Over the past four years, India has witnessed a remarkable surge in women-led enterprises, with more than 2.2 crore women-owned Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) registering under government initiatives. This growth stems from the revised MSME definition introduced on July 1, 2020. By November 30, 2024, a total of 2,20,73,675 women-owned MSMEs had been registered on the Udyam Registration Portal (URP) and Udyam Assist Platform (UAP).
In regions like Rajasthan’s Tonk and Sawai Madhopur districts, 7,803 women-led MSMEs now comprise 13% of all enterprises, while Gujarat’s Valsad district reports 11,942 such units, making up 18.24% of the total. These numbers reflect a growing trend of women entrepreneurs actively contributing to the Indian economy.
The government has implemented numerous measures to encourage women’s participation. Special registration drives have formalized women-led enterprises, while amendments to the 2018 Public Procurement Policy mandate that 3% of annual purchases by Central Ministries and PSUs come from women entrepreneurs, expanding market access.
Financial schemes such as the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) provide women-led businesses a 10% concession on guarantee fees and 90% coverage compared to 75% for others. The Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) offers credit-linked subsidies, with women entrepreneurs receiving 25% in urban areas and 35% in rural areas, higher than the general rates.
Skill development programs like the ‘Skill Upgradation and Mahila Coir Yojana’ equip women artisans with valuable training, while the Procurement and Marketing Support Scheme fully subsidizes women’s participation in trade fairs. The ‘Yashasvini Campaign,’ launched in June 2024, further supports women entrepreneurs with resources for formalization, credit, capacity building, and mentorship.
