What is the News?

  • The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) launched the Swavalambini – Women Entrepreneurship Programme in February 2025.
  • It is currently running as a pilot project.
  • The programme is being implemented in selected Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
  • The information was shared in the Lok Sabha by Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge), MSDE.

ABOUT SWAVALAMBINI SCHEME

  • Swavalambini is a Women Entrepreneurship Programme.
  • It aims to promote entrepreneurship among female students.
  • The goal is to help young women move from business idea (ideation) to successful enterprise creation.
  • The programme is implemented by:
    • National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), Noida
    • Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), Guwahati
  • NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) is the knowledge partner.

OBJECTIVES OF THE SCHEME

  • Develop an entrepreneurial mindset among female students.
  • Provide awareness about:
    • Government schemes
    • Financial support
    • Market access
    • Business networks
  • Help women choose entrepreneurship as a career.

TARGET GROUP

Total target: 1200 female students from HEIs and Universities. Step 1: Entrepreneurship Awareness Programme (EAP)
  • 1200 students attend the Entrepreneurship Awareness Programme (EAP).
  • Purpose: Basic understanding of entrepreneurship.
  • Total trained so far: 1,110 students.
Step 2: Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP)
  • From EAP participants, 600 students are selected.
  • They undergo the Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP).
  • EDP provides intensive training in:
    • Business skills
    • Access to finance
    • Market linkages
    • Legal and compliance support
    • Business services
    • Networking
  • Total trained so far: 302 students.
Step 3: Mentorship & Handholding
  • 21 weeks of mentorship and handholding support.
  • Industry leaders and successful entrepreneurs guide participants.
  • Focus is on converting ideas into sustainable enterprises.

FACULTY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

  • To ensure long-term impact, a Faculty Development Programme (FDP) is included.
  • Faculty members receive 5-day training.
  • Aim: Enable teachers to mentor future women entrepreneurs.
  • Target: 75 faculty members
  • Total trained: 75 faculty members
STATE WISE IMPLEMENTATION States covered under pilot project:
  • Assam
  • Meghalaya
  • Mizoram
  • Uttar Pradesh
  • Telangana
Programme-wise Total Trained
  • FDP: 75
  • EAP: 1,110
  • EDP: 302
Note: In some states, EDP is still under implementation. Financial Allocation
  • Total funds allocated: ₹40,46,016
  • Funds released so far: ₹10,11,504
  • Funds given to:
    • NIESBUD
    • IIE

MONITORING & EXPANSION

  • MSDE oversees execution and monitoring.
  • NITI Aayog:
    • Organizes workshops
    • Provides mentoring support
    • Facilitates seed funding
    • Recognizes entrepreneurs through Award To Reward (ATR) initiative
  • Currently, the scheme is in pilot phase.
  • No proposal at present to expand it to Andhra Pradesh.
  • A strong monitoring and evaluation mechanism is in place at the Ministry level.

WHY IS SWAVALAMBINI IMPORTANT?

  • Promotes women empowerment through entrepreneurship.
  • Encourages self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat).
  • Strengthens skill development ecosystem.
  • Focuses on structured training + mentorship model.
  • Supports inclusive growth by targeting female students in HEIs.