Budget provides for girls’ hostel in each district; SHE Marts for women entrepreneurs

The Union Budget on Sunday (February 1, 2026) announced key proposals for helping women in higher education and entrepreneurship, which include the construction of girls’ hostels in each district and the setting up of community owned ‘SHE Marts’.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her budget speech, said the government proposed several measures to establish new institutes, university townships, girls’ hostels, and telescope infrastructure as part of increased investment in the higher education sector.

Ms. Sitharaman said girls faced difficulties due to prolonged hours of study and laboratory work in science and technology disciplines.

“Through our scheme, one girls’ hostel will be established in every district to promote astrophysics and astronomy via immersive experiences,” she said.

The proposed hostels would help ensure safe and accessible accommodation for women pursuing higher studies.

The Finance Minister also announced the setting up of ‘SHE Marts’ — self-help entrepreneur marts that will function as community owned retail outlets.

This initiative aims to provide women entrepreneurs with better market access, branding opportunities, and sustainable income avenues, while strengthening grassroots institutions such as self-help groups.

“Building on the success of the Lakpati Didi programme, the government plans to help women move from credit-linked livelihoods to becoming enterprise owners. Self-help entrepreneur marts will be established as community owned retail outlets within cluster-level federations, supported through enhanced and innovative financing, enabling women to take the next step in entrepreneurship,” the Finance Minister said.