DAY-NRLM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission)

Overview / Introduction to the topic

Launched in June 2011 by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, DAY-NRLM is a centrally sponsored poverty alleviation programme restructured from the earlier Swarnajayanti Grameen Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY). As one of the world’s largest poverty reduction initiatives, it aims to reach approximately 10 crore rural poor households in a phased manner. The mission is built on the belief in the inherent potential of the rural poor and the pivotal role of robust grassroots institutions in driving sustainable development.

Objectives /Purpose 

• To reduce rural poverty sustainably by building strong grassroots institutions of the poor.

• To empower rural poor, especially women, to become self-reliant through capacity building, financial inclusion, and skill development.

• To enhance access to gainful self-employment and skilled wage employment opportunities.

• To promote comprehensive livelihoods covering multiple poverty dimensions – assets, income, consumption, and social risks.

• To facilitate social inclusion and ensure convergence with social security schemes and other poverty reduction programmes.

Target Audience 

• Rural poor households, especially women-led households.

• Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and SHG federations.

Key Components 

• Social mobilization and institution building

     a) Formation and strengthening of self-managed SHGs and federations.

     b) Mobilizing rural poor into strong institutional platforms.

• Financial inclusion

    a) Enabling access to affordable credit, savings, insurance, and other financial services.

• Sustainable livelihoods

    b) Building skills, creating market linkages, and promoting producer collectives and enterprises.

• Social inclusion and development

    a)Addressing vulnerabilities and ensuring access to social entitlements.

• Pro-poor approach & guiding principles

    a) Dedicated support structures, transparency, accountability, and ownership by the poor.

• Values

   a) Inclusion of the poorest, transparency, self-reliance, and meaningful participation of the poor in planning and monitoring.

Implementation

Implemented across states through State Rural Livelihoods Missions (SRLMs). In Assam, the Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission Society (ASRLMS) was established on 11th November 2011 to drive the mission’s objectives locally.

Achievements

To create a distinct identity for products made by rural women SHG members, ASRLMS launched the brand ASOMI. This flagship initiative empowers women by providing capacity building, credit linkage, and market access, thus fostering sustainable livelihoods. ASOMI represents both collective women’s identity and the essence of Assamese culture. Crafted in over 20 dynamic craft clusters, these products reach wider markets through collaborations such as the MoU with NE-SHILP, ensuring fair income for artisans. Through ASOMI and related interventions, NRLM has enhanced rural women’s economic empowerment, transforming them into entrepreneurs while preserving Assam’s rich artisanal traditions