Jayant Chaudhary launches Swavalambini, a Women Entrepreneurship Programme

Programme simultaneously launched at Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut and other Higher Education Institutes across India

5 Dariya News

Meerut 01-Mar-2025

Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in collaboration with NITI Aayog, launched Swavalambini— a Women Entrepreneurship Programme at Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, taking a significant step towards strengthening women entrepreneurship in India.

This initiative empowers female students in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) by providing them with the necessary entrepreneurial mindset, resources, and mentorship to successfully build and scale their ventures.Minister of State (I/C) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and MoS for Education Shri Jayant Chaudhary during his address, said “The Swavalambini Women Entrepreneurship Programme is an initiative aimed at empowering young women with the skills and confidence needed to establish their own businesses. 

We want to move beyond programmes that enlist women as beneficiaries of the schemes, we want to move to women-led development initiatives and this is our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s conceptualisation as well. Women’s participation is crucial for India’s progress. Imagine the limitless possibilities if we break barriers and provide women with the right resources, training, and financial support, we can unlock their true potential. 

Women’s empowerment is not just an economic necessity but a social transformation. When a woman is empowered, she uplifts her family, her community, and the entire nation.”Shri Jayant Chaudhary also added, “The Government of India has consistently focused on providing equal opportunities to youth of India through the National Education Policy which has given them the vision to learn and excel in their careers. 

We look forward to introducing a curriculum with AI related courses in schools and colleges, to create awareness and upskill the youth of our country”Under the aegis of MSDE and implemented by the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) and in joint partnership with NITI Ayog, Swavalambini aims to establish a structured and stage-wise entrepreneurial journey for young women. 

The programme will take participants through various stages, including awareness-building, skill development, mentorship, and funding support. By promoting and recognising promising women-led ventures, the initiative seeks to set a benchmark for the future of women entrepreneurship in India.

Following its successful introduction across several HEIs in the Eastern region, including IIT Bhubaneswar and Utkal University in Odisha; North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong; Kiang Nangbah Government College, Jowai and Ri Bhoi College in Meghalaya; Mizoram University; Government Champhai College, Champhai and Lunglei Government College in Mizoram; Handique Girls’ College, Guwahati; Dispur College and Gauhati University in Assam, among others, Swavalambini is now being expanded to other regions of the country.

The event also marked the virtual launch of Swavalambini in Banaras Hindu University (BHU), University of Hyderabad, and Maulana Azad National Urdu University, thereby extending the reach of this initiative across different regions of the country.The programme introduces a structured, multi-stage training approach to help young women transition from ideation to successful enterprise creation.

It begins with an Entrepreneurship Awareness Programme (EAP), a two-day workshop designed to introduce around 600 female students to fundamental entrepreneurial concepts, market opportunities, and essential business skills. This is followed by the Women Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP), a 40-hour training initiative for 300 selected students. 

The EDP covers critical aspects of business development, finance access, market linkages, compliance, and legal support. Additionally, a six-month mentorship and handholding support system has been incorporated to help participants transform their ideas into sustainable business ventures.

To ensure long-term impact, the programme also includes a Faculty Development Programme (FDP), where faculty members from participating HEIs undergo a five-day training session. This initiative equips educators with the necessary skills to mentor and guide aspiring women entrepreneurs within their institutions. 

Furthermore, Swavalambini will recognise and reward successful women entrepreneurs emerging from the programme through the Award to Rewards Initiative, inspiring future participants. The programme will leverage workshops, seed funding, and structured mentoring to support the growth of women-led enterprises.

By advocating an ecosystem that nurtures women entrepreneurs, Swavalambini is poised to create a significant impact in North India and beyond. The initiative aspires to see at least 10% of the EDP-trained participants establish successful enterprises, contributing to the larger vision of a self-reliant, women-led entrepreneurial landscape in India. 

With the launch in Meerut, Varanasi and Telangana and the successful implementation in the East, the programme continues to empower women as business leaders, innovators, and change makers. Through structured training, mentorship, and policy support, Swavalambini is set to redefine the future of women entrepreneurship in the country.

TWO MOU SIGNING

Marking the occasion, the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) has signed two MoUs with the Skills Development Network (SDN), an Indian Trust registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulations) Act, 2010 and implementing partner of Wadhwani Foundation in India; and with Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, to enhance entrepreneurial skills, develop curricula, and promote self-employment through training, workshops, and incubation support, thereby strengthening entrepreneurship education and ecosystem development for economic growth.

WEF2025 REPORT LAUNCH

Shri Jayant Chaudhary, also launched a report on his participation at the World Economic Forum 2025—"LEADING WITH VISION FOR SKILLS AND INNOVATION." The booklet highlights India’s transformative advancements in skill development and innovation, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to equipping its workforce with future-ready capabilities. The report outlines key insights shared across roundtables and panel discussions held at WEF2025 on emerging job trends, industry collaborations, and India's role in shaping the global skilling agenda.

Dr. Laxmikant Bajpai, MP, Rajya Sabha; Dr. Raj Kumar Sangwan, MP, Lok Sabha, Baghpat; Shri. Chandan Chauhan, MP, Lok Sabha, Bijnor; Shri. Dharmendra Bharadwaj, MLC, Uttar Pradesh; Shri. Haji Ghulam Muhammad, MLA Siwalkhas, Meerut; Shri. Atul Pradhan, MLA, Sardhana, Meerut; Shri. Gaurav Chaudhary, Jila Panchayat Adhyaksh, Meerut; Shri. Amit Agarwal, MLA, Meerut Contonment, Meerut and partner institutions, graced the occasion.

Joint Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurshuip, Shri Shreeshail Malge, Smt Sangeeta Shukla,Vice Chancellor, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut and other officials of the MSDE were also present on the occasion.