Government schemes for women in Arunachal Pradesh, from DDUSY loans to the widow pension
Widows in Arunachal Pradesh can claim the CM widow pension from age 18 since April 2025 (it used to start at 40), and it rose by ₹300 a month. For business, DDUSY loans carry a 30% subsidy with 5% extra yearly interest help for women, and a third of the state's start-up seed fund is reserved for women founders.
Start here
- You are a widow, any age from 18
Apply for the CM widow pension on the social justice department portal or at your District Social Welfare Office. The age limit was cut from 40 to 18 in 2025. Chief Minister's Widow Pension (under the Chief Minister's Social Security Scheme)
- You want to start a business
Ask your Additional Deputy Commissioner or District Planning Officer about DDUSY: a 30% subsidy on the loan, and 5% extra yearly interest help for women. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Swavalamban Yojana (DDUSY)
- You live in a village and want to earn
Join a self-help group through ArSRLM. Groups get a ₹10,000 to ₹15,000 revolving fund and help with bank loan interest. Arunachal State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ArSRLM): SHG support and Lakhpati Didi
- Your group wants to learn from others
Ask the district Women and Child Development office about a learning tour: the state pays up to 70%, at most ₹3 lakh a group. Scheme for Empowerment of Women (exposure visits and educational tours)
- You have a start-up
Apply to the state seed fund. At least a third of it is kept for start-ups with a woman founder. Arunachal Pradesh Startup Policy 2022-23: women-led startup support
All schemes at a glance
| Scheme | What you get | Status | For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Minister's Widow Pension (under the Chief Minister's Social Security Scheme) | A monthly pension paid by direct bank transfer, raised by ₹300 a month in April 2025 | Open | A widow living in Arunachal Pradesh |
| Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Swavalamban Yojana (DDUSY) | Bank loan of ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore for a new business, with a 30% subsidy, and an extra 5% yearly interest subsidy for women | Open | Unemployed youth in Arunachal Pradesh who want to start a new enterprise |
| Scheme for Empowerment of Women (exposure visits and educational tours) | Up to 70% of the approved cost of a learning tour, with a maximum of ₹3 lakh per group | Open | Women aged 18 and above |
| Arunachal Pradesh Startup Policy 2022-23: women-led startup support | At least 33% of the state Seed Fund is set aside for startups led by women, plus an incubation programme for women | Open | A startup with a woman founder, co-founder or chief operating officer |
| Arunachal State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ArSRLM): SHG support and Lakhpati Didi | Revolving fund of ₹10,000 to ₹15,000 per group, and a bank-loan interest subsidy up to ₹3 lakh per group | Open | Rural poor households picked through a community process vetted by the Gram Sabha |
| Chief Minister's Soft Loan Scheme for ITI Pass-outs | Loan up to ₹3 lakh without collateral, 25% capital subsidy, 7% interest subsidy and a toolkit grant up to ₹15,000 | Closed | ITI graduate from Arunachal Pradesh |
Also open to women here, explained once on the schemes page: Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY), Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Lakhpati Didi under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana: National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS), National Career Service (NCS) Portal, e-Shram card (National Database of Unorganised Workers).
Find the schemes you can get
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The widow pension after the 2025 change
- Open from age 18. On 2 April 2025 the state cabinet cut the minimum age for the Chief Minister's widow pension from 40 to 18.
- ₹300 a month more. The same decision added ₹300 a month to the widow, old age and disability pensions. No official page states the new total; news reports say ₹2,000 a month, so confirm at your office.
- Apply on the social justice department portal or at your District Social Welfare Office.
Pages saying the widow pension starts at 40 are out of date. The 2025 cabinet decision opened it from 18.
Work: business loans, start-ups and training
- DDUSY bank loans of ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore for a new business, with a 30% state subsidy. You put in at least 10%, and women get 5% extra yearly interest help. The 2026 state start-up report still lists the women's benefit.
- Women-led start-ups: at least 33% of the state seed fund is set aside for start-ups with a woman founder, co-founder or chief operating officer, with an incubation programme for women.
- ITI pass-outs can get the CM soft loan of up to ₹3 lakh with a 25% subsidy. The 2026 round closed on 31 July; watch for the next one.
Arunachal has no unemployment allowance and no free bus for women, and we found no notified women's quota in state government jobs. A 10% quota announced in 2016 was never traced to an order.
Official helplines
| For | Number |
|---|---|
| State Commission for Women, Itanagar | 0360-2290549 |
| Self-help groups (ArSRLM) | srlmceo@gmail.com |
| Women's helpline | 181 |
| Emergency | 112 |
| Lost money to a fake link | 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in |
Each scheme in detail
Money every month
Chief Minister's Widow Pension (under the Chief Minister's Social Security Scheme)
OpenAlso called CM Widow Pension Scheme, CMSSS widow pension, Mukhya Mantri Vidhwa Pension Arunachal
A monthly pension paid by direct bank transfer, raised by ₹300 a month in April 2025
A monthly pension for widows, paid straight into the bank account. In April 2025 the state cabinet added ₹300 a month and lowered the minimum age for a widow from 40 to 18 years.
- Status
- Paying in 2026: the state cabinet raised it by ₹300 a month on 2 April 2025, and the department's application portal is live (checked 15 October 2026).
- Who can apply
- A widow living in Arunachal Pradesh
- Minimum age lowered from 40 to 18 years by the state cabinet on 2 April 2025
- Documents
- Aadhaar
- Bank account linked to Aadhaar
- Husband's death certificate
- Proof of residence in Arunachal Pradesh
- How to apply
- Open the Social Justice, Empowerment and Tribal Affairs portal
- Choose New Application Registration under Schemes
- Fill in the form and upload your papers
- Note your application number
In person: District Social Welfare Officer or the Deputy Commissioner's office in your district
- Run by
- Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Tribal Affairs, Government of Arunachal Pradesh
The official bulletin gives only the ₹300 rise, not the new total. A news report puts the widow pension at ₹2,000 a month, but the department page did not show it, so confirm the amount and the document list with your district office.
Checked 15 October 2026 against Regional English news bulletin, 2 April 2025 (cabinet decision), Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Tribal Affairs portal, Arunachal to give financial assistance of Rs 1,500 per month to all orphans (also reports pension rise) · Official page to apply
Skills and training
Scheme for Empowerment of Women (exposure visits and educational tours)
OpenAlso called Women exposure visit scheme, WCD Arunachal women empowerment
Up to 70% of the approved cost of a learning tour, with a maximum of ₹3 lakh per group
Pays for rural women's groups to visit successful enterprises, cooperatives and livelihood projects and learn from them. It is paid to a group, not to one woman.
- Status
- A district notice dated 30 June 2026 invites groups, with no closing date shown (checked 15 October 2026).
- Who can apply
- Women aged 18 and above
- Applied for through a self-help group or a registered NGO
- Up to 20 women in a group
- A district committee chaired by the Deputy Commissioner reviews groups
- Documents
- Group proposal
- Group registration papers
- After the tour: utilisation certificate, expense statement, photographs, success story
- How to apply
- Read the notice and linked PDF on the district website
- Prepare the group proposal
- Submit it to the district Women and Child Development office
In person: District Women and Child Development office or Deputy Commissioner's office
- Run by
- Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Arunachal Pradesh
This is a one-time learning trip grant for a group. It does not pay a monthly amount or give a loan. The notice page does not list the application steps.
Checked 15 October 2026 against Scheme for Empowerment of Women notice, 30/06/2026 · Official page to apply
Loans and grants for a business
Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Swavalamban Yojana (DDUSY)
OpenAlso called DDUSY, Swavalamban Yojana Arunachal, Swabalamban
Bank loan of ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore for a new business, with a 30% subsidy, and an extra 5% yearly interest subsidy for women
Helps unemployed young people start a business with a bank loan and a state subsidy. Women entrepreneurs get an extra 5% interest subsidy each year while the loan stays in good standing.
- Status
- The state's 2026 startup ranking report lists it as an active scheme with the women's extra benefit; district notice windows were not found for 2026 (checked 15 October 2026).
- Who can apply
- Unemployed youth in Arunachal Pradesh who want to start a new enterprise
- Activities: farm and allied value addition, eco-tourism such as homestays, traditional textile weaving, small manufacturing
- Applicant puts in at least 10% of the project cost
- Documents
- Detailed project report
- Filled application form (Annexure A) and declaration
- Certificates asked for in the form
- How to apply
- Prepare a project report
- Submit the form offline at the district office and keep the acknowledgement
- The district committee takes forms before the 25th of each month
- After state committee approval, apply for the loan at an eligible bank
In person: Office of the Additional Deputy Commissioner or District Planning Officer in your district
- Run by
- Department of Finance, Planning and Investment, Government of Arunachal Pradesh
Older district notices give different subsidy figures (a 2021 Changlang notice says up to 40% front-end). The district pages are dated 2018 to 2019. Ask your district office for the current guidelines before you invest.
Checked 15 October 2026 against Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Swavalamban Yojana, DDUSY, States' Startup Ecosystem Ranking 2026: Arunachal Pradesh State Report · Official page to apply
Arunachal Pradesh Startup Policy 2022-23: women-led startup support
OpenAlso called Arunachal startup policy, Arunachal Pradesh Seed Fund, Entrepreneurship Centre for Women
At least 33% of the state Seed Fund is set aside for startups led by women, plus an incubation programme for women
The state startup policy keeps a third of its Seed Fund for women-led startups, meaning a woman founder, co-founder or chief operating officer. An Entrepreneurship Centre for Women runs incubation and acceleration programmes.
- Status
- The 2026 Startup India state report names this policy as the one in force (checked 15 October 2026).
- Who can apply
- A startup with a woman founder, co-founder or chief operating officer
- Startup based in Arunachal Pradesh
- How to apply
- Ask the Finance, Planning and Investment Department's startup nodal officer for the current call for applications
In person: Department of Finance, Planning and Investment, Itanagar
- Run by
- Department of Finance, Planning and Investment (nodal), Government of Arunachal Pradesh
The report says the state set aside at least 33% of the Seed Fund. It does not give grant sizes or a deadline, so ask the nodal officer before you plan around it.
Checked 15 October 2026 against States' Startup Ecosystem Ranking 2026: Arunachal Pradesh State Report · Official page to apply
Arunachal State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ArSRLM): SHG support and Lakhpati Didi
OpenAlso called ArSRLM, DAY-NRLM Arunachal, Lakhpati Didi Arunachal, self help group Arunachal
Revolving fund of ₹10,000 to ₹15,000 per group, and a bank-loan interest subsidy up to ₹3 lakh per group
Rural women join a self-help group of 10 to 20 members. The group gets a start-up fund, bank credit with an interest subsidy, and training. Lakhpati Didi aims to lift each member's household income to ₹1 lakh a year.
- Status
- The state steering committee reviewed Lakhpati Didi work in June 2026 (checked 15 October 2026).
- Who can apply
- Rural poor households picked through a community process vetted by the Gram Sabha
- Groups usually have 10 to 20 members, mostly women
- Aajeevika skills training: age 18 to 35 from a rural poor household
- Documents
- Aadhaar
- Bank account
- How to apply
- Contact the block mission office or ArSRLM to join or start a group
- The group saves and keeps records for 3 to 6 months
- The group then becomes eligible for the revolving fund and bank loans
In person: ArSRLM, 3rd and 4th Floor, Alexander House, VIP Road, Itanagar 791111; email srlmceo@gmail.com
- Run by
- Arunachal State Rural Livelihoods Mission, Rural Development Department
The mission says it gives no direct money to individual members. Funds go to groups and federations. This is a centrally funded mission run by a state society.
Checked 15 October 2026 against ArSRLM FAQ, Regional English news bulletin, 19 June 2026 (Lakhpati Didi steering committee) · Official page to apply
Chief Minister's Soft Loan Scheme for ITI Pass-outs
ClosedAlso called CMSLS, ITI soft loan Arunachal
Loan up to ₹3 lakh without collateral, 25% capital subsidy, 7% interest subsidy and a toolkit grant up to ₹15,000
For ITI graduates from Arunachal Pradesh who finished training in the last three years and want to start a small business. It is open to women and men, with no women-only share.
- Status
- The 2026 round ran from 25 June to 31 July 2026 and has ended; watch the department for the next round (checked 15 October 2026).
- Who can apply
- ITI graduate from Arunachal Pradesh
- Finished ITI training within the last three years
- How to apply
- Read the notice and PDF on the district website when the next round opens
In person: Department of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship or your district office
- Run by
- Department of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of Arunachal Pradesh
The notice page does not state how to apply. The loan is paid in two tranches.
Checked 15 October 2026 against Chief Minister's Soft Loan Scheme for ITI Pass-outs notice
Fake schemes going around
These were checked and found false. A real scheme never asks you to pay to register, and never comes only as a WhatsApp link. If you lost money, call 1930 or report it at cybercrime.gov.in.
- Fake"The Arunachal widow pension is only for women over 40"
Out of date. The cabinet cut the age to 18 on 2 April 2025. All India Radio News, Itanagar
- Fake"DDUSY gives a 40% subsidy"
Current district pages say 30%. The 40% figure came from an older 2021 notice; confirm terms with your district office. Namsai District Administration
- FakeAn agent offering a state government job letter for money
Arunachal sacked 256 staff who joined with forged appointment letters. Real jobs come only through published recruitment. Deccan Herald, November 2023
More fake schemes, checked for all of India, are on the schemes page.
Questions
Is there a monthly scheme for all women in Arunachal Pradesh?
No. We found no monthly payment for all women in the 2026-27 budget.
At what age can a widow get the pension in Arunachal?
From 18. The minimum age was cut from 40 on 2 April 2025.
How much is the Arunachal widow pension?
It was raised by ₹300 a month in April 2025. News reports put the total at ₹2,000 a month; confirm at your District Social Welfare Office.
What is DDUSY?
Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Swavalamban Yojana: a bank loan of ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore for a new business with a 30% subsidy, and 5% extra yearly interest help for women.
What do self-help groups get?
A revolving fund of ₹10,000 to ₹15,000 per group and help with interest on bank loans up to ₹3 lakh, through ArSRLM.
Is there start-up help for women?
Yes. At least 33% of the state seed fund is kept for start-ups with a woman founder, co-founder or chief operating officer.
Is there an unemployment allowance or free bus in Arunachal?
No. Neither exists in Arunachal Pradesh in 2026.
Is there a women's quota in Arunachal government jobs?
We found no notified quota. A 10% figure from 2016 was never traced to an order.
Sources
- Cabinet decisions, 2 April 2025 All India Radio News, Itanagar
- Social Justice, Empowerment and Tribal Affairs portal Government of Arunachal Pradesh
- DDUSY notice Papum Pare District Administration
- Arunachal Pradesh state start-up report 2026 Startup India
- ArSRLM FAQ Arunachal State Rural Livelihoods Mission
- Scheme for empowerment of women, notice of 30 June 2026 Changlang District Administration
- Arunachal Pradesh Budget Analysis 2026-27 PRS Legislative Research
- Arunachal to give financial assistance of Rs 1,500 per month to all orphans (also reports pension rise) PTI via The Week
- Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Swavalamban Yojana Namsai District, nic.in
- Regional English news bulletin, 19 June 2026 (Lakhpati Didi steering committee) Prasar Bharati, All India Radio
- Chief Minister's Soft Loan Scheme for ITI Pass-outs notice Changlang District, nic.in
What changed
- First written with the April 2025 widow pension change and the 2026 start-up report.