Nai Roshni Scheme - Indian Polity

In 2012- 2013, the Government of India launched a welfare scheme under the Ministry of Minority Affairs for the development of minority women in order to inculcate confidence and empower them by providing knowledge and techniques. This topic is important for students preparing for the IAS Exam. Nai Roshni Scheme also spelled as, Nayi Roshni Scheme, is a part of the polity/social justice sections of the General Studies Paper 2 in the UPSC Syllabus.

Nai Roshni Scheme Objectives

• Nai Roshni Scheme is a Government welfare scheme launched to empower minority women with knowledge, basic techniques and tools which would help them interact with government banks and other institutions on all levels.
• The scheme has been implemented through NGOs, civil societies and government institutions.
• Minority women can apply for the scheme online as well.
• The scheme helps in fighting different social stigmas such as poverty, as women and children are the worst sufferers of poverty. 
• It empowers the minority women to stand up for their rights and help them grow economically thus strengthening civil society.

Training Modules under Nai Roshni

Advocacy for Social and Behavioral Change	Digital-Literacy
Educational Empowerment	Financial Systems
Health and Hygiene	Leadership of Women
Legal Rights to Women	Life Skills
Swachh Bharat

Nai Roshni Scheme Target Group

• Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Zoroastrian (Parsi) and Jain women notified under Section 2 (c) of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992 come under the target group.
• However, to further increase the strength of the mosaic of plurality in society and bring about solidarity and unity through their own efforts to improve their lot, the scheme permits a mix of women from non-minority communities not exceeding 25% of a project proposal.
• Efforts should be made by the organization so that a representative mix of women comes up from SCs/STs/OBCs. Also, women with disabilities and other communities are included within this 25% group.

Evaluation of the Efficacy of Nai Roshni Scheme

• A study was conducted by NITI Aayog to evaluate the impact of the scheme on the minority and to identify the setbacks faced in the implementation of the scheme.
• The study covered 15 districts, 30 blocks, 87 villages, 27 NGOs spread over 8 States namely Assam, West Bengal, Punjab, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
• According to NITI Aayog, majority of the findings of the study indicate that the programme has been appreciated by a majority of the segments of the population and it has assisted in creating confidence among minority women and in developing leadership spirit in them.
• Trained women are utilizing their knowledge to help their families and neighbours in raising their essential demands and claims from various government authorities.

Recommendations of the Study

• Taking up more awareness programmes about the scheme.
• Inclusion of women from the general category. The scheme provides for the selection of 25 non-minority women.
• Longer periods of training.
• Including training modules on laws protecting the interests of women.
• Including persons with disabilities in the training module.