A self-help group is a group of people belonging to the same community or social and economic background. It generally consists of 10-20 members mostly ladies that deposit some small amount of money on a regular basis and lend to one of the members for meeting their urgent needs.
SHGs are formed under the Swarna Jayanti Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY). This program was launched on 1st April 1999, at 75: 25 cost-sharing between Central and State Governments.