Guwahati: In a landmark initiative to promote women entrepreneurship in the Northeast, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in collaboration with NITI Aayog, has launched Swavalambini – a Women Entrepreneurship Programme in Assam, Meghalaya, and Mizoram. The program aims to empower female students in select Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) by equipping them with entrepreneurial skills, mentorship, and resources to build successful businesses.
For the first time, MSDE, through the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) and in collaboration with NITI Aayog, has introduced a structured, stage-wise entrepreneurial process—covering awareness, development, mentorship, and funding support. The initiative will recognize and award successful women-led ventures, inspiring more women to pursue entrepreneurship as a viable career path.
The virtual inauguration of the program took place across nine colleges and universities, with Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (I/C) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Government of India, launching the initiative. Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, MSDE, along with other senior officials, was also present during the event.
The program is being implemented across several HEIs, including Gauhati University, North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Kiang Nangba Government College, Ri-Bhoi College, Mizoram University, Government Champai College, Lunglei Government College, Handique College, and Dispur College.
Empowering Women as Job Creators and Business Leaders
Speaking at the event, Shri Jayant Chaudhary highlighted the transformative impact of Swavalambini, stating, “This program is a commitment to empower, enable, and elevate young women as job creators and leaders of tomorrow. The Northeast is brimming with potential, and Swavalambini will provide the support necessary to scale ideas into sustainable businesses.”
He further emphasized the government’s ongoing support for women entrepreneurs through flagship initiatives like Start-Up India, Stand-Up India, PM Mudra Yojana, and the Women Entrepreneurship Platform. The recently announced Union Budget 2025 further strengthens this commitment with a ₹10,000 crore fund and an extension of the 100% tax exemption on startup profits for another five years.
“Swavalambini represents a new chapter in our journey towards women-led entrepreneurship, which is critical to India’s transformation,” he added.
Structured Training and Mentorship for Women Entrepreneurs
Swavalambini will provide structured training through:
- Entrepreneurship Awareness Programme (EAP): A two-day session introducing 600 female students to entrepreneurship as a career option.
- Women Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP): A 40-hour intensive training for 300 selected students, covering business planning, finance, legal compliance, market linkages, and networking opportunities.
- Mentorship Support: A six-month mentorship program to help participants translate their ideas into sustainable businesses.
The program builds upon the foundation laid by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes entrepreneurship-driven education, industry collaboration, and hands-on experience.
Recognizing the critical role of educators, the initiative will also feature a five-day Faculty Development Programme (FDP), training faculty members in business incubation, industry insights, and entrepreneurship coaching techniques.
Encouraging Women-Led Enterprises Through Recognition and Funding
A unique highlight of Swavalambini is the Award to Rewards Initiative, which will recognize successful women entrepreneurs emerging from the program. This will inspire future entrepreneurs while reinforcing the message that women-led businesses are key to India’s economic future.
The program will also provide seed funding, mentorship workshops, and business development support to create sustainable women-led enterprises.
With a goal of ensuring that at least 10% of EDP trainees launch their own businesses, Swavalambini is set to transform the entrepreneurial landscape of the Northeast. By instilling a culture of entrepreneurship in HEIs, this initiative marks a major step toward uplifting and celebrating the next generation of women business leaders.
