Shilp Didi Programme: Empowering Women Artisans for Lakhpati Status and Export Success

Shilp Didi Programme 2025 latest: Ministry of Textiles initiative empowering women artisans with digital training, e-commerce, exhibitions. Success stories, income boost to ₹5 lakh+ & link to Lakhpati Didi.

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Launched by the Office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, the Shilp Didi Programme is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at economically empowering female artisans across India. Started on a pilot basis in 2024, it has rapidly gained momentum in 2025, helping women turn traditional skills into sustainable businesses and even achieve Lakhpati Didi status (annual income over ₹1 lakh).

As of December 2025, Union Textiles Secretary Neelam Shami Rao highlighted that the programme has enabled several Shilp Didis to earn over ₹5 lakh annually, with many securing export orders and expanding their enterprises.

What Is the Shilp Didi Programme?

The programme focuses on financial independence and entrepreneurship for women in the handicrafts sector:

Pilot Phase (2024): Selected 100 women artisans (Shilp Didis) from 72 districts across 23 states, covering 30 diverse crafts.
Key Components:
- Online training for e-commerce onboarding (platforms like Amazon, Flipkart).
- Social media marketing skills.
- GST registration assistance.
- Inventory, catalogue, and order management.
- Physical exhibitions for direct marketing.

Events like the Shilp Didi Mahotsav at Dilli Haat (August 2024) and participation in National Handicrafts & Heritage Week 2025 provided platforms to showcase products and connect with buyers.

Success Stories: From Home Skills to Export Businesses

Real-life impacts in 2025:

Nivedita Prajapati (Jewellery Designer): Secured international export orders through Shilp Didi exhibitions; income surged significantly.
Priya (Hand-Embroidery Artisan): Expanded her team, training more women and turning her craft into a community enterprise.
Many Shilp Didis report: “My income has increased a lot – Shilp Didi is true women’s empowerment.”

In the pilot, 37 women became Lakhpati Didis within 100 days, generating employment for others.

Benefits of Shilp Didi Programme

Benefit	Impact
Digital Empowerment	Artisans sell online, reaching global customers
Higher Income	Some cross ₹5 lakh; aim for more Lakhpati Didis
Export Opportunities	Direct orders from international buyers
Entrepreneurship Growth	Women become employers, leading community development
Rural Economy Boost	Sustainable non-farm livelihoods in handicrafts

The initiative aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat and the broader Lakhpati Didi goal of empowering 3 crore women through SHGs.

Link to Lakhpati Didi Initiative

Shilp Didi complements the Ministry of Rural Development’s Lakhpati Didi scheme:

Focuses specifically on handicraft artisans.
Helps women achieve ₹1 lakh+ household income through crafts.
Encourages scaling beyond personal earnings to job creation.

Government vision: “We want artisans not just to earn for themselves but to generate employment for others.”

Future of Shilp Didi in 2025 & Beyond

With proven success, the programme is set for expansion:

Deeper penetration into clusters.
More training centers and infrastructure.
Integration with National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP).

Events like National Handicrafts Week (December 2025) continue to celebrate Shilp Didis through live demos and masterclasses.

How to Join or Support Shilp Didi

Artisans: Contact local Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) offices or NHDP clusters.
Buyers: Support by purchasing from Shilp Didi exhibitions or online listings.

Conclusion

The Shilp Didi Programme is more than skill training – it’s a movement turning rural women artisans into confident entrepreneurs, exporters, and leaders. In 2025, it stands as a shining example of how targeted government support can drive women’s empowerment, preserve traditional crafts, and boost India’s handicraft exports.