Socio-economic Status and Challenges Faced by the Beneficiaries of National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) in the Bodoland Territorial Region of Assam

Authors

  • Chimi Das PhD Scholar, Department of Economics, Assam University, Silchar, District Cachar, Assam – 788011 Author
  • Dr. Sanjay Sinha Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Assam University, Silchar, District Cachar, Assam – 788011 Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53983/ijmds.v15n05.005

Keywords:

NRLM, Self-Help Groups, Socio-economic Status, Challenges, Rural Livelihood, Bodoland Territorial Region

Abstract

Background: The National Rural Livelihood Mission is among the world’s largest livelihoods programmes, empowering and mobilising rural poor women into self-help groups to promote financial inclusion and sustainable income, and carries particular significance in the ecologically vulnerable Bodoland Territorial Region of Assam. Objective: The study examines the socio-economic status of beneficiaries of NRLM in the region and identifies the principal challenges they face. Methodology: Primary data from 485 beneficiaries across Baksa and Kokrajhar districts were analysed using descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis and mean-score ranking. Findings and conclusion: Beneficiaries are predominantly Scheduled Tribe, married, middle-aged women from below-poverty-line households dependent on agriculture. Both household and individual monthly income rose markedly after joining, the share reporting no individual income falling from 60.6% to 7.6%. A single factor explained 52.24% of the variance in fourteen challenges, with insufficient loans, lack of education, high interest burden and lack of cooperation most pressing.

Author Biographies

  • Chimi Das, PhD Scholar, Department of Economics, Assam University, Silchar, District Cachar, Assam – 788011

    Chimi Das (b. 1998) is a Ph.D. Research Scholar in the Department of Economics, Assam University, Silchar. She completed her B.A. in Economics from B.H. College, Howly, and her M.A. in Economics from Gauhati University. Her research interests include women’s empowerment, self-help groups, rural livelihoods, financial inclusion, and sustainable development, with a particular focus on the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) of Assam. She is the recipient of the Dr. Bashi Ram Bodo Doctoral Fellowship (2024–25) awarded by the Bodoland Territorial Council, Government of Assam. She has published research papers in UGC-CARE-listed and peer-reviewed journals and has contributed chapters to edited books on socio-economic development and sustainability. She has presented papers at several national and international conferences and participated in research methodology workshops organized by reputed institutions.

  • Dr. Sanjay Sinha, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Assam University, Silchar, District Cachar, Assam – 788011

    Sanjay Sinha (b. 1984) obtained his M.A. (Economics) and Ph.D degree from Assam University, Silchar, Assam. He is presently working as Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Assam University, Silchar, Assam. He has edited a book “Health and Development in North East India” (2014) published by Mittal Publication New Delhi also co-edited a book “Women in North East India: Status, Empowerment and Development Perspectives” (2013), published by Akansha Publishing House, New Delhi and contributed number of research papers and regularly contributes papers in edited volumes, national, international journals and present papers at seminars. He is a member of North Eastern Economic Association.

References

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Published

2026-05-15

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 5 (2026): International Journal of Management and Development Studies

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Das, C., & Sinha, S. (2026). Socio-economic Status and Challenges Faced by the Beneficiaries of National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) in the Bodoland Territorial Region of Assam. International Journal of Management and Development Studies, 15(5), 52-61. https://doi.org/10.53983/ijmds.v15n05.005

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