Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, 12 June commemorated what he called '12 Years of Nari Shakti' under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, highlighting women's growing participation across sectors from financial inclusion and healthcare to space technology and governance. The occasion served as a stocktaking of a decade-plus of women-focused policy, with several flagship schemes now reporting significant scale.

Key Developments

Using the hashtag #12YearsOfNariShakti, Modi said the government's approach has been anchored in three principles: dignity, opportunity, and empowerment. 'The efforts of the NDA Government are rooted in dignity, opportunity and empowerment. They have helped create an environment where women can realise their full potential and contribute even more strongly to nation-building,' he said in a post on social media.

He separately noted satisfaction at women's increasing footprint in emerging sectors. 'I am particularly happy to see India's Nari Shakti make a mark in sectors like science, space and innovation. Their growing participation in emerging fields such as drone technology is opening new avenues of opportunity,' Modi said.

Mudra Yojana and Financial Inclusion Numbers

Among the most cited figures was the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), launched in 2015, which has disbursed collateral-free loans totalling more than ₹40 lakh crore since inception. Of this, nearly ₹17 lakh crore has gone to women beneficiaries, according to government data as of March 2025.

On the banking front, of the more than 58 crore accounts opened under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), approximately 33 crore — or roughly 57% — belong to women. Complementary schemes such as Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana and the Womaniya initiative have further broadened women's access to savings and entrepreneurial platforms.

Social Indicators: Sex Ratio and Livelihoods

The government also pointed to movement in social indicators. The national sex ratio at birth, a key metric tracked under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign, has improved from 918 in 2014-15 to 929 in 2024-25. The Lakhpati Didi programme, which targets sustainable annual incomes of at least ₹1 lakh for women in Self Help Groups (SHGs), was also highlighted as a vehicle for grassroots financial independence.

Modi described women as 'the cornerstone of nation-building', adding that 'our mothers, sisters, and daughters are enhancing the glory of Maa Bharati across every sector through their remarkable talent and skills.'

Broader Context

The government's emphasis on women-led development has intensified since the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill in 2023, which reserves 33% of seats in Parliament and state assemblies for women, pending a delimitation exercise. The 12-year framing positions these welfare and empowerment metrics as a cumulative record ahead of electoral cycles. Critics have previously noted that while scheme coverage has expanded substantially, translating access to outcomes — particularly in rural labour force participation, where women's rates remain among the lowest in comparable economies — remains a structural challenge.

With SHG networks expanding and drone-sector skilling initiatives gaining ground, the government appears to be pivoting its women-empowerment narrative toward economic productivity, not just welfare delivery.