The economic development of a country largely depends on the development of rural areas. Education is considered as an important instrument for everyone not only for social development but also for economical upliftment. On the other hand, empowerment is a multi-dimensional process, which should enable women or group of women to realize their full identity and power in all spheres of life. Education contributes directly to the growth of national income by improving the productive capacities of the labor force (Fahimi & Moghadam 2003). Finance is a key for empowering rural women. Microfinance through rural SHGs can improve income level and living standards tribal women in every developing country like India. Through this study an attempt has been made to analyze the impact of micro finance and income generating activities on socio-economic empowerment of tribal women through Self-Help-Groups (SHGs) in Lakhimpur district of Assam. Primary and secondary data have been used for the present study. The primary data were collected from field survey, conducted at four development blocks in Lakhimpur district. Through random sampling technique 40 SHGs (10 SHGs from each block) and 200 (5 members from each SHG) respondents were selected from the field survey, who were members of self help groups in the aforesaid blocks.

KEYWORDS:  Education, Income Generating Activities, Tribal and Women Empowerment.