SWAVALAMBINI SCHEME
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.
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