Lok Sabha Question No. 2377 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-18
Subject: Women Entrepreneurs
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: Sanjay(Kaka) Ramchandra Patil

## 2377.   SHRI SANJAY KAKA PATIL:

Will the Minister of SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of new women entrepreneurs in the manufacturing or the high-value sectors;
- (b) the reasons for low number of women entrepreneurs in such sectors; and
- (c) the measures taken or assistance provided by the Government to increase women entrepreneurs in these fields?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENERUSHIP

(SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR)

- (a) to (c) Under the Government of India's Skill India Mission (SIM), the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) delivers skill, re-skill and up-skill training through an extensive network of skill  development  centres/colleges/institutes  etc.  under  various  schemes,  viz.  Pradhan  Mantri  Kaushal Vikas  Yojana  (PMKVY),  Jan  Shikshan  Sansthan  (JSS),  National  Apprenticeship  Promotion  Scheme (NAPS)  and  Craftsman  Training  Scheme  (CTS)  through  Industrial  Training  Institutes  (ITIs),  to  all  the sections of the society across the country. The SIM aims at enabling youth of India to get future ready and industry ready skills.
- I. The  details  of  the  various  initiatives/programmes  undertaken  by  Ministries/Departments  of  the Government for development of Women Entrepreneurs across the country are as under
- (i) Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) In order to build a strong ecosystem for nurturing innovation  and startups across the  country,  the Government has launched  the Startup  India  initiative  on  16 th January  2016.  The  Government  maintains  data  specific  to  recognised startups with at least one-woman Director. As per eligibility conditions prescribed under G.S.R. notification 127 (E) dated 19th February 2019, entities are recognized as 'startups' under Startup India initiative by the Department  for  Promotion  of  Industry  and  Internal  Trade  (DPIIT).  As  on  31 st October  2023,  a  total  of 1,14,902 entities have been recognised as startups, of which, 54,569 startups have at least one-woman Director. The details of the sector-wise number of recognised startups with at least one-woman Director as on 31.10.2023 is placed at Annexure-I .

The Government is implementing various schemes/programmes to promote women entrepreneurship in both, rural and urban areas which is placed at Annexure-II .

- (ii) Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) through Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), is implementing Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) for assisting  entrepreneurs across the country in setting up of new units in the non-farm sector. It aims to provide  employment  opportunities  to  traditional  artisans/  rural  and  urban  unemployed  youth  at  their doorstep. Under PMEGP, General Category beneficiaries can avail Margin Money subsidy of 25% of the project  cost  in rural  areas  and  15%  in  urban  areas.   For  beneficiaries  belonging  to  Special  Categories, such as Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs, Minorities, Women, Transgenders, Ex-servicemen,

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2377

ANSWERED ON 18.12.2023

## WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

Differently  Able,  beneficiaries  belonging  to  Northeastern  Region,  Aspirational  District,  Hill  and  Border areas, etc., the Margin Money subsidy is 35% in rural areas and 25% in urban area. The maximum cost of project  is  Rs.50  lakh  in  the  manufacturing  sector  and  Rs.20  lakh  in  the  service  sector.    Also,  own contribution for beneficiaries belonging to Special Categories which includes Women is 5% of project cost as  compared  to  10%  for  General  Category  beneficiaries.  The  details  of  women-owned  units  assisted under PMEGP across the country during last 3 years and current year are as under:

| Years                      |   Margin Money disbursed (Rs. in Lakhs) |   Units assisted |   Estimated employment generated |
|----------------------------|-----------------------------------------|------------------|----------------------------------|
| 2020-21                    |                                   88674 |            27285 |                           218280 |
| 2021-22                    |                                  124451 |            39156 |                           313248 |
| 2022-23                    |                                  117572 |            32626 |                           261008 |
| 2023-24 (as on 12.12.2023) |                                  101695 |            21594 |                           172752 |

(iii) Ministry  of  Electronics  and  Information  Technology  (MeitY) -  Under  SAMRIDH scheme, MeitY has a dedicated women led accelerators named Zone Startups supporting the cohort of 5 women led startups. Further, under the Technology Incubation and Development of Entrepreneurs (TIDE) Scheme of MeitY, financial assistance is provided to Institutions of Higher Learning to strengthen their Technology Incubation Centres for enabling young entrepreneurs to create technology startup companies for commercial exploitation of technologies developed by them. Under the scheme, 34 entrepreneurs are women.

II. Ministry  of  Skill  Development  and  Entrepreneurship  (MSDE) through  National  Institute  for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) and Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE),  Guwahati  has  been  working  for  the  empowerment,  upliftment  and  development  of  women entrepreneurs  across  the  country.  MSDE  has  taken  various  initiatives  towards  promotion  of  women entrepreneurship across the Country. The details of the various initiatives taken by MSDE are as under:

## (i) Strengthening  Entrepreneurial  Climate  through  Capacity  Building,  Incubation  Support, Mentoring and Handholding sanctioned under SANKALP Scheme

NIESBUD  is  implementing  the  project  for  strengthening  the  entrepreneurship  ecosystem  to different  sections  of  the  society  including  marginalized  population  with  the  support  of  SANKALP Programme of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). A total of 13987 women beneficiaries have been covered in the project through capacity building interventions.

## (ii) Organising Workshops in Artisan Melas And Haats

NIESBUD is implementing a project supported by the MSDE for organising workshops for capacity building and providing entrepreneurial knowledge to the artisans during the Melas and Haats. A total of 342 women beneficiaries have been covered in the project.

## (iii) Creating Entrepreneurial Climate through Training of Trainers and  Entrepreneurship Development Programme in Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS)

NIESBUD  is  implementing  a  project  for  Creating  Entrepreneurial  Climate  through  Training  of Trainers  and  Entrepreneurship  Development  Programme  in  Jan  Shikshan  Sansthans  (JSS).  A  total  of 1105  women  JSS  Trainers  have  been  trained  in  the  project  through  Trainers  Training  Programme  on Employability, Entrepreneurship and Life Skills. Further, a total of 3666 women JSS Trainees have been trained in the project through Entrepreneurship Development Programme.

## (iv)      Pilot Project for Entrepreneurship Development Program

NIESBUD  has  implemented  a  Pilot  Project  for  Entrepreneurship  Development  Program  in  10 States  sponsored  by  the  Ministry  of  Skill  Development  and  Entrepreneurship  which  aims  at  creating, fostering and promoting the spirit of entrepreneurship among the target groups through Entrepreneurship Development Programme, Mentoring and Handholding support. A total of 3089 women participants have been trained in the project.

## (v)       Pilot Project on Entrepreneurship Development in Holy Cities

NIESBUD has implemented the pilot project on Entrepreneurship Development in Holy Cities at Varanasi,  Haridwar  and  Pandharpur.  The  primary  objectives  of  the  project  was  to  catalyse  the entrepreneurial  activities  of  the  temple  town  through  resumption  of  existing  livelihood  activities  and  by supporting  existing  enterprise  to  scale  up  and  to  tap  the  potential  entrepreneurs,  mentoring  them  to identify,  set  up  enterprises  and  management  of  the  enterprises.  A  total  number  of  5719  female participants have been trained through the project in three project locations.

(vi) Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), Guwahati has established incubation centres dedicated to  nurturing  and  supporting  women-led  startups.  The  centers  provide  a  conducive  environment  for ideation,  innovation,  and  early-stage  development. They  offer  resources  such  as  shared  office spaces, access  to  technology,  and  networking  opportunities,  fostering  a  collaborative  ecosystem  that  propels women  entrepreneurs  towards  success.  Additionally,  financial  linkages  are  being  provided  to  women entrepreneurs  to  alleviate  initial  capital  constraints.  The  following  projects/  programmes  are  being undertaken by IIE for promotion of entrepreneurship among women:

- a. The  Institute  has  undertaken  various  programmes  under  Pradhan  Mantri  Janjatiya  Vikas  Mission (PMJVM) formerly known as Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY), that benefits women to be financially  independent.  Women  have  been  motivated  to  learn  various  trades  offered  through  the PMVDY scheme and start their own entrepreneurial journey thereby improving the livelihood of these women  from  different  tribal  communities.   Under  the  PMVDY  scheme,  a  fund  of  Rs.  2,40,000  as working capital is provided to every cluster, with the help of which the beneficiaries can purchase raw materials  and  other  necessary  items  required  to  start  a  business  on  their  own.  Also  additional supporting funds  are  allocated  and  distributed  per  cluster  to  facilitate  renovation,  increase  storage space to ensure maintenance of mandatory compliances and for electricity power connections.
- b. Cluster development projects undertaken to regenerate traditional artisanal activity:  In the North East Region,  the  Ministry  of  Micro,  Small,  and  Medium  Enterprises  (MSME)  is  actively  leading  the regeneration  and  revitalization  efforts  for  women-led  clusters  through  the  implementation  of  the Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI). SFURTI is designed to breathe new life into traditional industries by offering crucial support, including financial assistance, capacity building,  design  development,  product  development  support,  capacity  building,  market  linkage supports  and  technological  upgrades.  IIE  Guwahati  has  been  implementing  61  Projects  of  cluster development under SFURTI in various states of Northeastern Region, West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and Uttarakhand. The key focus is in Northeastern Region and women beneficiaries who have taken one step  out  of  their  households  to  form  collectives  to  create  enterprise  opportunities.  Out  of  these  61 clusters, 30 clusters are primarily women-led, cutting across various sectors like Handloom traditional textile,  dress  making,  bamboo  craft  and  other  crafts,  food  processing,  toy  making.  Through  the  61 clusters 30,054  beneficiaries were  benefited. Out  of  these 30,054  beneficiaries  of  SFURTI Programme implemented by IIE, 17,759 beneficiaries are women which is approximately 59 percent.
- c. Technological interventions have enabled women artisans to increase their skills and productivity to make  contemporary  products  out  of  traditional  skills  and  designs.  Some  women-led  clusters developed by IIE have also been able to export products directly from Nagaland, enabling them earn better  income  and  livelihoods.  Such  enterprising  efforts  are  driven  by  women-led  SPVs  (Special Purpose Vehicles) which run and manage the enterprise activities. They have also developed their own brand and distinct identity with the support provided by the Government.

(vii)   Economic  Empowerment  of  Women  Entrepreneurs  and  Start-ups  by  Women  (WEE) project was  supported  by  'Deutsche  Gesellschaft  fur  Internationale  Zusammenarbeit'  (GIZ)  on  behalf  of  the German  Federal  Ministry  for  Economic  Cooperation  and  Development  (BMZ)  in  partnership  with  the MSDE  to  improve  the  framework  conditions  for  women-led  enterprises  in  India.  WEE  project  was launched by the MSDE in 2018, initially for duration of 3 years (2018-2021) which was further extended for one year to July, 2022.  The project aimed to pilot incubation and acceleration programmes for women micro  entrepreneurs,  enabling  them  to  start  new  businesses  and  scale  up  existing  enterprises  in  the States  of  Maharashtra,  Rajasthan,  Telangana,  Uttar  Pradesh,  and  Eight  North  Eastern  States  of  the Country. Under the title of 'Her & Now', the WEE project had carried out a film and media campaign to share the stories of successful Women Entrepreneurs and to foster a positive mindset change on gender roles and norms in the society. Over 908 Women Entrepreneurs were supported under the project under both incubation and acceleration support programmes.

## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2377 REGARDING 'WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS' TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.12.2023.

The  details  of  the  sector-wise  number  of  recognised  startups  with  at  least  one-woman  Director  as  on 31.10.2023 are as under:

| Sectors                                     | Number of DPIIT Recognised startups with at least one-woman director   |
|---------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| IT Services                                 | 6,300                                                                  |
| Healthcare & Life sciences                  | 5,654                                                                  |
| Education                                   | 3,545                                                                  |
| Food & Beverages                            | 3,075                                                                  |
| Agriculture                                 | 2,936                                                                  |
| Professional & Commercial Services          | 2,881                                                                  |
| Construction                                | 2,414                                                                  |
| Technology Hardware                         | 1,648                                                                  |
| Finance Technology                          | 1,552                                                                  |
| Renewable Energy                            | 1,376                                                                  |
| Human Resources                             | 1,329                                                                  |
| Retail                                      | 1,223                                                                  |
| Others                                      | 1,196                                                                  |
| Green Technology                            | 1,177                                                                  |
| Marketing                                   | 1,088                                                                  |
| Automotive                                  | 1,071                                                                  |
| Textiles & Apparel                          | 1,015                                                                  |
| Fashion                                     | 1,003                                                                  |
| AI                                          | 864                                                                    |
| Enterprise Software                         | 864                                                                    |
| Travel & Tourism                            | 812                                                                    |
| Media & Entertainment                       | 805                                                                    |
| Non- Renewable Energy                       | 799                                                                    |
| Transportation & Storage                    | 717                                                                    |
| Internet of Things Security Solutions       | 698 575                                                                |
| Chemicals                                   | 566                                                                    |
| Telecommunication & Networking              | 523                                                                    |
| Aeronautics Aerospace & Defence Real Estate | 497                                                                    |
|                                             | 460                                                                    |
| Waste Management                            | 421                                                                    |
| House-Hold Services Social Impact           | 407 402                                                                |
| Other Specialty Retailers                   |                                                                        |
|                                             | 400                                                                    |
| Advertising                                 | 357                                                                    |
| Architecture Interior Design                | 355                                                                    |
| Design                                      | 352                                                                    |
| Social Network                              | 298                                                                    |
| Logistics                                   | 264                                                                    |
| Sports                                      | 243                                                                    |
| Art & Photography                           | 228                                                                    |
| Robotics                                    | 225                                                                    |
| Events                                      | 217                                                                    |
| AR VR (Augmented + Virtual Reality)         | 211                                                                    |
| Biotechnology Safety                        | 198 181                                                                |
| Pets & Animals                              | 176                                                                    |

| Toys and Games          | 163    |
|-------------------------|--------|
| Indic Language Startups | 145    |
| Computer Vision         | 109    |
| Nanotechnology          | 84     |
| Animation               | 56     |
| Dating Matrimonial      | 33     |
| Airport Operations      | 12     |
| Passenger Experience    | 5      |
| Not Specified           | 1      |
| Grand Total             | 54,569 |

## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2377 REGARDING 'WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS' TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.12.2023.

- (i) To promote flow of both equity and debt to women led startups, 10% of the fund (Rs 1000 crore) in the Fund of Funds for Startups Scheme operated by SIDBI is reserved for women led startups. Under said scheme, as on 30 th April 2023, 11women-led AIFs have been supported under FFS and approximately Rs. 2,000 crores have been invested in around 110 women-led startups.
- (ii) Women Capacity Development Programme (WING) is a unique Capacity Development Program for  women-led  startups,  to  identify  and  support  both  aspiring  and  established  women  entrepreneurs  in their startup journeys. The  workshops  are  open  to  variety  of business  sectors  including  Tech, Construction, Product, Machine, Food, Agriculture, Education, etc. The workshops served as a platform for emerging women entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to discuss the key challenges facing women entrepreneurs.  WING  workshops  have  created  a  conducive  environment  to  share  best  practices  and experiences in overcoming challenges and to gain insights learned from the business models adopted in the Indian context. A total of 24 workshops were conducted across 9 States, benefiting more than 1,300 women entrepreneurs.
- (iii) Virtual Incubation Program for Women Entrepreneurs were conducted in collaboration with Zone Startups to support 20 women-led tech startups with pro-bono acceleration support for 3 months.
- (iv) Startup  India  Hub:  A  webpage  dedicated  to  women  entrepreneurs  has  been  designed  on  the Startup India portal. The page includes various policy measures for women entrepreneurs by both Central and State Governments.
- (v) ASCEND  Startup  Workshop  Series  and  Women  for  Startups  Workshops:  The  Government organized a series of startup workshops - ASCEND (Accelerating Startup Calibre& Entrepreneurial Drive), for  the  entrepreneurs,  aspiring  entrepreneurs,  and  students  from  North-eastern  region.  In  addition,  the workshops are being conducted with a specific focus on women entrepreneurs across the north-eastern states.  The  workshops  were  organized  during  the  month  of  November  2022  and  December  2022  in Manipur,  Assam,  Meghalaya,  Mizoram,  Arunachal  Pradesh,  Nagaland,  Sikkim,  and  Tripura.  The workshops witnessed participation of over 11,000 ecosystem stakeholders such as government officials, startups, aspiring entrepreneurs, investors, academic institutions, etc.
- (vi) Super Stree Podcast: With a vision to inspire  a greater number  of  women across all  regions  in India to become entrepreneurs, the Super Stree video podcast series has been launched on women in the Indian  Startup  Ecosystem.  More  than  8  podcasts  have  been  released  to  spread  awareness  related  to innovations from women and to further strengthen women entrepreneurship in the country.
- (vii) Through its various awareness programmes and capacity building programmes organized by the Government,  and  through  print  media  and  social  media  platforms,  the  Government  also  creates awareness about the existing schemes which support micro, small and medium entrepreneurs, including women entrepreneurs.
- (viii) The States' Startup Ranking on support to startup ecosystems is primarily an exercise to identify good  practices  across  all  the  Indian  states.  The  evaluation  includes  a  specific  provision  to  gauge  the formulation and implementation of policies and special incentives to promote women-led startups in each state.  The  particular  action  point  has  witnessed  active  engagement  and thereon  reporting of measures undertaken by participating States and UTs.
- (ix) To identify the depth, quality and spread of innovation, inclusivity and diversity, and entrepreneurship in country, the Government instituted the National Startup Awards ('NSA'). The winners of NSA have emerged from Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, Mysuru, Bhopal, Gurugram, Kochi, Lucknow, Margao, etc. All four editions of the NSA (2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023) have featured a special category and award for women-led startups. NSA recognizes and promotes startups across 20 sectors and special categories

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