© 2024 IJRAR May 2024, Volume 11, Issue 2 www.ijrar.org (E-ISSN 2348-1269, P- ISSN 2349-5138) IJRAR24B2825 International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews (IJRAR) 303 IMPACT OF SELF-HELP GROUP: WOMEN EMPOWERMENT, POVERTY ELIVATION Neha Pathak, Junior Research Fellow, Department of Commerce, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalay, Koni, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India, Abhishek Awasthi, Junior Research Fellow, Department of Commerce, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. Vikas Shukla, Research Scholar, Department of Commerce, Lucknow Christian Degree College Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. Abstract: Poverty and empowering women are the two core difficulties facing all developing and undeveloped countries, and the Indian government planned to create and implement methods to address problems brought on by extreme poverty aiming to remove the threat of such conditions. Self Help Groups (SHG), being one of those strategies brought about reduction in poverty and hunger after linking rural banks. This endeavour has positively mobilized the rural economy by decreasing poverty hurdles of socio- economically deprived section of the society. Through an extensive literature review, the paper explores various dimensions of SHGs, including their historical evolution, organizational structures, and models of operation. Drawing on insights from academic studies, government reports, and program evaluations, the study focuses at SHGs' contribution to economic, social, and political empowerment among women. Using secondary data, this research seeks to investigate the conditions which assist in empowering women in self-help groups (SHGs) in India. The outcomes of this research might encourage more female participation in SHG programmes and growth initiatives. Moreover, the research analyzes the performance and influence of prominent SHG initiatives such as SEWA, RGMVP, DAY-NRLM, MAVIM, Kudumbashree, and others across different states in India. It explores the challenges faced by SHGs, including over-reliance on government and NGOs, lack of experienced facilitators, and non-registration issues, while also highlighting their significant contributions to inclusive women empowerment and poverty reduction. The paper concludes with recommendations to sustain and scale up SHG initiatives and maximize their potential to promote economic growth and social progress across the country. The findings underline the important role of SHGs as catalysts for women's empowerment and inclusive growth in India. They can assist decision-makers in adopting necessary regulations that incorporate empowerment with women-related development initiatives. KEYWORDS: Self-help group (SHGs), Women empowerment, Poverty elevation.