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KeralaAgriculture & Rural Women / Entrepreneurship

Kudumbashree Mission

Kerala's state-wide women's empowerment and poverty-eradication mission

Government

State Government

Who it’s for

Women (especially from poor households)

Application mode

Through local Kudumbashree NHG/CDS office

Processing time

NHG membership to credit/enterprise support builds over months as the group matures.

Deadline / renewal

Ongoing — no application deadline; an established, long-running state mission.

What it provides

State-wide women-empowerment and poverty-eradication programme organising women into Neighbourhood Groups/SHGs, offering micro-credit, livelihood, entrepreneurship and skill-development support.

Benefits breakdown

Micro-creditVia NHG thrift & credit linkageBased on group savings and bank-linkage grading
Livelihood/enterprise supportVaries by activitySkill training and market linkage through CDS

Who’s eligible

Women, especially from poor/marginalised households in Kerala, willing to join a Kudumbashree Neighbourhood Group (NHG).

Documents required

  • Aadhaar card
  • Bank account details
  • NHG membership registration

How to apply

In-person / offline

  1. Contact the Community Development Society (CDS) office in your Panchayat/Municipality
  2. Join an existing Neighbourhood Group (NHG) or help form a new one
  3. Participate in regular thrift and savings meetings; access micro-credit, skill training and enterprise support over time

Helpline

Available on kudumbashree.org

FAQs

Is Kudumbashree only for very poor women?

While it prioritises poor and marginalised households, membership is broadly open to women wanting to join a local Neighbourhood Group.

Last verified 31 August 2026