Ministry of Rural Development to Establish 700 SHE-MARTs for Women Entrepreneurs

The Union Ministry of Rural Development announced the setup of 700 SHE-MARTs and 1,000 District Fulfilment Centres across the nation to uplift rural women micro-entrepreneurs.
The project operates under the framework of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
The physical infrastructure is aimed at strengthening supply chains and access to broader consumer markets for products crafted by self-help groups (SHGs).
This initiative actively backs the central government's targeted mission to create 6 crore 'Lakhpati Didis' (financially self-reliant rural women).
Additionally, the existing e-SARAS Portal is being fully modernized and converted into an interactive Multi-Vendor Marketplace.
Exam Perspective: This initiative showcases targeted financial inclusion, structured rural retail support, and the digitalization of grassroots women-led enterprises.

Key Facts / Static GK

DAY-NRLM stands for Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission.
DAY-NRLM was launched in June 2011 by the Ministry of Rural Development.
The term 'Lakhpati Didi' refers to an SHG member whose household annual income is Rs 1 Lakh or more.

Q Practice Quiz — 15 June 2026

1. Which of the following statements regarding the RELIEF Scheme 2026 is correct?

A It provides 100% risk coverage for all upcoming exports.

B It is managed by the Ministry of External Affairs.

C MSME exporters without insurance can get up to 50% reimbursement.

D The maximum reimbursement limit is ₹1 crore per exporter.

E It only covers exports to European nations.

Explanation: Under the RELIEF Scheme, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) exporters without ECGC insurance receive up to 50% reimbursement, with a limit of ₹50 lakh.

2. At which of the following venues was the first edition of the 'Bharat Innovates 2026' event inaugurated, where the ATL Bridge was launched?

A Palais des Festivals, Cannes

B Palais des Expositions de Nice, Nice

C UNESCO Headquarters, Paris

D Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi

E Palais de l'Élysée, Paris

Explanation: The 'Bharat Innovates 2026' exhibition was inaugurated at the Palais des Expositions de Nice, Nice, France, where the India-France ATL Bridge was launched.

3. What is the new verified viewership benchmark established by the Ministry of Ayush to claim the Guinness World Record for the most viewed live yoga stream?

A 2,46,252

B 3,50,112

C 4,35,831

D 5,12,654

E 4,98,220

Explanation: The Ministry of Ayush set a new Guinness World Record with 4,35,831 verified concurrent viewers on its YouTube Live Yoga Stream, surpassing the 2024 record of 2,46,252 viewers.

4. Which of the following regional festivals is primarily celebrated in Odisha to welcome the monsoon and pay tribute to the fertility of Mother Earth?

A Nuakhai

B Raja Parba

C Bihu

D Onam

E Pongal

Explanation: Raja Parba is a prominent agrarian festival celebrated in Odisha that marks the onset of the monsoon and honors the fertility and womanhood of Mother Earth.

5. With reference to the recent initiative by the Ministry of Rural Development, consider the following statements: 1. 700 SHE-MARTs and 1,000 District Fulfilment Centres are to be established. 2. The initiative is being implemented under the DAY-NRLM framework. 3. The e-SARAS Portal will be revamped into a Multi-Vendor Marketplace. Which of the statements given above are correct?

A 1 and 2 only

B 2 and 3 only

C 1 and 3 only

D All 1, 2, and 3

E None of the above

Explanation: All statements are correct. The Ministry of Rural Development will establish 700 SHE-MARTs and 1,000 District Fulfilment Centres under the DAY-NRLM to empower women, alongside revamping the e-SARAS portal.

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