Kudumbashree, meaning ‘prosperity of the family’ in Malayalam, is the Government of Kerala’s flagship poverty eradication and women empowerment programme implemented by the State Poverty Eradication Mission (SPEM) . Launched on 17 May 1998 and formally inaugurated by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Malappuram, the mission has grown into one of the largest women’s community networks in the world .
What makes Kudumbashree unique is its integration with local self-government. The mission was designed to work with the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, which devolved functions to panchayats and municipalities, making it an instrument of decentralised, participatory governance rather than a standalone microfinance scheme . In 2011, the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, recognised Kudumbashree as the State Rural Livelihoods Mission (SRLM) under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) .
As of March 2025, Kudumbashree has a network of 3,17,724 Neighbourhood Groups (NHGs) with a total membership of 48,08,837 women across Kerala . The mission has contributed significantly to Kerala’s progress in multidimensional poverty reduction, as noted in national indices .
Overview of Kudumbashree
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kudumbashree State Poverty Eradication Mission |
| Launched By | Government of Kerala |
| Launch Date | 17 May 1998 |
| Headquarters | Thiruvananthapuram |
| Parent Department | Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala |
| Executive Director | H Dineshan IAS |
| Objective | Poverty eradication and women empowerment |
| Total Membership | Over 48 lakh women |
| Number of NHGs | 3,17,724 NHGs |
| Number of ADS | 19,470 Area Development Societies |
| Number of CDS | 1,070 Community Development Societies |
| Three-Tier Structure | NHG (base) → ADS (middle) → CDS (apex) |
| Official Website | www.kudumbashree.org |
| Registration | Charitable Society under Travancore-Cochin Act, 1955 |
| Core Activity | Thrift, credit, micro-enterprises, social interventions |
| Recognition | State Rural Livelihoods Mission under NRLM |
Kudumbashree 2.0: The New Vision
In June 2026, the Kerala government announced Kudumbashree 2.0, a transformative initiative to take the mission from poverty alleviation to becoming a global model for inclusive growth and economic development .
Launching the new phase, Local Self Government Minister K.M. Shaji stated that Kudumbashree must evolve from a system that provides support to one that creates opportunities, marking a shift from survival to prosperity .
Key Focus Areas of Kudumbashree 2.0:
- Strengthening entrepreneurship among women members
- Improving market access for Kudumbashree products
- Adopting technology for business operations
- Building brands capable of competing beyond Kerala
- Transforming every ward into a small economic centre
- Integrating Kudumbashree into local body annual development plans
The vision seeks to reposition Kudumbashree women as active players in the economy, not merely beneficiaries of welfare programmes. As noted, “Kudumbashree must move from small enterprises to bigger possibilities,” ensuring women not only participate in the new economy but also lead it .
District Panchayat President V. Priyadarshini emphasised that closer coordination between local bodies and Kudumbashree would strengthen development activities in areas such as women’s livelihood projects, agriculture and animal husbandry. Local Self Government Department Principal Director Divya S. Iyer noted that the rise in women’s happiness and confidence in Kerala after Kudumbashree’s arrival reflects the social impact of the movement .
Three-Tier Community Network Structure
Kudumbashree operates through a well-defined three-tier community network that ensures grassroots participation and democratic leadership .
First Tier: Neighbourhood Groups (NHGs)
NHGs are the primary units at the base level. Each group typically consists of 10 to 20 women from low-income families residing in the same neighbourhood . As of March 2025, there are 3,17,724 NHGs across Kerala .
Membership is open to all adult women, limited to one member per family . NHGs convene weekly to conduct thrift and credit activities, address household poverty through social audits, and identify local needs such as infrastructure improvements or livelihood training. Each NHG elects five volunteers who manage community health, income generation, infrastructure, and secretarial functions .
Second Tier: Area Development Societies (ADS)
ADS serve as the middle tier, federating 5 to 10 NHGs within a single ward. Currently, 19,470 ADS operate across Kerala . Each ADS maintains a governing body of elected NHG representatives, responsible for consolidating group-level data into area-specific development plans, managing bulk procurement for enterprises, and facilitating access to bank linkages or government subsidies .
Third Tier: Community Development Societies (CDS)
The CDS forms the apex tier, aligning with local self-government bodies like panchayats or municipalities. There are 1,070 CDS in Kerala . The CDS approves block-level projects, allocates funds from state and central schemes, and ensures convergence with services like health and sanitation. The CDS is recognised as the community-based wing of the panchayat, giving it a political-administrative dimension absent in most SHG models .
Auxiliary and Specialised Groups
Kudumbashree has expanded its reach through auxiliary and specialised groups to include demographics traditionally outside the standard NHG framework.
Auxiliary Groups:
These groups target young women aged 18 to 40 who fall outside the traditional neighbourhood groups. Launched statewide on 30 September 2021, the initiative addresses gaps in youth engagement within the primarily older demographic of standard groups . Auxiliary groups consist of 10 to 20 members and emphasise mainstreaming youth through skill-building and economic activities. The 2025 ‘Auxello’ campaign further expanded this effort .
Specialised NHGs:
Specialised groups ensure inclusion of marginalised demographics, including:
- Elderly women
- Transgender persons
- Differently abled individuals
- Senior citizens
- People living with HIV/AIDS
The ‘Manaswini’ unit in Kottayam, initiated on 16 February 2017, was the first transgender-specific neighbourhood group, supporting micro-enterprises and skill training for community members . The Elderly Inclusion Programme mobilises seniors through participatory vulnerability mapping, focusing on welfare, recreation, and rights protection .
Eligibility and Membership Criteria
Kudumbashree membership is open to all adult women, limited to one member per family .
Primary Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be a woman of adult age
- Only one member per family can join
- Priority is given to women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families
- Must be a resident of Kerala
Membership Process:
Women interested in joining Kudumbashree can approach the nearest Neighbourhood Group (NHG) in their locality. The group formation is voluntary at the neighbourhood level . No formal application form is required for initial membership; interested women can participate in weekly NHG meetings and become members by contributing to the group’s thrift and savings activities.
For Auxiliary Groups, women aged 18 to 40 who are not members of standard NHGs can join through similar voluntary processes .
Documents Required
For joining Kudumbashree and accessing its various schemes, members typically need the following documents:
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| BPL Ration Card | Proof of economic status |
| Aadhaar Card | Identity verification |
| Bank Account Details | For loan disbursement and savings |
| Residential Proof | Establishing Kerala residency |
| Passport-size Photograph | Membership registration |
| Caste Certificate | For SC/ST category claims (if applicable) |
For specific schemes like the Jeevan Deepam Oruma insurance, additional documentation may be required .
Financial Inclusion and Microfinance Activities
Kudumbashree’s financial inclusion model operates through a sequence of thrift, internal lending, bank linkage, and government subsidy .
Thrift and Credit:
NHGs accumulate member savings and lend internally at interest rates fixed by the group . After demonstrating credit discipline, groups become eligible for bank loans under priority-sector norms and the Linkage Banking programme .
Live Bank Linkage Loans:
As of 2024, 2.23 lakh NHGs have live bank linkage loans worth ₹8,948 crores and are engaged in income-generating livelihood activities. More than one lakh micro-enterprise groups are functioning under the Kudumbashree umbrella .
Matching Grants and Revolving Funds:
Members access matching grants, revolving funds, and interest subvention through the National Rural Livelihoods Mission framework. Kudumbashree, as the designated State Rural Livelihoods Mission for Kerala, draws central funds for these activities .
Peer Monitoring and Repayment Rates:
Empirical evaluations indicate higher repayment rates (over 95%) in this structure compared to traditional banking, attributed to peer monitoring and social cohesion .
Livelihood Activities and Micro-Enterprises
Kudumbashree supports diverse livelihood activities through its network of micro-enterprise groups .
Key Enterprise Sectors:
- Food Services: Cafe Kudumbashree catering groups and Janakeeya hotels serving affordable meals
- Nutrimix: Take-home ration suppliers for nutrition programmes
- Agriculture: Joint Liability Groups of women farmers for collective farming
- Haritha Karma Sena: Waste management and environmental services
- Construction: Women-led construction groups
- Apparel: Clothing manufacturing and tailoring units
- Digital Services: Digital survey entrepreneurs, audit and accounts groups
- Wellness: Gym and yoga entrepreneurship
Cafe Kudumbashree:
As of September 2020, 2,425 Cafe Kudumbashree units were operating, employing 9,825 women .
Marketing and Branding:
Kudumbashree has onboarded more than 140 products on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) platform, aiming to maximise the use of digital avenues to strengthen marketing capabilities of women entrepreneurs .
Technology Advancement Programme (K-TAP):
Launched on 3 June 2025, K-TAP acquired 180 innovative technologies from agricultural research institutions to modernise farm-based livelihoods and establish a centralised technology bank for member access .
Agriculture and Farm Livelihood Initiatives
Kudumbashree’s agricultural initiatives have received national recognition, including praise in the Economic Survey 2025 .
Land Leasing Model:
Under this innovative model, self-help groups lease land for more than three years, with the local gram panchayat becoming a party to the transaction. A formal contract is registered under the Indian Contract Act of 1872, enabling collectives of the poor and landless to access formal services like credit and insurance .
Impact:
- Over 91,000 women groups farmed more than 18,000 hectares in different districts until December 2024
- More than 85% of members are under the low-income category
- The model encourages farmer collectives to maintain and nurture land quality, with studies indicating increased efficiency
Onam Cultivation 2026:
For Onam 2026, Kudumbashree is cultivating 14,000 acres across the state under the Onakkani (vegetable) and Nirapolima (flower) programmes .
| Programme | Area | Crops |
|---|---|---|
| Onakkani | 12,000 acres | Beans, lady’s finger, tomato, chilli, brinjal, pumpkin, bitter gourd, snake gourd, bottle gourd, ash gourd |
| Nirapolima | 2,000 acres | Marigolds and other flowers |
Idukki and Malappuram districts lead in flower cultivation with 230 acres each. Kudumbashree also operates over 350 Jaivika plant nurseries and provides training to 950 agri-community resource persons .
Jeevan Deepam Oruma Insurance Scheme
Kudumbashree provides comprehensive insurance coverage to its members through the ‘Jeevan Deepam Oruma’ scheme, a joint initiative with the Kerala State Insurance Department and the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) .
Key Details:
- Annual premium: ₹200
- Eligible age: 18 to 74 years
- Current policy validity: Till 31 March 2027
- Total members covered: 16.7 lakh NHG members
Benefits:
| Age Group | Natural Death Benefit | Additional Accident Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| 18-50 years | ₹2,00,000 | ₹1,20,000 |
| 51-60 years | ₹80,000 | ₹1,00,000 |
| 61-70 years | ₹30,000 | ₹60,000 |
| 71-74 years | ₹25,000 | ₹60,000 |
Additional Protection:
The scheme protects NHGs from loan liabilities. If a member with a bank linkage loan dies, the outstanding loan amount is settled from the insurance claim and credited to the NHG’s bank account, while the balance amount goes to the nominee .
Achievements:
Introduced during the 2020-21 financial year, the scheme has disbursed ₹37 crore in insurance benefits so far. Premium collection, enrolment, and renewal are carried out through Beema Mithra resource persons at the CDS level .
Education and Literacy Initiatives
Kudumbashree actively promotes education and literacy among its members, recognising that educational empowerment is essential for economic independence.
Back to School Campaign:
In 2023, more than 40 lakh women joined the ‘Back to School’ campaign, where over a two-week period, women returned to their schools to relearn principles of community, microfinance, livelihoods, participatory governance, equity, voice, and agency .
Sama Equivalency Programme:
The Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority launched the ‘Sama’ project in collaboration with Kudumbashree, the Local Self Government Department, and the General Education Department. The initiative aims to enrol nearly 1 lakh Kudumbashree members who discontinued school education to take 10th and Plus Two equivalency exams .
Key Features:
- Classes arranged in 1,000 local bodies across the state
- Two batches of 50 members each attend classes
- Course fees and exam fees covered by local self-bodies
- Preference given to Kudumbashree members qualified to teach
- Minimum age for 10th equivalency: 17 years
- Minimum age for Higher Secondary equivalency: 22 years
The programme will be implemented in phases to cover all Kudumbashree members in the state.
National Resource Organisation (NRO) Role
Kudumbashree’s recognition as a National Resource Organisation by the Ministry of Rural Development in 2013 positions it as a key technical assistance provider under the National Rural Livelihood Mission .
International and National Reach:
- Signed MoUs with 16 states for PRI-CBO convergence
- Deployed Community Resource Persons to remote districts across India
- Entered collaborations with Ethiopia and South Africa in 2015 to adapt Kudumbashree’s best practices
Enterprise Project:
The NRO identifies individuals from local communities and trains them for 6-9 months to form a cadre of community professionals called Micro-Enterprise Consultants (MEC). MECs provide handholding support and capacity building services to women entrepreneurs .
PRI-CBO Convergence Project:
This project trains Local Resource Groups (LRGs) to work with community institutions and local governments, improving the efficiency and reach of poor-centric programmes and promoting participatory planning .
Disaster Response and Relief Activities
Kudumbashree has demonstrated remarkable operational capacity during disaster situations, serving as a community-based resilience mechanism.
2018 Kerala Floods:
Kudumbashree contributed ₹11.18 crores to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) .
COVID-19 Pandemic Response:
Kudumbashree implemented multiple initiatives during the pandemic:
- Chief Minister’s ‘Sahayahastham’ Loan Scheme
- Regular communication with community members
- Special care for elderly and vulnerable communities
- Counselling services extension
- Enterprise opportunities: production of masks, sanitisers, face shields
- Cloth bags for Civil Supplies Department
- Community kitchens and Janakeeya Hotels serving meals at ₹20
- Take-away counters at state boundaries
- Food supply to Corona Care Centres
2024 Wayanad Landslides:
Kudumbashree contributed ₹20,60,25,388 to the CMDRF and prepared Micro Plans for those affected in association with the District Administration of Wayanad .
Awards and Recognitions
Kudumbashree has received numerous awards for its innovative approaches and impact:
- E-Governance Awards, Government of Kerala: Best Website award for www.kudumbashree.org and M-Governance Award for the Grand Care project
- Economic Survey 2025 Recognition: Praised the Kerala land leasing model implemented by Kudumbashree
- Kudumbashree Awards: 17 categories including Best NHG, Best ADS, Best Enterprise Group, Best Entrepreneur, Best CDS (Convergence Activities, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Social Development, Gender), among others
The Grand Care scheme, which won the M-Governance Award, was implemented to provide better security to the elderly across the state during the spread of COVID-19 .
Important Official Links and Resources
Official Websites:
- Kudumbashree Official Website: www.kudumbashree.org
- Kerala Local Self Government Department: lsgd.kerala.gov.in
- Kudumbashree NRO Website: www.kudumbashreestory.in
Contact Details:
- Headquarters: Kudumbashree Mission, Thiruvananthapuram
- Under: Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala
Important Links for Members:
- NHG Registration: Through local Neighbourhood Groups
- Insurance Enrolment: Through Beema Mithra resource persons at CDS level
- K-TAP Technology Bank: Through district-level Kudumbashree missions
- ONDC Onboarding: Through Kudumbashree marketing vertical
What is Kudumbashree?
Kudumbashree is the Government of Kerala’s flagship poverty eradication and women empowerment programme. The name means ‘prosperity of the family’ in Malayalam. It is one of the largest women’s community networks in the world, with over 48 lakh members across Kerala .
Who can join Kudumbashree?
Kudumbashree membership is open to all adult women, with only one member per family allowed to join. Priority is given to women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. Auxiliary Groups are available for young women aged 18-40 .
What are the benefits of joining Kudumbashree?
Benefits include access to thrift and credit facilities, bank linkage loans, livelihood training, micro-enterprise support, Jeevan Deepam Oruma insurance coverage, skill development programmes, and participation in various government schemes .
How does Kudumbashree’s three-tier structure work?
The three-tier structure consists of Neighbourhood Groups (NHGs) at the base, Area Development Societies (ADS) at the ward level, and Community Development Societies (CDS) at the local body level. This federated system enables grassroots participation and links directly to local government .
What is the Jeevan Deepam Oruma insurance scheme?
It is Kudumbashree’s social security initiative providing insurance coverage to NHG members at an annual premium of ₹200. Benefits include natural death compensation (up to ₹2 lakh) and accident compensation (up to ₹1.20 lakh), with outstanding loan liabilities covered for deceased members .
How can I apply for Kudumbashree membership?
Interested women can approach the nearest Neighbourhood Group in their locality. No formal application form is required; members join by participating in weekly NHG meetings and contributing to thrift and savings activities .
What documents are needed for Kudumbashree membership?
Required documents typically include BPL ration card (if applicable), Aadhaar card, bank account details, and residential proof .
What is Kudumbashree 2.0?
Kudumbashree 2.0 is the new phase announced in June 2026, aiming to transform the mission from poverty alleviation to becoming a global model for inclusive growth and economic development, focusing on entrepreneurship, market access, technology adoption, and brand building .
What agricultural initiatives does Kudumbashree run?
Kudumbashree runs collective farming through Joint Liability Groups, with over 91,000 women groups farming more than 18,000 hectares. The innovative land leasing model has been praised in the Economic Survey 2025. Onam 2026 cultivation covers 14,000 acres .
What is the ‘Sama’ education programme?
Sama is a collaboration between Kudumbashree and the Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority to enrol Kudumbashree members who discontinued schooling to take 10th and Plus Two equivalency exams. Nearly 1 lakh members will benefit, with classes arranged across 1,000 local bodies .