Govt Launches ‘Swavalambini’ Women Entrepreneurship Programme to Empower Young Entrepreneurs

Meerut: In a significant step towards fostering women-led entrepreneurship, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in collaboration with NITI Aayog, launched ‘Swavalambini’ – a Women Entrepreneurship Programme at Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut. The initiative aims to equip female students in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) with the necessary entrepreneurial skills, mentorship, and resources to successfully build and scale their ventures.

Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and MoS for Education, inaugurated the programme, emphasizing its role in advancing women-led development. He stated that Swavalambini is not just another scheme where women are beneficiaries, but an initiative where women take the lead in economic and social transformation.

“Women’s participation is crucial for India’s progress. If we break barriers and provide the right resources, training, and financial support, we can unlock their true potential. Women’s empowerment is not just an economic necessity but a social transformation. When a woman is empowered, she uplifts her family, her community, and the entire nation,” he said.

Implemented by the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) in partnership with NITI Aayog, Swavalambini follows a stage-wise approach to entrepreneurship. The programme includes:

• Entrepreneurship Awareness Programme (EAP): A two-day workshop introducing 600 female students to entrepreneurial concepts, market opportunities, and business skills.
• Women Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP): A 40-hour training initiative for 300 selected students, covering business development, finance, market linkages, legal compliance, and startup strategies.
• Six-month Mentorship & Handholding Support: Guiding participants to transform ideas into scalable businesses.
• Faculty Development Programme (FDP): A five-day training course for educators to mentor women entrepreneurs within their institutions.

To encourage participation and excellence, the Award to Rewards Initiative will recognize and support successful women-led enterprises through funding, incubation, and business acceleration programs.

Following its successful rollout across HEIs in the Eastern Region, including IIT Bhubaneswar, Utkal University, North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Mizoram University, and Gauhati University, Swavalambini is now being expanded across India. The event also marked the virtual launch of the programme at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), University of Hyderabad, and Maulana Azad National Urdu University, ensuring broader regional participation.

During the event, NIESBUD signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to further promote entrepreneurial education and skill development:

1. With the Skills Development Network (SDN), an implementing partner of Wadhwani Foundation in India, to develop training modules and enhance entrepreneurship programs.
2. With Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, to integrate entrepreneurial education, training, and incubation support within the academic curriculum.

Jayant Chaudhary also launched a report titled “Leading with Vision for Skills and Innovation”, which captures insights from his participation at the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2025. The report highlights India’s transformative advancements in skill development, emerging job trends, and the country’s role in shaping the global skilling agenda.

The launch event witnessed the presence of Dr. Laxmikant Bajpai, MP (Rajya Sabha); Dr. Raj Kumar Sangwan, MP (Lok Sabha, Baghpat); Chandan Chauhan, MP (Lok Sabha, Bijnor); Dharmendra Bharadwaj, MLC (Uttar Pradesh); and Amit Agarwal, MLA (Meerut Cantonment).

Other notable attendees included Shreeshail Malge, Joint Secretary, MSDE, Sangeeta Shukla, Vice Chancellor, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, and senior officials from MSDE, NITI Aayog, and partner institutions.

With Swavalambini, the Government of India aims to create a self-reliant, women-led entrepreneurial landscape, ensuring that at least 10% of trained participants establish successful enterprises. The initiative marks a new era of women’s empowerment, enabling them to become leaders, innovators, and changemakers in India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.