Lok Sabha Question No. 2623 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Special Support for Young, Women and Rural Entrepreneurs
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: Shri Darshan Singh Choudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2623

ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026

## SPECIAL SUPPORT FOR YOUNG, WOMEN AND RURAL ENTREPRENEURS

†2623 SHRI DARSHAN SINGH CHOUDHARY:

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

- (a) the steps taken/being taken by the Government under the PM-Setu scheme to strengthen the startup and entrepreneurship ecosystem in the country, especially to encourage early-stage startups and first-time entrepreneurs;
- (b) the main objectives, provisions and eligibility criteria of the PM-Setu scheme;
- (c) the details of the number of startups/entrepreneurs that have been provided financial and technical assistance under the scheme so far, State/UT-wise;
- (d) the additional provisions made to provide special assistance to first-time young women rural entrepreneurs; and
- (e) the monitoring and evaluation mechanism adopted by the Government to ensure effective implementation of the scheme and long-term success of the startups?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

- (a) to (e) The  Cabinet  has  approved  the Pradhan  Mantri  Skilling and  Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM SETU) scheme to enhance the overall quality and relevance of vocational training in the country.

The key objectives of the scheme are:

- i.           To  improve  the  quality  of  training  delivery  in  Industrial  Training  Institutes  (ITIs)  and NSTIs;
- ii.          To modernize infrastructure and equipment as per industry standards;
- iii.         To introduce industry-aligned long-term and short-term courses, especially in new and emerging sectors;
- iv.         To  strengthen  industry  linkage  for  demand-driven  skilling  and  better  employment outcomes; and
- v.          To  enhance  the  capacity  of  National  Skill  Training  Institutes  (NSTIs)  for  training  of trainers.

The scheme comprises of two components:

- i.           Component I -Upgradation of 1,000 Government ITIs (200 Hub ITIs and 800 Spoke ITIs) in a Hub and Spoke model wherein upgradation includes smart classrooms, modern labs, digital content, and new courses aligned to industry needs.

ii.          Component II -Capacity Augmentation of five NSTIs located in Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Hyderabad,  Kanpur,  and  Ludhiana,  including  setting-up  sector-specific  National  Centres  of Excellence for skilling, with focus on advanced training of trainers with global partnership.

PM-SETU focuses on improving employability outcomes through industry-led governance, and indirectly  supports  self-employment  and  entrepreneurship  by  enabling  learners  to  acquire industry-relevant skills, gain exposure to real work environments, and access career guidance, placement support, and self-employment support through strengthened institutional systems and industry linkages. However, a mandatory 120 hours of Employability Skills training (for oneyear courses) has been included in the syllabus for all ITI trainees, which covers modules on entrepreneurship, financial literacy and digital literacy, thereby supporting trainees, including rural women, in exploring self-employment opportunities.

The  industry-led  Special  Purpose  Vehicles  (SPVs)  under  the  Scheme  would  lead  the upgradation  and  be  empowered  to  propose  necessary  interventions  relating  to  curriculum redesign, training delivery models, infrastructure upgradation, industry exposure, and placement  or  self-employment  facilitation,  in  alignment  with  local  industry  needs  and  the Scheme guidelines.

Implementation  of  the  scheme  will  be  overseen  by  a  National  Steering  Committee  (NSC) comprising  representatives  of  the  Central  Government,  State  Governments  and  industry partners,  which  will  provide  overall  policy  guidance.  In  addition,  State  Steering  Committees (SSCs) chaired by the Chief Secretary of the respective State/UT will monitor progress at the State level. The scheme also provides for periodic monitoring, performance reviews, and thirdparty  impact  assessment  to  ensure  effective  implementation  and  achievement  of  intended outcomes.

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