Ujjwala Sanitary Napkin Scheme 2026: The Central government has introduced the Ujjwala Sanitary Napkin Project for women residing in Odisha. Through this initiative, women across every district in the state will gain access to essential hygiene supplies while also securing employment opportunities. This federal program serves as a counterpart to the state-led Khushi Scheme, which provides complimentary sanitary pads to female students in government and state-aided schools.
Overview of the 2026 Ujjwala Sanitary Napkin Project
During the initial phase of the Ujjwala Sanitary Napkin Project, oil marketing firms will establish roughly 100 decentralized production facilities. These units will be set up at Common Service Centers (CSCs) spanning 93 blocks across 30 Odisha districts. CSCs are specialized hubs designed to offer government digital services to remote and rural populations.
Data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) indicates that sanitary pad usage in Odisha stands at a modest 33.5%. Consequently, the central government aims to transform the adoption of sanitary products into a widespread public movement.
Central Government Rollout of the Ujjwala Napkin Initiative
The central government launched this scheme to boost health standards and create career pathways for women. Each manufacturing facility requires an investment of approximately Rs. 2.94 crore. Every package contains 8 pads and is priced at Rs. 42. By employing 5 to 6 Ujjwala beneficiaries per unit, the project is expected to generate jobs for nearly 600 women across the state.
Fostering Economic Independence for Women
Participants will undergo comprehensive training in both the production and retail aspects of the sanitary pads. This program offers women the potential to earn between Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 15,000 monthly. This initiative serves as a sustainable path to empowerment, moving beyond the limitations of previous cash-based assistance programs.
Improving Menstrual Health via the Ujjwala Program
The Ujjwala Sanitary Napkin Initiative is designed to enhance hygiene awareness among women. It provides a unique income-generating opportunity for Ujjwala beneficiaries in rural and disadvantaged regions, allowing them to utilize time previously spent gathering firewood for productive economic activity.
Each center utilizes a team of 10 women—5 dedicated to manufacturing and 5 to marketing. Having already supported 35 lakh women through the Ujjwala Yojana, this expansion aims to increase that figure to 45 lakh. Individual facilities are capable of producing between 1,200 and 2,000 pads per day.