Haqdarshak simplifies access to government welfare schemes by training local agents and using technology to empower communities.
Haqdarshak is a social entrepreneurship company founded in 2016 by Aniket Doegar. The organisation focuses on providing access to government welfare schemes and social protection services, using a technology-driven approach to make the process easy and efficient. They aim to bridge the information gap for underserved communities, including women, farmers, micro-businesses, and informal sector workers.
The company’s flagship model involves training women as Haqdarshaks (agents) who use mobile technology to support beneficiaries in applying for welfare schemes. This system allows citizens to access government services at the last mile, especially in rural and remote areas. Haqdarshaks assist with eligibility checks, document collection, and form submissions. Haqdarshak also offers a unique Yojana Card, a physical card that helps citizens access welfare benefits by storing eligibility details and simplifying the application process.
To date, Haqdarshak has reached over 6.68 million citizens and 84,485 businesses across India. They have unlocked welfare benefits worth approximately USD 2.3 billion. Their platform covers over 7,000 government schemes in 11 Indian languages, providing beneficiaries with real-time access to information about schemes, eligibility, and required documentation.
Haqdarshak’s mission is to enhance socio-economic conditions by ensuring the delivery of government welfare and financial services. They also work on building livelihoods by training agents, primarily women, to empower them economically. With their technology-driven solutions and local agent network, they are driving positive change across 30+ states and UTs in India.
Looking ahead, Haqdarshak has set an ambitious target to reach 100 million beneficiaries by 2030. Their work is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on reducing inequality and promoting sustainable development.
Haqdarshak was founded in 2016 by Aniket Doegar with the aim of making access to government welfare schemes easier for underserved communities in India. The organisation’s primary focus was to bridge the information gap that existed between government welfare services and citizens, especially in rural and remote areas.
Haqdarshak's model revolved around using technology to connect people with welfare services and empower local agents, known as Haqdarshaks, to provide assistance in their communities. The organisation started by training women in rural areas to become agents who would use mobile technology to help citizens apply for government schemes. This initiative not only supported the application process but also helped increase the number of women involved in the workforce, creating sustainable livelihoods for them.
By 2017, Haqdarshak expanded its reach by providing a platform that covered over 1,000 government schemes across India. Their services, offered through both offline and online channels, enabled citizens to check their eligibility, submit applications, and receive benefits. The company's ability to deliver services at the last mile, especially to people without access to smartphones or internet, set it apart from other platforms. Haqdarshak’s model of using trained local agents allowed them to reach communities where government services were not easily accessible.
In 2018, Haqdarshak introduced the Yojana Card, a physical card that helps citizens discover which government welfare schemes they are eligible for, making it easier for them to apply. This card was especially important for citizens with limited access to mobile phones. As of 2020, the company had reached over 3 million citizens and facilitated more than 5 million applications, with their services expanding across 26 states and 7 Union Territories in India.
By 2021, Haqdarshak’s efforts had unlocked welfare benefits worth over INR 10,000 crore (approximately USD 1.3 billion), directly impacting communities involved in agriculture, sanitation, construction, and micro-businesses. The company continued to grow and scale its services, training over 40,000 Haqdarshaks to serve communities in more than 30 states and Union Territories.
In 2023, Haqdarshak launched its ambitious goal of reaching 10 crore (100 million) beneficiaries by 2030. This target marked a significant step towards achieving its mission of improving the socio-economic conditions of India's most vulnerable populations by ensuring last-mile access to government welfare services. To date, Haqdarshak has reached over 6.68 million citizens and impacted more than 84,000 businesses, continuing to provide comprehensive assistance in accessing government services, including food security, health, education, and financial inclusion.
As of 2024, Haqdarshak is actively expanding its footprint across India, continuing to support beneficiaries in areas such as livelihood generation, health insurance, and pension schemes. The company’s focus remains on using technology to simplify the welfare application process and reach more citizens, especially those in underserved regions. Through its agent-based model and partnerships with NGOs, corporates, and government departments, Haqdarshak is positioning itself as a leader in social protection services, aiming to scale its impact in the coming years.
Haqdarshak’s mission is to ensure that every citizen and small business in India has access to government welfare and financial services. By bridging the information gap, Haqdarshak empowers individuals, especially those in rural and underserved areas, to access benefits they are eligible for. Through the use of technology and trained local agents, Haqdarshak offers end-to-end support for welfare scheme applications, providing a simple and effective solution for people who need it the most. Their mission is focused on improving socio-economic conditions and creating livelihoods, particularly for women, while ensuring inclusive service delivery at the last mile.
Haqdarshak’s vision is to improve the standard of living for communities by ensuring the delivery of government welfare and financial services to every citizen, especially in underserved areas. The goal is to bridge the information gap that prevents citizens from accessing essential government benefits. By training local agents and leveraging technology, Haqdarshak aims to create a sustainable impact, empowering communities and improving livelihoods. They envision a future where all individuals, regardless of their location or resources, have equal access to government welfare, healthcare, education, and financial services, ultimately contributing to the reduction of inequality in India
Haqdarshak offers a range of products and services designed to improve access to government welfare schemes, especially for underserved communities in India. Their approach combines technology, local agents, and in-depth knowledge of welfare schemes to deliver comprehensive support to citizens. Below are the key products and services offered by Haqdarshak:
Welfare Scheme Linkage:
Haqdarshak’s core service is helping citizens access welfare schemes provided by the government. The organisation’s technology platform provides detailed information on over 7,000 state and central schemes, allowing users to check their eligibility and apply for benefits. This service is essential for those who are unaware of the schemes available to them or find it difficult to navigate the complex application process. Haqdarshak’s agents, known as Haqdarshaks, are trained to assist in the application process by helping citizens gather the necessary documents, complete forms, and track the progress of their applications.
Agent-based Service Delivery:
Haqdarshak operates a unique agent-based service delivery model where trained local agents assist citizens in accessing welfare benefits. These agents, mainly women from local communities, are trained on Haqdarshak’s mobile platform to provide step-by-step support to beneficiaries. The Haqdarshaks help people identify which schemes they are eligible for and guide them through the application process. This model is crucial for reaching people in rural and remote areas where government services are often difficult to access. The agents also ensure that the application forms are correctly filled out and submitted to the relevant departments, providing end-to-end support.
Yojana Card:
The Yojana Card is a first-of-its-kind physical card designed to make welfare scheme access easier. This card stores eligibility information for various welfare schemes and allows cardholders to view a list of schemes they are eligible for by scanning the card’s QR code using their smartphones. The card also provides users with a guide to the documents they need for each scheme, helping streamline the application process. It is especially useful for individuals who do not have smartphones or access to the internet, as it allows them to access essential government services through simple technology.
Mobile Technology for Application:
Haqdarshak uses mobile technology to make the application process seamless and accessible. The platform is designed to be user-friendly, ensuring that citizens with limited digital literacy can easily use it. The platform includes features such as an eligibility engine, which helps users quickly determine their eligibility for various welfare schemes based on a few simple inputs. Haqdarshak’s mobile app provides real-time information, tracking, and communication, ensuring that citizens stay informed throughout the application process.
Support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs):
Haqdarshak offers specific support for MSMEs, which are often overlooked when it comes to welfare benefits. Through its MSME platform, Haqdarshak helps small business owners access government schemes designed to support micro-enterprises. This includes helping MSME owners with documentation, scheme applications, and providing information about financial services, loans, and grants that can help grow their businesses. Haqdarshak’s assistance also extends to addressing specific challenges faced by MSMEs, such as access to credit and the need for business documentation.
Training and Livelihoods:
One of Haqdarshak’s key offerings is training local agents, called Haqdarshaks, who provide direct support to citizens. These agents are trained to use the Haqdarshak platform to assist with welfare applications. In addition to providing community services, Haqdarshaks also earn an income from the services they provide. This empowers women, especially in rural areas, by offering them an opportunity to work and earn a livelihood while also contributing to their communities. The programme is designed to support women’s economic empowerment, which is a key focus for Haqdarshak.
End-to-End Welfare Support:
Haqdarshak provides comprehensive, end-to-end support for citizens seeking welfare benefits. This includes the initial identification of eligibility, gathering required documents, submitting applications, and tracking progress. Haqdarshak’s agents stay in touch with beneficiaries throughout the process, ensuring they receive the benefits they are entitled to. If there are any issues with an application or delays in receiving benefits, Haqdarshaks act as intermediaries to resolve these issues, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience for citizens.
