Swavalambini | 10 Feb 2025

Source: PIB 

Why in News? 

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in collaboration with NITI Aayog launched “Swavalambini” in Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram. 

What is Swavalambini? 

  • About: Swavalambini is a women entrepreneurship program that aims to empower females in Northeast Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) with an entrepreneurial mindset, resources, and mentorship for business success. 
  • Program Structure: MSDE, in collaboration with Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), Guwahati and NITI Aayog, launched a stage-wise entrepreneurial process including Entrepreneurship Awareness Programme (EAP), Women Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP), Faculty Development Programme (FDP), and funding. 
    • Successful ventures will be recognized and awarded, inspiring others and establishing a clear framework to scale women-led enterprises in India. 
  • Expected Outcomes: 10% of EDP trainees expected to launch successful businesses. 
    • Strengthens entrepreneurial culture in HEIs, making business creation a viable career path for women. Promotes women-led enterprises as a key driver of India’s economic transformation. 

How Does Swavalambini Align with National Policies? 

  • National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Promotes skill integration, industry collaboration, and entrepreneurship-driven education. 
    • Swavalambini builds on this by ensuring financial and mentorship support for women entrepreneurs. 
  • Women Entrepreneurship Schemes: Swavalambini strengthens initiatives like Start-Up India, Stand-Up India, PM Mudra Yojana, and Women Entrepreneurship Platform. 
    • Swavalambini aligns with the Union Budget 2025, which introduced a Rs 10,000 crore start-up fund and extended the 100% tax exemption on start-up profits for the first five years, providing crucial financial support for emerging women-led enterprises. 

Women Entrepreneurship Landscape in India 

  • Total MSMEs in India: Over 63 million, Women-Owned MSME 20% (12.39 million). 
  • Employment Contribution: Women-led MSMEs employ 22-27 million people. 
  • India’s Rank in Women Entrepreneurship: India currently ranks 57th out of 65 nations, in the Mastercard Index on Women Entrepreneurship (MIWE) 2021. 
    • India ranks 70th among 77 nations in the Global Female Entrepreneurship Index (FEI) as estimated by the Global Entrepreneurship and Development Institute. 
  • Top States with the Highest Share of Women-Led MSMEs: West Bengal (23.42%), Tamil Nadu (10.37%), Telangana (7.85%), Karnataka (7.56%), and Andhra Pradesh (6.76%). 

Women_Entrepreneurship _India

Women_Entrepreneurs

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs): 

Q. What does venture capital mean? (2014)

(a) A short-term capital provided to industries 
(b) A long-term start-up capital provided to new entrepreneurs 
(c) Funds provided to industries at times of incurring losses 
(d) Funds provided for replacement and renovation of industries 

Ans: (b) 

Q. With reference to ‘Stand Up India Scheme’, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2016)

  1. Its purpose is to promote entrepreneurship among SC/ST and women entrepreneurs. 
  2. It provides for refinance through SIDBI. 

Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

(a) 1 only 
(b) 2 only 
(c) Both 1 and 2 
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 

Ans: (C) 

Q. Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana is aimed at (2016)

(a) bringing the small entrepreneurs into formal financial system 
(b) providing loans to poor farmers for cultivating particular crops 
(c) providing pensions to old and destitute persons 
(d) funding the voluntary organisations involved in the promotion of skill development and employment generation 

Ans: (a)