Category Gender, Pluralism and Social Inclusion

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Menstrual Hygiene Scheme (2011): From Subsidised Napkin Packs to Free Supply in Schools

Menstruation is a natural biological process, but for many girls in India it arrives with “confusion, fear, anxiety and embarrassment” (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare [MoHFW], n.d.). A lot of that comes from silence. Periods have long been treated as something to hide, so girls often reach menarche without accurate information, and the taboos around menstruation can shape what they are told, what they are allowed to do and where they can go while they are menstruating. [ADD: one pre-2011 source or figure that backs the taboo and information-gap point, for example NFHS-3 (2005-06) or a published study, with its citation]

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Nationwide Financial Inclusion Saturation Campaign (21 October–31 December 2026): Bridging the Gap Between Scheme Enrolment and Effective Financial Protection in India 

Financial inclusion is often measured by the number of bank accounts opened or people enrolled in government schemes. However, access to financial services matters most when people can use them to manage financial risks, meet unexpected expenses and secure their future. For households with limited savings, the absence of insurance or pension coverage can make an unexpected event a serious economic setback. Financial inclusion, therefore, should not end with enrollment but should help people build greater financial security.

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Financial Inclusivity at the Margins: Policy Review of Haryana’s Mahila Samriddhi Yojana (2021)

The Mahila Samriddhi Yojana (MSY) in Haryana was structurally revamped and targeted in 2021 to address deep financial vulnerabilities among marginalized women (Government of Haryana, 2021). Implemented by the Haryana Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (HSFDC) and the Haryana Backward Classes and Economically Weaker Sections Kalyan Nigam (HBCEWKN), the scheme functions as a targeted financial inclusion model (Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, 2025). It operates in close collaboration with central apex corporations, including the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSCFDC) and the National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) (NBCFDC, 2026).

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SEED Scheme (2022): Economic Empowerment and Social Inclusion of Denotified, Nomadic and Semi Nomadic Communities in India

Denotified, Nomadic and Semi Nomadic (DNT) communities in India have faced long standing social discrimination, poverty and exclusion from development opportunities. During British rule, the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871 labelled several communities as criminal. Although the Act was repealed in 1952, many communities continued to face difficulties in accessing education, healthcare, housing and stable livelihoods. A major policy gap was the lack of targeted and coordinated support to address their specific needs. Existing welfare programmes did not always reach these communities effectively, particularly those who lacked secure housing, formal employment and access to essential services. To address these gaps, the Government of India launched the Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs (SEED) on 16 February 2022, with a budget of ₹200 crore for five years. The scheme provides support for free coaching, health insurance, livelihood activities and housing, with the aim of improving access to essential services, economic opportunities and social inclusion.

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Women’s Financial Inclusion in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands: A Policy Review of the Self-Help Group Empowerment Scheme (2024) 

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Rural Livelihood Mission (ANIRLM), operating under the Directorate of Rural Development, Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of the Union Territory Administration, has been implementing rural financial inclusion programmes since the 2015–16 fiscal year (Directorate of Rural Development, PRIs & ULBs, 2024). While early iterations focused strictly on the core institutional guidelines of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), the geographical fragmentation of the archipelago demanded a customized regional intervention (Ministry of Rural Development, 2025). Therefore the Andaman and Nicobar Women SHG Empowerment Scheme (Directorate of Rural Development, PRIs & ULBs, 2024).

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Kalibai Bheel Medhavi Chhatra Scooty Yojana (2020): Improving Girls’ Access to Higher Education in Rajasthan

Girls in Rajasthan have historically faced barriers to higher education due to household financial constraints, limited transport facilities and the distance between villages and colleges. These challenges can make daily commuting difficult and discourage girls from continuing their studies after school, particularly those from economically weaker families.

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Mukhyamantri Mahila Utkarsh Yojana (2020) : Expanding Women’s Access to Credit and Self Employment in Gujarat

Women in Gujarat, particularly those from low income households, have often faced difficulties in accessing affordable bank loans to start small businesses or expand existing livelihood activities. Limited access to credit and delays in loan approvals restricted their opportunities for self employment and financial independence. Women’s self help groups offered a way to improve access to finance through collective savings and support, but affordable credit remained an important challenge. To address this issue, the Gujarat government launched the Mukhyamantri Mahila Utkarsh Yojana on 17 September 2020. The scheme provides interest free loans of ₹1 lakh to eligible groups of ten women for income generating activities. Its main objective is to promote entrepreneurship, strengthen women’s financial independence and encourage economic participation in both rural and urban areas

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