Abstract
SHG movement in India gained momentum after 1992, when NABARD realised its potential and started promoting it.
Further, state governments in four southern states, Andhra Pradesh (undivided), Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala
established separate organisations (Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty in AP) led by a senior bureaucrat and managed
by development professionals. In 1999, Government of India, introduced Swarn Jayanti Gram Swarojgaar Yojana (SGSY)
to promote self-employment in rural areas through formation and skilling of SHGs. The programme evolved as a national
movement in 2011 and became National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) – world’s largest poverty alleviation
programme. Today, State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs) are operational in 29 states and 5 UTs (except Delhi and
Chandigarh, Source: NRLM Website). SRLMs are working strenuously to form, nurture and strengthen SHGs. NRLM, by
design, is more focussed, time bound and outcome based programme. The programme was renamed in November 2015 as
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana (DAY – NRLM) (Source: The Times of India June 29, 2018). This study collected data
information from Kanyakumari district Tamilnadu. The comparative study between before and after join self- help groups
(SHGs). The total sample is 50. This 50 respondence are surveyed before joining the self help group and after joining the
self-help group (SHGs). These samples are selected in various self- help groups (SHGs) Kanyakumari district. The all table
age groups distribution is above 18-30, 14 samples were taken. The age groups above 30-45, 22 samples were taken. 9
samples are taken in the age group of 45-60 and 5 samples are taken in the age group of above 60. Total 50 samples are
taken in before and after join self- help groups (SHGs). The following variables are selected to find out the social status of
the respondent like Age Group of the Sample Respondents, The Caste Wise Classification of the Sample Respondents,
Education Expenditure Wise Classification, Occupation Wise Classification, and Health Expenditure Wise Classification.
Occupation wise sample respondents table concluded better improvement after join the self-help groups (SHGs) more
people involved the daily wage and household workers. But after join the self-help groups (SHGs) better improvement in
standard of living. This stage more people started in cottage industry and vendors. In this study the respondence are evident
that their educational expenditure was less before they joined the self-help groups (SHGs). But it increased significantly
after join the self-help groups (SHGs). Hence it is recommended that more policies towards the self-help groups (SHGs)
should be initiated by the governments in the regions like Kanyakumari.

Key words: self-help groups (SHGs), Age Group of the Sample Respondents, The Caste Wise Classification of the Sample Respondents, Education Expenditure Wise Classification, Occupation Wise Classification, and Health Expenditure Wise Classification.