President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday outlined the government’s flagship welfare, financial inclusion and social empowerment programmes, positioning them as central to India’s development strategy as the country prepares to mark Republic Day 2026.

In her address to the nation, Murmu said targeted schemes aimed at women, farmers, tribal communities, the poor and youth were reshaping economic participation and strengthening the social foundation of the republic.

The President highlighted the impact of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign in improving access to education for girls, calling it a key driver of women’s empowerment. She said national efforts in health, education, safety and economic inclusion were expanding women’s participation across sectors.

Murmu also pointed to the scale of financial inclusion under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, under which more than 57 crore bank accounts have been opened so far, with women accounting for nearly 56% of the total. She said access to formal banking had strengthened women’s economic independence and participation in development.

The President noted that more than 10 crore women associated with self-help groups were redefining grassroots development, contributing to livelihoods, entrepreneurship and local governance.

Referring to women’s representation in governance, Murmu said nearly 46% of elected representatives in Panchayati Raj institutions are women. She said the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam would take women’s political empowerment to a new level and reinforce the concept of women-led development.

She added that higher participation of women in electoral processes was strengthening democratic institutions and aligning with the constitutional vision of inclusive governance.

Tribal Welfare, Health And Education Initiatives

The President underscored a renewed focus on tribal welfare through programmes aimed at leadership development, healthcare and education. She referred to initiatives such as the Adi Karmayogi campaign, which seeks to nurture leadership potential within tribal communities.

Murmu said healthcare interventions under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission had resulted in more than six crore screenings so far, addressing a major public health concern among tribal populations.

In education, she cited the role of Eklavya Model Residential Schools, where nearly 1.4 lakh students are currently enrolled, with many performing well in competitive examinations.

She also referred to targeted development programmes such as the Dharti Aaba Janajatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan and the PM-JANMAN Yojana, aimed at empowering tribal and particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) communities.

Farmers, Food Security And Poverty Alleviation

Murmu described farmers as the backbone of India’s economy and cited the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi as a key initiative supporting agricultural households. She said priority was being given to fair pricing, affordable credit, insurance coverage, irrigation and access to modern farming practices.

On food security, the President highlighted the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, calling it the world’s largest scheme of its kind. The programme currently supports nearly 81 crore beneficiaries, ensuring food access for vulnerable populations.

She also referred to the construction of more than four crore pucca houses equipped with basic amenities, describing housing as a foundation for dignity and upward mobility among poor families.

Youth, Start-Ups And Skill Development

Highlighting India’s demographic strength, Murmu said government initiatives were increasingly focused on youth aspirations. She cited MY Bharat, also known as Mera Yuva Bharat, as a technology-driven platform connecting young citizens with opportunities in leadership, skill development and nation-building.

The President said the growth of India’s start-up ecosystem, largely driven by young entrepreneurs, was injecting innovation and global competitiveness into the economy.

Murmu said structural reforms such as the Goods and Services Tax had created a unified national market, while recent steps to streamline the GST framework would further strengthen economic integration. She also referred to the four labour codes, describing them as measures aimed at improving worker welfare while supporting enterprise growth.

She added that governance reforms focused on simplification, digital delivery and trust-based administration were narrowing the gap between citizens and the state.

Concluding her remarks, the President said these programmes collectively reflected an inclusive approach to development, combining welfare, empowerment and economic reform. She said public participation and effective implementation would be critical as India moves towards its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.