Rebuilding the data architecture of India's National Rural Livelihoods Mission

Redesigning NRLM’s Core Data System - LokOS Platform

In partnership with the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India and Digital India Corporation, CDFI redesigned and scaled the core data architecture of India's National Rural Livelihoods Mission through a mini core-banking platform built for the Self Help Group ecosystem called LokOS. The platform captures all Self Help Group transactions at source and is now live across the country with eKYC via DigiLocker, supporting 82 million+ Self Help Group members across India.
82
+
million, Self Help Group members supported through LokOS
28
+
states and 8 UTs covered, platform now live across India
Region
Across India
Start Date
October 2019
Status
Completed
Lead Partner
National Rural Livelihood Mission, Ministry of Rural Development
Benefeciaries
India's National Rural Livelihoods Mission is one of the largest poverty alleviation programs in the world. But its data architecture was not built for the scale it had grown to. LokOS changed that, giving the mission a digital backbone capable of capturing and managing the financial lives of 82 million+ Self Help Group members, with the transparency and reliability that a program of this scale demands.

82 million Self Help Group members deserve a system built for them.

Initial problem

Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India

CDFI redesigned and built LokOS, a mini core-banking platform for the Self Help Group ecosystem under India's National Rural Livelihoods Mission. The platform captures all Self Help Group transactions at source, integrates eKYC via DigiLocker for seamless member onboarding, and provides program managers and financial institutions with real-time visibility into the financial health and activity of 82 million+ members across India.

The solution we implemented

Success of LokOS

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), launched on 31st December 2016 envisions to provide cash incentive amounting to ₹5,000 directly to the Bank/ Post Office Account of Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers (PW&LM) during pregnancy and lactation period
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), launched on 31st December 2016 envisions to provide cash incentive amounting to ₹5,000 directly to the Bank/ Post Office Account of Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers (PW&LM) during pregnancy and lactation period

Financial Lives Made Visible

Real-time visibility into 82 million+ Self Help Group members' financial activity supports better program management and financial inclusion.

A Data Architecture Built for Scale

LokOS replaced fragmented data systems with a unified, API-driven platform capturing all Self Help Group transactions at source across India.

Multilingual Communication

Content developed and distributed in two languages for maximum inclusivity.

Built for awareness. Designed for inclusion.

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), launched on 31st December 2016 envisions to provide cash incentive amounting to ₹5,000 directly to the Bank/ Post Office Account of Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers (PW&LM) during pregnancy and lactation period

Government Collaboration

Developed in partnership with MeitY, NIC, and Samwad under the Digidhan Mission.

Nationwide Rollout

System integrated within NIC infrastructure for secure, high-scale message delivery.

Sustainable Platform

Ready infrastructure for future citizen engagement campaigns beyond digital payments.

Features of the Implementation

SMS and app-based citizen engagement system
Integration with NIC SMS Gateway
Toll-free number 14444 for nationwide access
Multilingual content approved by TRAI
Mobile app for interactive communication
Analytics to track message delivery and engagement

Benefits of the Implementation

Promoted safe and inclusive digital payment practices
Enabled government-to-citizen communication at scale
Increased awareness of digital payment modes (UPI, BHIM, IMPS, etc.)
Fostered trust and familiarity with cashless systems
Strengthened citizen engagement under Digidhan Mission

How the solution bought an impact of scale

Pregnant and lactating mothers benefitted
15
MN+
Pregnant and lactating mothers benefitted
15
MN+
Pregnant and lactating mothers benefitted
15
MN+
Awards and Recognitions

Research

Meghalaya government won the Skoch Award. The award was won in theGold category to Improve Social Parameters’ in the state’s South West Garo Hills region.

Research

Meghalaya government won the Skoch Award. The award was won in theGold category to Improve Social Parameters’ in the state’s South West Garo Hills region.

Research

Meghalaya government won the Skoch Award. The award was won in theGold category to Improve Social Parameters’ in the state’s South West Garo Hills region.

Research

Meghalaya government won the Skoch Award. The award was won in theGold category to Improve Social Parameters’ in the state’s South West Garo Hills region.