MSME schemes supporting women entrepreneurs

Why in News?

The Government informed the Rajya Sabha that over 3.07 crore women-led enterprises are registered on the Udyam Registration Portal and Udyam Assist Platform.

• Aim – Promote women entrepreneurship, strengthen traditional artisans, and enhance participation of women in micro-enterprise, manufacturing and service sectors.

The Ministry of MSME launched the ‘Yashasvini Campaign’ in 2024 to empower women entrepreneurs across India through an awareness campaign to inform and support women entrepreneurs about MSME schemes.

Credit-Linked Schemes

• Credit Guarantee Scheme for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGS) – Provides collateral-free credit guarantee through Credit Guarantee Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises.
• Progress – Women-led Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) receive 90% guarantee coverage (75% normally) and 10% fee relaxation.
• Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) – Provides credit-linked subsidy to establish micro-enterprises, about 40% of beneficiaries are women, who receive a higher subsidy of up to 35%.

Skill-Linked Scheme

• PM Vishwakarma – Provides skill training (basic and advanced) with stipend, entrepreneurial orientation, financial & digital literacy, and marketing support, including e-commerce onboarding for artisans and craftspeople.
• Coir Vikas Yojana – Skill Upgradation and Mahila Coir Yojana is an Exclusive training programme for women artisans in the coir sector.

Market-Linked Schemes

• Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) – Cluster-based support for traditional industries.
• It includes skill development, digital training, machine handling, design and product development, and e-commerce onboarding.
• Procurement and Marketing Support Scheme – 100% subsidy for women entrepreneurs for participation in trade fairs (80% for others).
• Public Procurement Policy for Micro and Small Enterprises – Mandates at least 3% procurement from women entrepreneurs by the Central Ministry/Department/PSU.
• It is a sub-target within the overall 25% mandatory procurement from MSEs.
• Yashasvini Campaign – Awareness campaign to inform and support women entrepreneurs about MSME schemes.

Reference

PIB | MSME schemes supporting women entrepreneurs