Yogi Adityanath Sets 50% Women Digital Entrepreneur Target

By: Women Entrepreneurs Review Team | Friday, 28 August 2026

The Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has declared a new initiative in the direction of involving women in the state's digital entrepreneurship system and plans to have 50 percent of the digital entrepreneurs in 8,000 nyaya panchayats, across the state.

Addressing the role of women in the development of the State, Yogi added that the government was working towards making policies for women from birth till education, employment and income generation.

The self-help groups are already being led by women to carry on certain economic activities at grassroots level, the Chief Minister gave to understand. These involve farming, livestock rearing, food processing, retail and handicrafts. He also stated that BC Sakhis have also been contributing in villages for increasing access to banking services thereby contributing to better financial inclusion and economic participation by women.

Key Highlights

• UP targets 50% women digital entrepreneurs across 8,000 nyaya panchayats
• Women-led self-help groups are driving grassroots economic activities statewide
• BC Sakhis are expanding banking access across rural communities

Yogi also spoke about the state's initiatives towards women workforce participation. He said that the percentage of women working in Uttar Pradesh rose from 12% in pre-2017 times to 36% now, with the government aiming to achieve 50 per cent.Pre-2017, the percentage of women was 12, now it is 36, government wants it to be 50 per cent, he added.

“If half of the population remained confined to their homes, UP was bound to become a Bimaru state,” he said, underlining the importance of women’s economic participation in the state’s development.

The Chief Minister also emphasized the strengthening of the women's presence in the police force, a step towards improving women's security. Earlier the women police in Uttar Pradesh had 10,000 personnel, which has now been increased to 45,000, he said.

Yogi also mentioned a few government schemes to promote the empowerment of women and girls. Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana offers education support to the girl child from birth till graduation. The government is also giving a financial assistance of ₹1 lakh to marry a daughter.

Under destitute, old-age and Divyangjan pension schemes, 1.10 crore families are receiving ₹12,000 annually, according to the Chief Minister.

The government is also focusing on women’s housing security. Yogi said that the women residing in the rural houses have been given ownership rights, also known as gharauni, to a number exceeding one crore houses. Housing has been provided to 65 lakh families and nutrition support is being provided to mothers and children through Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana and Mukhyamantri Suposhan Yojana.

As part of its support for working women, the Uttar Pradesh government is constructing hostels named after Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar in Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, Ghaziabad, Moradabad, Bareilly, Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Gorakhpur, Varanasi and Jhansi. Up to 500 working women will be allowed to stay in each hostel at no cost.

Yogi also pointed out the example of Ahilyabai Holkar, who was an example of women leadership and good governance. Her role in the conservation of India's spiritual and cultural heritage, particularly the efforts to restore the beautiful temples like Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Somnath temple.

The Chief Minister also appealed to the women to join the efforts in building the security infrastructure of the State by tying Raksha Sutras to their brothers, soldiers, ex-servicemen, police officials on the occasion of Rakshabandhan.

With the government's recent announcement of a new digital entrepreneurship target, Uttar Pradesh has taken a new step in its initiative to empower women, this time with a focus on rural entrepreneurship, digital inclusion, and financial independence, as well as women-led economic development.