels compared to informal or seasonal markets.

Stronger Local Institutions: Reinforcing the role of self-help groups and cluster-level federations in economic activity.

Focus on Rural Women Entrepreneurs

The initiative places rural women at the centre of grassroots economic development. By linking production with organised retail structures, SHE Marts aim to bridge the gap between local manufacturing and broader consumer markets.

The proposal reflects the government’s continued emphasis on women-led development, entrepreneurship, and strengthening community-based institutions as engines of inclusive growth.