Odisha Disburses Rs 5,000 Crore Under Subhadra Scheme Phase 4 on Women's Day 2026

In a significant step towards the economic and social empowerment of women, the Honourable Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi launched the fourth phase of the Subhadra Assistance Scheme on the occasion of International Women’s Day. This initiative is part of Odisha’s ongoing efforts to ensure that women across the state have access to direct financial support, helping them achieve greater independence and stability.

Under this latest phase, over 1 crore women beneficiaries received ₹5,000 each directly credited to their bank accounts, amounting to a total disbursement of ₹5,000 crore. This marks one of the largest direct cash transfer programmes in the state, reflecting the government’s commitment to empowering women at both urban and rural levels.

The launch coincides with broader government initiatives aimed at promoting women’s welfare and participation in social and economic development. Schemes such as the Mukhyamantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana, which encourages the timely marriage and welfare of girls, continue to complement the Subhadra Assistance programme. Additionally, the 2026-27 Odisha state budget has allocated nearly ₹19,000 crore for women-focused programmes, accounting for 6.1% of the total budget and 1.7% of the state’s GSDP, further emphasising the state’s commitment to gender-inclusive development.

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Officials highlighted that women are expected to play a key role in achieving Odisha’s Samruddha Odisha vision by 2036 and in realising the national Viksit Bharat goals by 2047. By supporting women financially and socially, the government aims to ensure that women can take on leadership roles, participate in entrepreneurship, and contribute to the state’s broader economic growth.

During the launch, social media saw an outpouring of reactions, with citizens expressing gratitude for the scheme and appreciation for the state government’s focus on women’s welfare. The Women & Child Development Department of Odisha confirmed that the programme also includes awareness campaigns to educate beneficiaries on how to access and utilise the funds effectively.

Chief Minister Majhi reiterated the state’s commitment to advancing women-led development, stressing that such schemes are not just about financial assistance but about creating sustainable opportunities for women to thrive in all aspects of life. He added that the Subhadra Assistance initiative will continue to evolve to meet the needs of women across the state, ensuring inclusivity and equity in its outreach.

The launch of the 4th phase of Subhadra Assistance is being widely seen as a landmark initiative that strengthens Odisha’s position as a state actively promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment, and inclusive growth.

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