Business Remedies | Rajshree Upadhyaya | July 10,2025 | Aniket Doegar, a graduate of Shri Ram College of Commerce and a former Teach for India fellow, founded Haqdarshak in 2016 after witnessing the persistent challenges rural citizens faced in accessing government welfare schemes. While working with underserved communities across Maharashtra, Delhi, and Rajasthan, he saw firsthand how millions remained unaware of the very benefits designed to support them. Pensioners waited endlessly for assistance, scholarships went unclaimed, and small businesses failed to access subsidies-not due to ineligibility, but due to lack of information or being overwhelmed by bureaucratic hurdles.
Motivated by these experiences, Aniket launched Haqdarshak from Pune, with the goal of bridging the gap between people and their entitlements. The idea was simple yet transformative-digitize welfare information and deliver it through a grassroots network. Haqdarshak developed a mobile and web-based platform capable of assessing eligibility for over 7,500 welfare schemes. Users answered basic questions about income, occupation, and family size, and the system identified relevant government and private benefits.
However, the real innovation lay in its implementation. Trained local agents-most of them women from low-income communities-helped people apply for these schemes, assisted with documentation, and tracked the process until benefits were received.
By 2022, Haqdarshak had supported over 2.7 million families and 50,000 micro-enterprises, unlocking welfare benefits worth Rs. 4,200 crore across 24 states. Its agent network grew to nearly 30,000, providing income opportunities to women earning between Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 25,000 per month-many of them earning for the first time in their lives. These women were not just service providers but trusted guides, ensuring that the last mile of welfare delivery was completed with empathy and resolve.
Welfare Delivery Crosses Rs. 15,000 Crore
In early 2023, Aniket’s appearance on Shark Tank India brought national attention to Haqdarshak. Seeking Rs. 1 crore for 0.5% equity, he presented a clear vision backed by strong impact metrics. The sharks were impressed yet cautious, offering Rs. 1 crore for 2% equity, valuing the company at Rs. 50 crore. Aniket accepted the deal with Piyush Bansal, Namita Thapar, and Aman Gupta. Though the deal didn’t close post-show, the exposure was invaluable. Interest surged, partnerships increased, and the Haqdarshak model gained wide recognition.
Post-show, the company launched the Yojana Card-a QR-enabled digital ID storing user profiles and eligible schemes. This card could be scanned at kiosks or by agents to provide instant access to welfare information. By mid-2024, Haqdarshak had assisted over 3 million families and 40,000 small businesses, with its female agent network exceeding 6,000. Welfare delivery surpassed Rs. 15,000 crore, further validating its tech-driven, community-based outreach model.
Sustained Growth Through Tech and Human Connection
Financially, Haqdarshak adopted a B2B model, charging corporate partners approximately Rs. 500 per employee to facilitate access to welfare schemes. In FY 2021-22, it earned Rs. 15.5 crore and projected Rs. 30 crore for the next year, maintaining a 7% EBITDA margin. The company secured funding from investors such as Acumen Fund, Deepak Group, and Village Capital’s Financial Health Innovation Fund, enabling further expansion and tech upgrades.
In 2022, Aniket was named Social Entrepreneur of the Year by the Schwab Foundation and represented Haqdarshak at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Today, the platform operates in 20 states through 57 Yojana Kendras and has served over 6 million people. With a target to reach 100 million Indians by 2030, Haqdarshak continues to grow through its unique blend of digital innovation and human connection.
Despite investor suggestions, Aniket’s refusal to pivot to fintech or edtech highlights his unwavering focus. His mission remains clear-to restore dignity and accessibility in welfare services. Haqdarshak is not just a company; it is a quiet revolution, ensuring that no citizen is left behind simply because they didn’t know where to begin.
Written & Edited By:
Rajshree Upadhyaya
