Mission Shakti

Overview

Mission Shakti is an integrated umbrella scheme of the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) for the safety, security, and empowerment of women. Launched in the 15th Finance Commission cycle (2021-22 to 2025-26), it consolidates all previous women-centric schemes under two broad verticals — Sambal (Safety and Security) and Samarthya (Empowerment). The scheme reflects the Government of India’s commitment to a lifecycle approach to women’s welfare — from protection against violence to economic independence.

In the Union Budget 2025-26, Mission Shakti received an allocation of ₹3,150 crore — a significant increase from ₹2,181 crore the previous year — constituting approximately 12% of the total expenditure of the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

Sambal — Safety and Security Vertical

The Sambal vertical addresses women’s safety through emergency response, legal aid, and social protection. Budget allocation for 2025-26: ₹629 crore.

One Stop Centres (OSCs)

• Provide 24-hour integrated support to women affected by violence — in both private and public spaces.
• Services: emergency response and rescue, medical assistance, FIR lodging assistance, psychosocial counselling, legal aid, shelter, and video conferencing facility.
• Integrated with Women’s Helpline (181) for seamless referral.
• As of July 2025: 854 One Stop Centres operational across the country, having assisted over 12.2 lakh women.

Women’s Helpline (181)

• Universally accessible 24x7 toll-free helpline.
• Provides referral services for medical aid, police assistance, legal aid, psychosocial counselling, and temporary shelter.
• Acts as the first point of contact linking distressed women to OSCs and other institutional support.

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)

• Centrally Sponsored Scheme addressing declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and related gender issues.
• Implemented across 640+ districts with multi-sectoral convergence involving MoWCD, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
• Key Result (2014-15 to 2023-24): Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) improved from 918 to 930 — a net positive change of 12 points at the national level.
• Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of girls at secondary level increased from 75% to 78% over the same period.
• Sub-component: Kanya Shiksha Pravesh Utsav — targets approximately 4 lakh out-of-school adolescent girls for mainstreaming into the education system.

Nari Adalats

• Alternative dispute resolution mechanism for gender justice at the grassroots level.
• Composition: 7-9 members — half from the Gram Panchayat, half nominated.
• Headed by Mukhya Nyaya Sakhi with a 6-month tenure.
• Seeks to resolve family and community-level disputes affecting women without formal court proceedings.

Samarthya — Empowerment Vertical

The Samarthya vertical focuses on economic empowerment, maternity support, shelter, and capacity building. Budget allocation for 2025-26: ₹2,521 crore.

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)

• Cash incentive for partial wage loss compensation to pregnant and lactating women.
• First child: ₹5,000 in two instalments (linked to registration and ante-natal check-up).
• Second child (if girl): ₹6,000 in one instalment post-birth.
• Payment through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-seeded bank/post office accounts.
• As of January 2026: over 4.26 crore beneficiaries have received at least one instalment, with total disbursement of ₹20,060 crore since inception.
• Special registration drive extended till August 15, 2025.

Shakti Sadan (formerly Swadhar Greh)

• Provides shelter, food, clothing, medical care, and legal aid to women in difficult circumstances.
• Specifically supports trafficking victims and women needing rehabilitation.

Shakti Niwas (formerly Working Women’s Hostels)

• Safe and affordable accommodation for working women residing away from their hometown.
• Available in urban, semi-urban, and rural areas where employment opportunities exist.

Palna (National Creche Scheme)

• Day care facilities for children aged 0-6 years of working mothers (family income below ₹12,000/month).
• Services: supplementary nutrition, healthcare, sleeping facilities, early stimulation, pre-school education, and emergency medicine kit.

National Hub for Women Empowerment

• Central project monitoring unit (subsuming erstwhile Mahila Shakti Kendras).
• Coordinates with State and District-level hubs for convergent action on women’s empowerment programmes.

Latest Developments

• Union Budget 2025-26: Mission Shakti allocation increased to ₹3,150 crore from ₹2,181 crore — a hike of approximately 44%.
• 854 One Stop Centres operational (as of July 2025), having served over 12.2 lakh women since inception.
• PMMVY milestone: Over 4.26 crore beneficiaries served (as of January 2026); total disbursement crossed ₹20,060 crore.
• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao 10th anniversary celebrated January-March 2025 — SRB improved from 918 to 930 nationally.
• Nari Adalats being piloted in select districts for community-based gender dispute resolution.
• Special PMMVY registration drive extended till August 15, 2025 to cover left-out beneficiaries.

Prelims Importance

• Mission Shakti is an umbrella scheme with two verticals: Sambal (safety) and Samarthya (empowerment).
• One Stop Centres are linked to Women’s Helpline 181 — not 112 (emergency) or 1098 (childline).
• PMMVY benefit: ₹5,000 for first child; ₹6,000 for second child only if the second child is a girl.
• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao is a tri-ministerial scheme: MoWCD + Ministry of Education + Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
• Nari Adalat head is called Mukhya Nyaya Sakhi (6-month tenure).
• Budget 2025-26 allocation: ₹3,150 crore (Sambal ₹629 crore + Samarthya ₹2,521 crore).
• 854 OSCs operational across India (as of July 2025).
• SRB improved from 918 to 930 under BBBP (2014-15 to 2023-24).

Mains & Interview Importance

GS Paper 1 (Society): Role of women in Indian society; feminization of poverty; gender-based violence and its socio-economic determinants; impact of welfare schemes on women’s status.

GS Paper 2 (Governance & Social Justice): Government policies for vulnerable sections; welfare schemes and their implementation challenges; role of NGOs and SHGs in women’s empowerment; evaluation of DBT-based maternity benefit programmes.

Possible Mains Questions:

• Critically evaluate the effectiveness of the umbrella approach under Mission Shakti in addressing women’s safety and empowerment. Has the convergence of multiple schemes under one framework improved outcomes?
• One Stop Centres are designed to provide integrated support to women facing violence. Discuss the challenges in their implementation and suggest measures to improve their reach and effectiveness.

Interview Angle: “India has 854 One Stop Centres serving over 12 lakh women — yet domestic violence remains pervasive. Is the problem one of coverage, awareness, or deeper social attitudes? What would you prioritize?”