Swavalambini Initiative to promote women entrepreneurship in country

To promote women entrepreneurship in the country, the Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in collaboration with NITI Aayog, has launched the Swavalambini initiative. 

The Swavalambini initiative at the Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, was launched by Union Minister (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary on1st March 2025.

The Swavalambini initiative was simultaneously virtually launched in Banaras Hindu University (BHU), the University of Hyderabad, and Maulana Azad National Urdu University.

The  Swavalambini initiative was initially launched in the Higher Educational Institutions of the Eastern region of the country. It was successfully launched at IIT Bhubaneswar and Utkal University in Odisha; North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong; Kiang Nangbah Government College, Jowai; and Ri Bhoi College in Meghalaya, etc. It is being gradually expanded to other parts of the country.

Who is implementing the Swavalambini Initiative?

The Swavalambini initiative is being implemented by the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) and in joint partnership with NITI Aayog. NIESBUD comes under the  Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

What is the Swavalambini Programme?

It aims to empower female students in Higher Education Institutions with the skills and confidence needed to establish their businesses.

It includes a two-day Entrepreneurship Awareness Programme for around 600 female students, where they will learn fundamental entrepreneurial concepts, market opportunities, and essential business skills.

After this,300 selected students will undergo 40 40-hour training sessions on critical aspects of business development, finance access, market linkages, compliance, and legal support.  A six-month mentorship and hand-holding support system will be provided to the participants to transform their ideas into sustainable business ventures.

Faculty members of these Higher Educational institutions will be trained under the Faculty Development Programme. 

They will act as the mentor of the and guide aspiring women entrepreneurs within their institutions.

The Swavalambini initiative aims to see at least 10% of the Women Entrepreneurship Development Programme-trained participants establish successful enterprises.