New Delhi: The Government of India has unveiled a robust array of initiatives to empower women entrepreneurs across the country, especially in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector. These efforts span capacity building, access to finance, marketing support, and targeted awareness campaigns.
The Ministry of MSME is spearheading efforts to increase women’s participation in enterprise development through programs such as:
- Reserved Procurement Quota: A mandatory 3% of annual procurement by CPSEs and government departments must be sourced from women-owned MSMEs.
- Udyam and Udyam Assist Portals: Paperless platforms that facilitate easy registration for women entrepreneurs, enabling them to access schemes and priority lending.
- Enhanced Credit Guarantee: Women-led MSMEs receive 90% guarantee coverage and reduced annual guarantee fees by 10%.
- PMEGP Subsidies: Women account for 39% of beneficiaries and are offered a higher subsidy of up to 35% to launch micro-enterprises.
- Mahila Coir Yojana: Exclusive training for women artisans in the coir sector under the Coir Vikas Yojana.
- Full Trade Fair Subsidy: Women entrepreneurs receive 100% reimbursement for participation in trade fairs under the Procurement and Marketing Support Scheme.
- PM Vishwakarma Scheme: Launched in 2023, supporting women engaged in 18 traditional trades.
- Yashasvini Campaign: An awareness drive to inform and guide aspiring women entrepreneurs about government schemes and capacity-building initiatives.
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Expanding Entrepreneurial Opportunities Through Skill Development for Women Entrepreneurs
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), through its agencies NIESBUD and IIE, is implementing specialized programs to promote entrepreneurial mindsets and access to structured mentorship, finance, and incubation support.
Highlights include:
- PM JANMAN Scheme: Focuses on training tribal communities; over 31,500 women have been trained in entrepreneurship since March 2024.
- Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA): Targets 1,000 tribal groups and 30 districts through training and skilling interventions.
- Swavalambini Programme: A collaborative initiative with NITI Aayog launched in 2025 across Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana to support female students and early-stage entrepreneurs. Structured EAP and EDP training modules are being delivered to over 1,800 women.
- EDC and Incubation Centres in NER: 30 EDCs and 4 ICs are being set up in the North East. Already, 600+ women have completed entrepreneurship development training.
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These interventions not only foster entrepreneurial confidence but also ensure women have equitable access to resources, mentorship, and markets.
This detailed roadmap was shared by Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, in a recent address to the Lok Sabha.
