**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Rural Development launched the national compendium "Strengthening Rural Livelihoods through Convergence" on March 27, 2026, to showcase 67 field stories from 19 states. The document highlights the essential role of cross-sector partnerships and institutional leadership in scaling the "Lakhpati Didi" model to reach 6 crore women. The primary objective is to replicate successful state-level models nationwide through the transition to NRLM 2.0 and enhanced monitoring systems.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Compendium and Field Insights**
* The compendium features 67 curated stories from 19 states, resulting from a nationwide "write-shop" involving 24 State Rural Livelihoods Missions (SRLMs).
* The narratives emphasize on-ground experiences where community institutions and partnerships enable sustainable livelihoods for rural women.
* Documented successes include Jharkhand’s Birsa Harit Gram Yojana and Didi Badi Yojana as models for replication.
**Strategic Frameworks for Convergence**
* **The 6I Framework:** Focuses on income diversification, infrastructure, intensity, ecological integration, inclusion, and institutional integration.
* **The 6P Model:** Emphasizes the need for professionally driven convergence.
* **Three Pillars of Sustainability:** Sustainable livelihoods are built on programmes, institutions, and treating convergence as a core strategy.
**Institutional Scaling and NRLM 2.0**
* DAY-NRLM has mobilized nearly 10 crore women into Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and facilitated ₹12 lakh crore in bank linkages.
* NRLM 2.0 aims to scale the "Lakhpati Didi" model to 6 crore women through intensive grassroots support.
* Emphasis is placed on strengthening Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) as self-sustaining institutions to drive local area development and multi-stakeholder planning.
**Government and Infrastructure Goals**
* The "rural stack" is identified as an emerging platform to strengthen institutional leadership for convergence.
* There is a shift from viewing convergence as an optional concept to a necessity for achieving the "Viksit Bharat" vision.
* Commitment to enhancing monitoring and learning systems to ensure inclusive rural livelihoods.
**Impact Analysis**
**Rural Women and Self-Help Groups (SHGs)**
**Impact**
They are the primary beneficiaries of the "Lakhpati Didi" model and the ₹12 lakh crore bank linkages, gaining access to sustainable livelihood opportunities through community architecture.
**Action Required**
Engage with "institutions of the poor" and participate in intensive grassroots support programs to transition toward higher income levels.
**State Rural Livelihoods Missions (SRLMs)**
**Impact**
SRLMs are responsible for the on-ground implementation and documentation of successful models; they are tasked with scaling prototypes from farm and non-farm interventions.
**Action Required**
Replicate successful state-level models (such as those from Jharkhand), adopt the 6I and 6P frameworks, and continue documenting field experiences for knowledge sharing.
**Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) / Government Bodies**
**Impact**
The Ministry is responsible for aligning various states, ministries, and programmes despite inherent complexities to ensure sustainable outcomes.
**Action Required**
Strengthen institutional leadership through the "rural stack," deepen convergence at all levels, and enhance monitoring and learning systems to scale proven models.
**Cluster Level Federations (CLFs)**
**Impact**
CLFs are positioned as the lead institutions for driving convergence through institutionalized planning and layered financial approaches.
**Action Required**
Develop into self-sustaining institutions capable of driving local area development and managing multi-stakeholder partnerships.
Key Entities Referenced
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM): The primary national scheme focused on poverty reduction by mobilizing rural women into Self-Help Groups and facilitating large-scale bank linkages.
Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD): The central ministry responsible for overseeing DAY-NRLM and driving policy convergence across various government departments and programs.
Lakhpati Didi model: A key strategic initiative under NRLM 2.0 aimed at scaling rural women's incomes to at least ₹1 lakh per annum through intensive grassroots support.
National Compendium: Strengthening Rural Livelihoods through Convergence: The policy document launched to showcase 67 field stories and successful cross-sector partnership models for sustainable rural development.
State Rural Livelihoods Missions (SRLMs): State-level institutional frameworks responsible for implementing DAY-NRLM and executing convergence models at the field level.
Ministry of Rural Development
DAY-NRLM Launches National Compendium on
Strengthening Rural Livelihoods through
Convergence
"Convergence is not just important — it is essential,” says
Secretary, MoRD
Compendium captures 67 field stories showcasing impact
across 19 states
Focus on scaling Lakhpati Didi model and strengthening
community institutions
Posted On: 27 MAR 2026 9:53PM by PIB Delhi
The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), under the Ministry
of Rural Development (MoRD), in collaboration with PRADAN and State Rural Livelihoods Missions
(SRLMs), with support from Axis Bank Foundation, today launched the National Compendium titled
“Strengthening Rural Livelihoods through Convergence: Insights from Practice.”
The compendium is the outcome of a nationwide “write-shop” process involving 24 SRLMs and presents
67 curated stories from 19 states. These narratives highlight on-ground experiences of convergence,
showcasing how strong community institutions and cross-sector partnerships are enabling sustainable
livelihood opportunities for rural women across India.
The compendium was released by Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, MoRD, Government of India, in
the presence of Shri T.K. Anil Kumar, Additional Secretary, MoRD; Ms. Smriti Sharan and Ms. Swati
Sharma, Joint Secretaries, DAY-NRLM; Shri Charanjit Singh (Retd. IFS); Dr. Avinash Neeraj (DAHD);
Shri Avinash Sharma (Axis Bank Foundation); Shri Saroj Kumar Mahapatra, Executive Director,
PRADAN; and representatives from SRLMs and partner organisations.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh emphasised that convergence is central to achieving
sustainable outcomes. He noted that the Government has made sustained efforts to align ministries, states,
and programmes despite inherent complexities. He underscored the need to strengthen institutional
leadership for convergence through emerging platforms such as the rural stack and called for replication of
successful state-level models across the country.
Shri T.K. Anil Kumar highlighted the vast scale of DAY-NRLM, which has mobilised nearly 10 crore
women into Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and facilitated bank linkages of ₹12 lakh crore. He stressed the
importance of strengthening institutions and noted that NRLM 2.0 aims to scale the Lakhpati Didi modelto 6 crore women through intensive grassroots support driven by “institutions of the poor, for the poor and
by the poor,” supported by professionals.
Ms. Smriti Sharan emphasised the need for strategic investments to strengthen Cluster Level Federations
(CLFs) as self-sustaining institutions capable of driving local area development. Ms. Swati Sharma
highlighted that sustainable livelihoods rest on three pillars—programmes, institutions, and convergence
—and called for convergence to be treated as a core strategy rather than merely a concept.
Shri Saroj Kumar Mahapatra, Executive Director, PRADAN, highlighted that convergence can be scaled
using a “6I framework”—income diversification, infrastructure, intensity, ecological integration,
inclusion, and institutional integration—and emphasised the importance of adopting a collective “We”
approach.
The event also featured a structured panel discussion on scaling livelihood prototypes. Dr. Avinash Neeraj
underlined the role of DAY-NRLM’s social capital in effective scheme utilisation, while Shri Raman
Wadhwa stressed the need for professionally driven convergence through a “6P model.” Ms. Monisha
Mukherjee highlighted the potential of CLFs to lead convergence through institutionalised multi-
stakeholder planning and layered financial approaches. The discussion concluded with Shri Charanjit
Singh raising key questions on measuring and ensuring the impact of convergence initiatives.
Shri Bishnu C. Parida, COO, JSLPS, shared insights on successful convergence models implemented in
Jharkhand, including Birsa Harit Gram Yojana and Didi Badi Yojana, and emphasised the need to replicate
similar initiatives across states. Shri Pallab Goswami, SPM (Non-Farm), Assam SRLM, highlighted the
journey of documenting field experiences and assured continued efforts to compile success stories from
farm and non-farm interventions.
Ms. Rajeshwari S. M., Director (RL), emphasised that strong community architecture and cross-sector
collaboration are critical to achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat. Dr. Monika, Deputy Secretary (RL),
reiterated that convergence is no longer optional but a necessity for impactful rural development.
The event concluded with a shared commitment to deepen convergence at all levels, with a focus on
scaling proven models, strengthening partnerships, and enhancing monitoring and learning systems to
ensure sustainable and inclusive rural livelihoods.
*****
RC/ADS
(Release ID: 2246333) Visitor Counter : 93