Swavalambini scheme

Why in News?

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship provided Parliament with details on the pilot implementation, funding, and training outcomes of the Swavalambini programme.

• It is a pilot Women Entrepreneurship Program (WEP) to promote an entrepreneurial mindset and enterprise creation among female students in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
• Launched in – 2025.
• Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) in collaboration with NITI Aayog.
• Implemented by – National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), Noida.
• Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), Guwahati.
• Coverage – It aims to establish over 30 women-led enterprises, particularly targeting regions like Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana in its pilot phase.
• Eligibility – Female students from selected HEIs, preferably final-year undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• Objectives – Empower young women to transition from job seekers to job creators and aims for at least 10% of EDP-trained participants to establish successful, sustainable businesses.
• Components – Entrepreneurship Awareness Programme (EAP) – Introductory programme on entrepreneurial awareness.
• Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) – Intensive entrepreneurship development training covering crucial business aspects.
• Faculty Development Programme (FDP) – Faculty members from participating HEIs/Universities shall undergo a five-day training session.
• Mentorship - A 21-week (approx. 6 months) hybrid support system where industry leaders and successful entrepreneurs guide participants from ideation to enterprise creation.
• Recognition - Workshops, mentoring support, seed funding facilitation and Award to Reward (ATR) initiative.
• Significance – Empowerment – Addresses socio-economic barriers faced by women in entrepreneurship.
• Growth – Promotes women-led enterprises contributing to economic growth and employment generation.
• Ecosystem – Strengthens the entrepreneurship ecosystem within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
• Visibility – Enhances recognition and visibility of women entrepreneurs through institutional support.
• Inclusion – Promotes women’s economic self-reliance and inclusive development.

References

1. PIB | Swavalambini scheme
2. About Swavalambini | Women Entrepreneurship Programme