The Integrated Rural Development Program (IRDP) is a government initiative aimed at providing sustainable livelihood opportunities to the rural poor. Launched in 1978-79 and fully implemented by 1980, the scheme seeks to offer employment and financial assistance to marginalized rural communities, ensuring their socio-economic upliftment. The core objective of IRDP is to enable poor households to attain self-reliance by providing assets and skills through a mix of subsidy and bank credit.
IRDP is targeted at the below-poverty-line (BPL) population in rural areas, with special emphasis on economically weaker sections, including:
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The scheme offers a combination of subsidy and bank credit to enable beneficiaries to start their ventures. The subsidy component varies according to the beneficiary category:
To qualify for assistance under IRDP, the applicant must:
The process to apply for the Integrated Rural Development Program is as follows:
The IRDP scheme is supported by loans from nationalized banks and rural financial institutions. The loan features include:
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The IRDP follows an integrated strategy to ensure sustainable rural development by combining:
The Integrated Rural Development Program (IRDP) plays a vital role in poverty alleviation and rural economic growth. By offering a combination of subsidies, credit, and skill development, the scheme empowers rural individuals to become self-sufficient. The program has successfully uplifted millions of people by providing financial and technical assistance for sustainable livelihoods. As rural development remains a key focus of India’s economic strategy, programs like IRDP continue to shape the future of rural entrepreneurship and employment.
The main objective of IRDP is to provide financial assistance and skill training to rural poor individuals, enabling them to establish sustainable self-employment ventures.
People belonging to below poverty line (BPL) families, including small farmers, artisans, women, and unemployed youth, are eligible to apply.
Beneficiaries can start agriculture-related businesses, handicrafts, small industries, animal husbandry, or any other viable self-employment projects.
The scheme offers a combination of government subsidies and bank loans to help individuals set up and sustain their businesses.
Applications can be submitted at local Panchayat offices, rural development centers, and designated banks participating in the scheme.
The subsidy varies from 25% to 50% of the project cost, depending on the beneficiary category.
Yes, women are given special incentives and additional subsidies to encourage entrepreneurship under IRDP.
For small-scale projects, collateral is not required, making it easier for beneficiaries to access financial support.
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