Programme for self-employment of the poor has been an important component of the anti-poverty programmes implemented through government initiatives in the rural areas in India. The Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) is the major on-going programme for the self-employment of rural poor at present. The programme was started with effect from 01.04.1999 after review and restructuring of erstwhile Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) and allied programmes namely Training of Rural Youth for Self Employment (TRYSEM), Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas. Supply of Toolkits in Rural Areas (SITRA) and Ganga KalyanYojana (GKY), besides Millian Wills Scheme (MWS). The earlier programme are no more in operation with the launching of the SGSY. Keywords: self-employment, The Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY), Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP), Training of Rural Youth for Self Employment (TRYSEM), Rural Areas (SITRA) and Ganga KalyanYojana (GKY), Millian Wills Scheme (MWS) etc.