Swavalambini Programme

March 3, 2025

GS Paper III Indian Economy

Recently, the Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in collaboration with NITI Aayog launched the Swavalambini programme aimed to provide structured support to female students in higher education institutions (HEIs) across the country.

WEF2025 Report: Minister also unveiled a report on India’s progress in skill development and innovation at the World Economic Forum 2025.
AI Curriculum in Schools & Colleges: The government plans to introduce AI-related courses to prepare youth for future careers.

About Swavalambini

Objective: To equip women with entrepreneurial skills, financial support, and mentorship to help them build and scale their ventures.
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) & NITI Aayog
Implementing Agency: National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD)

Programme Structure

Entrepreneurship Awareness Programme (EAP): A two-day introductory workshop for 600 female students on business fundamentals.
Women Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP): A 40-hour training for 300 selected students, covering finance, market linkages, compliance, and legal aspects.
Six-Month Mentorship Support: To guide participants in converting ideas into sustainable businesses.
Faculty Development Programme (FDP): A five-day training for educators to mentor future entrepreneurs.
Award to Rewards Initiative: Recognition and incentives for successful women entrepreneurs.

Impact

Aims for 10% of EDP participants to establish businesses, driving a self-reliant, women-led entrepreneurial landscape.

key schemes for promoting women entrepreneurship

Ministry/Department	Scheme/Initiative
Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE)	Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion(SANKALP) Skills Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement (STRIVE), Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) Rashtriya Udyamita Vikas Pariyojana( RUVP)
DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry	Fund of Funds for Startups (10% for women), Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP), National Startup Awards (Women Category)
Department of Science & Technology (DST)	Women Entrepreneurship Development Program (WEDP), Startup Incubation for Women
Ministry of Rural Development	Startup Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP)
Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI)	PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME)
Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA)	Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana (AMSY)
Ministry of MSME	Public Procurement Policy (3% for women MSEs), Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme, Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises, ZED Certification, Mahila Coir Yojana, Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries, Yashasvini Campaigns, Samarth Initiative
Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY)	Technological Incubation and Development of Entrepreneurs (TIDE) Scheme for Women-Led Tech Startups.
MSME Innovative (Incubation) Scheme	Supports women innovators in business development

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