Impact of government schemes on the livelihood of tribal women in Madhya Pradesh

This study explores the impact of key government schemes—namely the Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana (AMSY), Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), and the Madhya Pradesh State Rural Livelihoods Mission (MPSRLM)—on the livelihoods of tribal women in Madhya Pradesh. Drawing upon official government data, field-level evaluations, and secondary literature, the research assesses how these schemes have contributed to income generation, financial inclusion, social participation, and institutional empowerment among tribal women, particularly in remote and underserved districts. The findings indicate that while MGNREGA has improved short-term wage security and reduced seasonal migration, AMSY has had limited outreach due to procedural complexity and low awareness. MPSRLM, through its Self-Help Group model, has shown greater promise in fostering long-term community-based empowerment. However, systemic issues such as poor infrastructure, bureaucratic delays, digital illiteracy, and entrenched gender norms continue to restrict full realization of the schemes’ objectives. The study recommends an integrated policy approach focused on convergence, capacity building, localized implementation, and gender-sensitive governance to ensure inclusive and sustainable development. Overall, the research underscores that while progress has been made, the path to lasting empowerment for tribal women requires structural reforms and transformative engagement beyond welfare provision.