Nai Roshni Scheme Empowering Minority Women in India

Published on 23 September 2025 by

The Nai Roshni Scheme is a Central Sector scheme initiated by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India. This scheme was launched in 2012-13, and it aims to empower minority women aged 18 to 65 years by providing knowledge, skills, and leadership training.

The program emphasizes leadership development, women’s empowerment, and social inclusion, enabling women to interact effectively with government institutions, banks, and other offices. It is implemented through NGOs, civil society organizations, and government institutions across the country.

Why is the Nai Roshni Scheme Important for Women?

Empowering women is crucial for social justice, economic growth, and poverty reduction. Women, particularly from minority communities, often face discrimination and are excluded from decision-making in families and communities. The Nai Roshni Scheme encourages them to:

  • Take up leadership roles.
  • Claim their rights and entitlements.
  • Access government services, skills, and opportunities.
  • Contribute to nation-building and community welfare.
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Who can Benefit from the Nai Roshni Scheme?

The scheme specifically targets women from minority communities notified under Section 2(c) of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992, which includes:

  • Muslims
  • Sikhs
  • Christians
  • Buddhists
  • Jains
  • Zoroastrians (Parsis)

Additionally, up to 25% of participants can be from non-minority communities, ensuring inclusivity and fostering social cohesion. Special emphasis is also laid on recruiting women from SC, ST, and OBC categories, as well as women with disabilities.

What are the Objectives of the Nai Roshni Scheme?

The Nai Roshni Scheme aims to achieve the following objectives:

  1. Empowerment and Confidence – Build confidence and self-reliance among minority women.
  2. Leadership Development – Equip women with knowledge and skills for leadership roles.
  3. Awareness – Educate women about legal rights, social issues, and government schemes.
  4. Social and Economic Development – Enable women to participate actively in society and contribute economically.
  5. Gender Equality – Address social stigmas and inequality faced by women in minority communities.
  6. Community Participation – Promote active involvement in local development and decision-making processes.

How does the Nai Roshni Scheme Work?

The scheme operates through a combination of residential and non-residential training programs. These trainings are conducted by Programme Implementing Agencies (PIAs) in communities to ensure accessibility.

  • Age Group: 18–65 years
  • Residential Training: 5 days
  • Non-Residential Training: 6 days
  • Implementation: NGOs, civil society organizations, government institutions

Training Modules:

The program covers a wide range of topics to ensure holistic development:

  1. Leadership – Training women to become confident decision-makers.
  2. Health and Hygiene – Promoting physical well-being and awareness.
  3. Legal Rights of Women – Understanding laws and rights to fight discrimination and exploitation.
  4. Financial Literacy – Educating women on banking, savings, and financial planning.
  5. Digital Literacy – Using digital tools to access services and opportunities.
  6. Swachh Bharat Initiatives – Encouraging sanitation and hygiene practices.
  7. Life Skills – Enhancing communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
  8. Advocacy for Social and Behavioral Change – Raising awareness about gender equality and social justice.

Additionally, the scheme provides financial assistance to help women start small businesses or take up employment opportunities.

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What is the History of the Nai Roshni Scheme?

The status of women in India, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, has historically been unfavorable. Discrimination starts before birth and continues through unequal allocation of resources for food, education, and healthcare.

Rural women often carry a double burden, managing household chores alongside agricultural work. Minority women, in particular, face marginalization and exclusion from decision-making.

To address these challenges, the Ministry of Minority Affairs reformulated and launched the Nai Roshni Scheme in 2012-13, focusing on leadership development and empowerment. Over the years, the scheme has evolved to include:

  • More inclusive participation
  • Enhanced training modules
  • Wider geographical reach
  • Integration into larger umbrella programs like PM VIKAS

How does the Nai Roshni Scheme Benefit Minority Women?

The scheme offers multiple social, economic, and educational benefits:

  1. Confidence and Empowerment: Women gain self-reliance and assertiveness.
  2. Skill Development: Training in leadership, finance, digital tools, and life skills.
  3. Access to Government Schemes: Awareness enables women to claim benefits and entitlements.
  4. Economic Independence: Financial literacy and skill training help women contribute economically.
  5. Community Impact: Women trained under the scheme also assist families and neighbors in raising demands from government authorities.
  6. Social Harmony: Promotes communal amity and social cohesion.

As per government records, around 4.35 lakh minority women were trained under the scheme by December 2022.

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How was the Efficacy of the Nai Roshni Scheme Evaluated?

NITI Aayog conducted an evaluation study across 8 states including Assam, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Punjab.

  • The scheme is well-received by the community.
  • Women have enhanced confidence and leadership capabilities.
  • Trained women are applying their knowledge locally, helping families and neighbors access services.
  • Socio-economic status of beneficiaries has improved.
  • The program contributes to communal harmony.

Recommendations from the study:

  1. Conduct more awareness programs.
  2. Extend training duration for better skill absorption.
  3. Include laws protecting women’s rights in training modules.
  4. Involve persons with disabilities in training.
  5. Include more women from the general category for inclusivity.

Which Other Schemes Complement Nai Roshni?

Several other schemes work alongside Nai Roshni to empower minority communities:

  • Garib Nawaz Employment Scheme – Employment support for minority communities.
  • Seekho aur Kamao – Skill development and employment opportunities.
  • Begum Hazrat Mahal Girls Scholarships – Educational support for minority girls.
  • Nai Manzil – Skill development for youth in minority communities.
  • USTAAD (Upgrading Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development) – Promoting cultural and craft-based employment opportunities.
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Common Questions on Nai Roshni Scheme

  1. How many minority communities are recognized in India?
    • Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis
  2. What is the primary objective of Nai Roshni Scheme?
    • Empower minority women with leadership, legal, financial, and life skills
  3. Which Ministry implements the Nai Roshni Scheme?
    • Ministry of Minority Affairs
  4. Who can participate in the scheme?
    • Minority women aged 18–65, up to 25% non-minority women allowed
  5. What are the training modules under the scheme?
    • Leadership, Health & Hygiene, Legal Rights, Financial & Digital Literacy, Life Skills, Swachh Bharat, Social & Behavioral Advocacy
  6. What type of organizations can implement the scheme?
    • NGOs, civil societies, government institutions, recognized universities, women cooperatives
  7. What is the significance of empowering mothers through this scheme?
    • Mothers shape the next generation and influence family welfare
  8. Under which umbrella scheme is Nai Roshni now implemented?
    • PM VIKAS (Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram)
  9. Which organization evaluated the efficacy of the scheme?
    • NITI Aayog
  10. What are the major benefits of the scheme?
    • Confidence, leadership, access to rights, economic independence, social inclusion

Key Takeaways Table

FeatureDetails
Scheme NameNai Roshni – Leadership Development of Minority Women
Launch Year2012-13
MinistryMinistry of Minority Affairs
Target GroupMinority women aged 18–65 years
Training ModulesLeadership, Health, Legal Rights, Financial Literacy, Digital Literacy, Life Skills, Swachh Bharat, Advocacy
ImplementationNGOs, Civil Societies, Government Institutions
Current StatusMerged into PM VIKAS
Fund AllocatedRs. 26 crore (2018-21)
Key BenefitsEmpowerment, confidence, leadership, social inclusion, economic independence

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Questions Based on Nai Roshni Scheme

  1. When was the Nai Roshni Scheme launched?
    a) 2010-11
    b) 2011-12
    c) 2012-13
    d) 2013-14
    e) 2014-15
  2. Which Ministry runs the Nai Roshni Scheme?
    a) Ministry of Women and Child Development
    b) Ministry of Minority Affairs
    c) Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
    d) Ministry of Rural Development
    e) Ministry of Tribal Affairs
  3. Who are the target beneficiaries of the Nai Roshni Scheme?
    a) Women aged 18-45
    b) Minority women aged 18-65
    c) All women aged 18-65
    d) Minority men aged 18-65
    e) Women above 60
  4. Which of the following communities is NOT recognized under the scheme?
    a) Muslims
    b) Sikhs
    c) Christians
    d) Hindus
    e) Parsis
  5. Maximum percentage of non-minority women allowed per project?
    a) 10%
    b) 20%
    c) 25%
    d) 30%
    e) 50%
  6. Which organization conducted the efficacy study of Nai Roshni?
    a) NITI Aayog
    b) Planning Commission
    c) Ministry of Minority Affairs
    d) NCERT
    e) RBI
  7. Which is NOT a training module under Nai Roshni?
    a) Leadership
    b) Health and Hygiene
    c) Legal Rights
    d) Sports and Athletics
    e) Digital Literacy
  8. Under which scheme is Nai Roshni now merged?
    a) PM Kisan
    b) PM VIKAS
    c) Ujjwala
    d) Skill India
    e) Atal Pension Yojana
  9. Which age group can participate in the scheme?
    a) 15-45
    b) 18-65
    c) 20-60
    d) 25-70
    e) 30-65
  10. How much fund was sanctioned between 2018-21 under Nai Roshni?
    a) Rs. 10 crore
    b) Rs. 15 crore
    c) Rs. 20 crore
    d) Rs. 26 crore
    e) Rs. 30 crore

Answer Key:

Question NumberCorrect Answer NumberQuestion NumberCorrect Answer Number
1c6a
2b7d
3b8b
4d9b
5c10d