Self Help Groups (SHGs) play a significant role in all-round development of the society in general and that of women in particular both socially and economically. SHGs have empowered the women to join their hands together in order to face the challenges coming on their way and to overcome their socio-economic issues. They help women to participate in family decision-making, to make them financially strong and to make them capable for leadership positions. The objective of the study is to analyze the impact of SHGs on socio-economic conditions of rural women of the Puri District before and after joining the group. It has been found that SHGs have not only empowered the rural women financially and improved the standard of living, but also helped them in changing their societal conditions. The study concludes that SHGs have empowered the women both socially and economically in the study area.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Keywords: Women Empowerment, Self Help Groups, Employment, Puri District.