Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday proposed the establishment of ‘She MARTS’ and the construction of a girls’ hostel in every district, while presenting the Union Budget 2026–27 in the Lok Sabha. The initiatives aim to strengthen women entrepreneurship and improve access to higher education for girls across the country.
Sitharaman said community-owned retail outlets, branded as She MARTS, will be set up to provide market access to women self-help groups and entrepreneurs. She also announced plans to build a girls’ hostel in every district to support women pursuing higher studies, especially in STEM disciplines that often require long academic hours.
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The proposals form part of the government’s broader push to enhance education infrastructure, promote gender inclusion and empower women economically.
