Odisha’s flagship Subhadra DBT scheme has boosted financial security and economic participation among women, according to a recent State Bank of India Research study.
The scheme, launched in September 2024, has transformed household finances by increasing savings and spending among beneficiaries.
The study revealed that women enrolled in the Subhadra scheme recorded a 45 per cent rise in savings and a 28 per cent increase in spending. Average six-month bank balances of beneficiaries rose from Rs 15,146 before receiving the first instalment to Rs 22,033 after enrolment. Withdrawals also climbed from Rs 6,937 to Rs 8,857, reflecting stronger household resilience and consumption.
Researchers used a difference-in-differences methodology with a sample of over 1.6 lakh individuals, including 75,750 beneficiaries and 85,588 non-beneficiaries. Findings showed that the Subhadra scheme not only strengthened women’s financial position but also created positive spillover effects across households and local economies.
Named after Goddess Subhadra, the sister of Lord Jagannath, the scheme provides direct cash transfers to women, empowering them to manage household finances and participate more actively in the economy. SBI Research noted that the scheme has particularly benefited financially excluded households, helping them build savings and improve consumption patterns.
