Government schemes for women in Himachal Pradesh, from Pyari Behna to half-fare buses

Also called Pyari Behna scheme, Himachal Rs 1500 scheme for women, IGPBSSNY, Sukh Samman Nidhi

₹1,500 a month paid into her bank account

A woman who lives permanently in Himachal and has no one in her family in the excluded groups (government job, pension, income tax, GST and similar) gets ₹1,500 a month. She must apply; it is not automatic.

Status

Applications are taken at the Tehsil Welfare Officer office and payments are going out in stages: about 35,687 women had been paid by 1 August 2026 (checked 12 October 2026).

Who can apply

• Woman aged 18 to 59 (until she completes 59) who is a permanent resident of Himachal Pradesh, as per the 13 March 2024 notification
• Buddhist nuns (chomo) living permanently in monasteries are also covered
• No family member can be a central or state government employee or pensioner, including contract, outsourced, daily-wage and part-time staff
• No family member can be a serving or former soldier, or an army widow
• Not covered: honorarium Anganwadi workers and helpers, ASHA, mid-day meal and multi-task workers, social security pension holders, employees of panchayats, local bodies and public undertakings, and anyone registered for goods and services tax or paying income tax
• Family means husband or wife and adult or unmarried children listed with her in the Parivar Register (rural) or ration card (urban) on 31 March 2023

Documents

• Age proof
• Himachali bonafide or domicile certificate
• Bank or post office passbook copy
• Aadhaar copy
• Parivar Register copy (rural) or ration card copy (urban)

How to apply

1. Take the application form (Form 1) free from the Tehsil Welfare Officer or District Welfare Officer office
2. Attach one photo and the documents listed above
3. Submit to the Tehsil Welfare Officer, who returns incomplete forms within 15 days
4. Payment comes to the bank account after approval by the competent officer

In person: Tehsil Welfare Officer or District Welfare Officer office

Run by

Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of Himachal Pradesh

Payments are slow. 8,14,167 women had applied but only about 35,687 had been paid by 1 August 2026, and many constituencies had fewer than 100 paid women. News reports from April to June 2026 say a newer order limits the scheme to women aged 21 to 59 in families earning under ₹2 lakh a year, and one woman per family. We could not open that order, so check these two limits with the Tehsil Welfare Officer before you apply.

Checked 12 October 2026 against Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh-Samman Nidhi Yojana on myScheme, Himachal Pradesh Budget Analysis 2026-27, Haroli tops Pyari Behna scheme (payment figures as of 1 August 2026), Verification process changed (18 June 2026) · Official page to apply

Also called Vidhwa pension, Ekal Nari pension, Parityakta pension, Swarna Jayanti Nari Sambal Yojana

₹1,150 a month

A monthly pension for widows, deserted women and single women in Himachal. The state notification of 8 April 2022 fixed it at ₹1,150 a month from 1 April 2022.

Status

Rate of ₹1,150 a month set from 1 April 2022 and no later change found; checked 12 October 2026.

Who can apply

• Widow, deserted or single (ekal) woman living in Himachal Pradesh
• Women with 40 to 69 percent disability are paid the same ₹1,150 under the disability relief allowance

Documents

• Age proof or other supporting papers
• Undertaking
• Aadhaar
• Bank passbook

How to apply

1. Fill the application form with the age proof or papers and the undertaking
2. Submit it directly to the Tehsil Welfare Officer or District Welfare Officer office

In person: Tehsil Welfare Officer or District Welfare Officer office

Run by

Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of Himachal Pradesh

Some websites say ₹1,500 or an income limit of ₹35,000. The April 2022 official notification says ₹1,150. A news report from January 2026 says the income limit and the gram sabha approval step were removed; we could not open an official order for that, so ask the welfare officer.

Checked 12 October 2026 against Widow/Abandoned/Single Woman Pension Scheme on myScheme · Official page to apply

Also called Nari ko Naman, HRTC half ticket for women, Him Bus Card

Half price on tickets in HRTC ordinary buses inside Himachal

A woman pays 50 percent of the fare in HRTC ordinary buses for travel inside the state. It is a discount, not free travel, except on a few festival days.

Status

HRTC lists the 50 percent discount for women on ordinary buses within the state; it works through the Him Bus Card, and the rollout of the card has been going on (checked 12 October 2026).

Who can apply

• Women travelling within Himachal on HRTC ordinary buses
• HRTC says the facility is to be used through a Him Bus Card prepared by the woman
• Free travel for women within the state only on Raksha Bandhan and Bhaiya Dooj; for Muslim women on Eid and Bakreed

Documents

• Him Bus Card (RFID card)

How to apply

1. Ask at the nearest HRTC bus station about making the Him Bus Card
2. Show the card to the conductor when you board an ordinary bus

In person: HRTC bus station or depot

Run by

Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC), Government of Himachal Pradesh

Only ordinary buses and only inside Himachal. We could not confirm from an official order the date on which the card becomes compulsory; ask the conductor or depot.

Checked 12 October 2026 against Free and concessional travelling facilities provided by HRTC, High Court rejects plea against 50 percent discount to women in buses · Official page to apply

Also called Rozgar karyalaya registration, HP employment exchange, eemis.hp.gov.in

Registration on the live register, job and job fair listings, and the base for state allowances

A Himachali jobseeker registers online with her local Employment Exchange to get job and job fair notices. Registration is also needed for the Skill Development Allowance.

Status

Online registration and renewal are available on the portal; checked 12 October 2026.

Who can apply

• Himachali, older than 14 years
• Registers through the Employment Exchange that covers her contact address

Documents

• Educational certificates
• Himachali proof
• Aadhaar

How to apply

1. Open the portal and click New Registration
2. Renew every 3 years (2 months extra time allowed)
3. Requests are processed within 30 days as per the portal

In person: Your district Employment Exchange; head office phone 0177-2625277

Run by

Department of Labour and Employment, Government of Himachal Pradesh

Registration does not bring a job or money by itself. The portal does not say which documents are needed.

Checked 12 October 2026 against Employment Exchange MIS portal, Department of Labour and Employment · Official page to apply

Also called PM Internship Yojana, PMIS 9000 stipend, pminternship

₹9,000 a month (minimum, subject to attendance) plus a one-time joining grant of ₹6,000

A paid internship in a large company for young people aged 18 to 25 who are not in a full-time job. Since April 2026 final-year undergraduate and postgraduate students can also apply with a college NOC.

Status

Round 3 of the pilot is running in 2026 with companies posting internships on an ongoing basis (PIB, 22 Apr and 21 May 2026). Checked 1 Oct 2026.

Who can apply

• Indian youth aged 18 to 25 years
• Not in full-time employment
• Final-year UG and PG students may apply with a No Objection Certificate from their institution
• Applicants must meet the other existing eligibility criteria of the scheme

Documents

• Aadhaar
• Aadhaar-linked bank account
• College NOC (final-year students only)

How to apply

1. Register on the PMIS portal or app with Aadhaar
2. Fill your profile and pick internships
3. Accept an offer if selected

In person: Helpline 1800 11 6090

Run by

Ministry of Corporate Affairs

Still a pilot. The 2024 pilot rules excluded anyone whose family member earned over ₹8 lakh a year, had a government job, or who held degrees such as CA, MBA, MBBS or from IITs and IIMs; check the current rules on the portal.

Checked 1 October 2026 against MCA expands eligibility of PMIS to final-year students (22 Apr 2026), PMIS: MY Bharat awareness campaign, ₹9,000 plus ₹6,000 joining grant (21 May 2026), A Pathway to Professional Growth: PM's Internship Scheme (pilot rules, Oct 2024) · Official page to apply

Also called NCS job portal, Jobs for Women, employment exchange online, ncs.gov.in

Free job search, job fairs, career counselling and a 'Jobs for Women' section

The government's free job portal for private and government jobs, job fairs and career guidance. It has a 'Jobs for Women' link on the home page and connects to e-Shram and Skill India.

Status

Running in 2026; over 6.02 crore jobseekers and 8.17 crore vacancies as of 20 Nov 2025 (PIB, 4 Dec 2025). Checked 1 Oct 2026.

Who can apply

• Any jobseeker in India

How to apply

1. Open ncs.gov.in and sign up as a Jobseeker
2. Complete your profile and open 'Jobs for Women' or search jobs
3. e-Shram card holders can register using their UAN

In person: District Employment Exchange / Model Career Centre

Run by

Ministry of Labour and Employment (Directorate General of Employment)

NCS never charges a fee at any stage. Anyone asking for money in NCS's name is a fraud. Many listings are low-paid, so check the employer.

Checked 1 October 2026 against National Career Service home page ('Jobs for Women', 'NCS services are free of cost'), Over 6 crore jobseekers registered on NCS (4 Dec 2025) · Official page to apply

Also called eShram, e Shram card, shramik card, UAN card

Free e-Shram card with a Universal Account Number (UAN) that links you to 14 central welfare schemes, NCS jobs, Skill India and the PM-SYM pension (₹3,000 a month from age 60 if you join between 18 and 40)

A free ID card for informal workers such as domestic workers, home-based workers, farm labourers and vendors. It does not pay money by itself, but makes it easier to reach insurance, pension, housing and job schemes.

Status

Registration open and free; over 31.48 crore workers registered by 26 Jan 2026 (PIB, 2 Feb 2026). Checked 1 Oct 2026.

Who can apply

• Unorganised workers aged 16 to 59: home-based, self-employed or wage workers in the unorganised sector
• Not a member of EPFO or ESIC

Documents

• Aadhaar number
• Aadhaar-linked mobile number (or biometric at a CSC)

How to apply

1. Self-register on eshram.gov.in or the e-Shram app with Aadhaar and OTP
2. Or go to a Common Service Centre (it must not charge you)
3. Download the card and use the One-Stop-Solution page to see linked schemes

In person: Common Service Centre (CSC) or State Sewa Kendra

Run by

Ministry of Labour and Employment

The card has no cash benefit of its own; messages promising money 'on your e-Shram card' are not from the government. Registration is totally free.

Checked 1 October 2026 against e-SHRAM cards for unorganised workers (2 Feb 2026), e-Shram FAQs (age 16 to 59, free registration), Benefits under e-Shram card (PM-SYM pension) · Official page to apply

Also called HPKVN, Kaushal Vikas Nigam, Himachal skill courses, PMKVY Himachal

Job-role training courses; the fee and any stipend were not stated on the pages we opened

State-run short skill courses such as self-employed tailor, beauty therapist, hair stylist and domestic data entry operator. Entry needs a pass in class 8, 10 or 12 depending on the course.

Status

The HPKVN site lists courses and eligibility and was live in 2026; individual batches open and close, so ask the office (checked 12 October 2026).

Who can apply

• Course eligibility differs by job role: self-employed tailor and hair stylist, class 8; beauty therapist and domestic data entry operator, class 10
• Himachali bonafide certificate, address proof and identity proof are asked for in short-term training

Documents

• Identity proof
• Address proof
• Himachali bonafide certificate
• Education certificate for the chosen course

How to apply

1. Pick a job role on the Course and Eligibility page
2. Download the application form for skill training from the Admission page
3. Email the filled form to skill.application@hpkvn.org, or use the state skill registration form

In person: HPKVN head office, SDA Complex, Kasumpti, Shimla; phone 0177-2623383

Run by

Himachal Pradesh Kaushal Vikas Nigam (state skill development corporation)

HPKVN trains both women and men; nothing here is only for women. Free training, hostel and age limits were reported for earlier programmes, but we did not find them stated for 2026.

Checked 12 October 2026 against Course and Eligibility, Admission, Registration Form for Training · Official page to apply

Also called SDA scheme, Himachal skill allowance, Bhatta for training

₹1,000 a month for up to 2 years while in skill training

An unemployed Himachali registered at the Employment Exchange gets ₹1,000 a month while she is enrolled in a skill training course, for at most two years.

Status

Still listed under Schemes on the Labour and Employment Department page on 12 October 2026; we found no 2026 payment report.

Who can apply

• Bonafide Himachali, above 16 and below 36 years of age
• Passed class 8, with no minimum for masonry, carpentry, blacksmithy, plumbing and similar trades
• On the Live Register of an Employment Exchange in Himachal
• Family income below ₹2 lakh a year (all sources, including spouse)
• Not employed or self-employed (MGNREGA work does not count as a job) and enrolled in a skill course

Documents

• Class 8 or 10 marks sheet for age and qualification
• Affidavit in Form C
• Application in Form A

How to apply

1. Register on the Employment Exchange live register first
2. Enrol in a skill training course
3. Submit Form A with the documents to the Employment Exchange where you are registered

In person: District Employment Exchange

Run by

Department of Labour and Employment, Government of Himachal Pradesh

Open to men and women. Women with 50 percent or more disability get ₹1,500. We could not confirm whether the separate state Unemployment Allowance Scheme is paying in 2026, so it is not listed.

Checked 12 October 2026 against Skill Development Allowance Scheme 2013, Department of Labour and Employment, Schemes · Official page to apply

Also called MMSY, Swavalamban Yojana Himachal, Himachal self employment subsidy

Investment subsidy of 35 percent for a woman-led unit, plus 5 percent interest subsidy for three years on a loan up to ₹60 lakh

A subsidy for a Himachali woman who starts a new unit in the state. A woman-led enterprise gets a 35 percent investment subsidy, against 25 percent for others.

Status

The online portal mmsy.hp.gov.in was taking applications when checked on 12 October 2026; no window or deadline is shown.

Who can apply

• Bonafide Himachali aged 18 to 45 when filling the form, with 5 years extra allowed for women (up to 50)
• Woman-led enterprise means a sole proprietor who is a woman, or a company, LLP or firm owned entirely by eligible Himachali women
• New unit inside Himachal; subsidy on plant and machinery up to ₹60 lakh with total project cost up to ₹100 lakh
• One scheme only: a unit cannot take both central and state subsidy for the same purpose

Documents

• Age proof (10th certificate, birth certificate or passport)
• Himachali bonafide certificate
• Project report
• Bank loan sanction

How to apply

1. Fill the common application form on the MMSY portal
2. The bank appraises and sanctions the loan; the District Industries Centre approves the subsidy
3. Subsidy goes to the bank in two parts: 60 percent first, 40 percent after the unit is inspected and starts production

In person: District Industries Centre (General Manager, DIC) in your district

Run by

Department of Industries, Government of Himachal Pradesh

The rates come from the notification as amended up to 20 April 2022. A later amendment may exist; check on the portal. The portal warns that MMSY uses no private agents or middlemen.

Checked 12 October 2026 against MMSY notification as amended up to 20-04-2022, Mukhya Mantri Swavalamban Yojana portal · Official page to apply

Also called Mudra loan, PM Mudra, Shishu Kishor Tarun loan, Tarun Plus

Business loan without collateral up to ₹20 lakh: Shishu up to ₹50,000, Kishor ₹50,000 to ₹5 lakh, Tarun ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh, Tarun Plus ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh

A loan from a bank or other lender to start or grow a small non-farm business, with no property needed as security. It is open to men and women; about 60% of Mudra loan accounts in 2024-25 belonged to women.

Status

Running in 2026: PIB reported loans disbursed to 27 March 2026 and the scheme completed 11 years on 8 April 2026. Checked 1 Oct 2026.

Who can apply

• Non-corporate, non-farm micro and small enterprises in manufacturing, trading, services and activities allied to agriculture
• Shishu loans are open to new entrepreneurs with no credit history or collateral
• Tarun Plus (₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh) is only for borrowers who took and fully repaid a Tarun loan

How to apply

1. Go to any bank branch, small finance bank, NBFC or microfinance lender, or apply online on the JanSamarth portal
2. Ask for a loan under PMMY and choose the category that fits the amount
3. Never pay an agent or a 'processing fee' to anyone outside the lender: MUDRA Ltd does not give loans directly

In person: Any bank branch or registered NBFC / microfinance lender

Run by

Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance (through banks, NBFCs and MFIs; MUDRA Ltd refinances)

MUDRA Ltd itself never lends to individuals. PIB Fact Check has flagged fake 'Mudra loan approval letters' asking for fees almost every month from 2024 to September 2026. The loan must be repaid with the bank's normal interest; there is no subsidy.

Checked 1 October 2026 against 11 Years of Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (8 Apr 2026), PMMY loan limit raised to ₹20 lakh (Tarun Plus), PIB Fact Check: fake website onlinemudraindia.co.in (19 Mar 2026), Mudra FAQ · Official page to apply

Also called PMEGP loan, KVIC loan subsidy, margin money subsidy

Subsidy of 25% to 35% of the project cost on a bank loan for a new unit (women: 35% in villages, 25% in towns); project cost up to ₹50 lakh (manufacturing) or ₹20 lakh (service)

Helps a person start a new small factory or service unit outside farming. The bank gives the loan and the government pays part of the project cost as a one-time subsidy. Women count as a special category, so they get the higher subsidy and put in only 5% of their own money.

Status

Portal open and scheme active in 2026 (PIB, 12 Mar 2026). Its last Cabinet approval ran to 2025-26; a formal 2026-27 extension notice was not found. Checked 1 Oct 2026.

Who can apply

• Any individual above 18 years of age
• No income ceiling
• At least VIII standard pass for projects above ₹10 lakh in manufacturing or above ₹5 lakh in business/service
• Only one person per family (self, spouse, unmarried children)
• Existing units, and units that already took a government subsidy under another scheme, are not eligible
• Projects without capital expenditure are not eligible

Documents

• Aadhaar

How to apply

1. Apply online on the PMEGP portal (New Application)
2. Pick KVIC, KVIB or DIC as the agency and choose a bank
3. Complete the short EDP training (not needed for projects up to ₹2 lakh)
4. The bank sanctions the loan and the subsidy is routed through the bank

In person: District Industries Centre (DIC) or KVIC / KVIB office

Run by

Ministry of MSME (KVIC, State KVIBs and District Industries Centres)

It is a subsidy on a bank loan, not a grant: you must get a bank loan and put in 5% (special category) or 10% (general) yourself.

Checked 1 October 2026 against PMEGP FAQ (eligibility), Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (subsidy rates, women as special category), Initiatives to strengthen rural and semi-urban MSMEs (12 Mar 2026), Continuation of PMEGP 2021-22 to 2025-26 · Official page to apply

Also called Lakhpati Didi Yojana, Aajeevika, NRLM SHG loan, self help group

Through your self-help group: a Revolving Fund of about ₹20,000 to ₹30,000 per group, up to ₹2.5 lakh per group from the Community Investment Fund, bank loans with interest subvention (loans up to ₹3 lakh at 7%), a ₹5,000 Jan-Dhan overdraft, and free livelihood and enterprise training

Rural women join a self-help group (SHG) of neighbours, save together and get group funds, cheap bank loans and training to build a business or farm income. A 'Lakhpati Didi' is an SHG member whose household earns over ₹1 lakh a year.

Status

Active in 2026: over 3 crore Lakhpati Didis reached; target doubled to 6 crore by March 2029 (PIB, 13 Feb 2026). Checked 1 Oct 2026.

Who can apply

• Rural women who join a DAY-NRLM self-help group
• To be picked as a potential Lakhpati Didi: SHG member for at least two years, has used the Community Investment Fund, and runs at least two livelihood activities

How to apply

1. Ask the village SHG, Village Organisation or Community Resource Person to join a group
2. Save regularly in the group and keep records
3. Ask the block mission office about training and loans for your activity

In person: Block office of the State Rural Livelihoods Mission, or the Gram Panchayat

Run by

Ministry of Rural Development

There is no direct cash payment to become a Lakhpati Didi. Money comes as group funds and loans that must be repaid. Interest subvention rates vary by district.

Checked 1 October 2026 against How do I become a Lakhpati Didi, Financial Assistance, Doubling of target of Lakhpati Didis to 6 crore (13 Feb 2026), National Campaign on Entrepreneurship: EDP training for 50 lakh SHG members (14 Jan 2026) · Official page to apply