The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) is pleased to introduce the Women Entrepreneurship Programme, a significant step toward empowering women entrepreneurs and promoting economic growth. This initiative strives to address the challenges that women experience in entrepreneurship by providing valuable skills, knowledge, and networking opportunities.
The programme has been launched with the introduction of complementary self-learning basic entrepreneurship courses available in multiple languages on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH). Upon completing these courses, participants will receive a co-branded certificate from NSDC, Britannia Industries, and the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), acknowledging their entrepreneurial skills and competencies.
This initiative aims to empower approximately 25 lakh women across India, providing them with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to start and grow successful businesses. It will culminate in a grand finale where the top 50 contestants present their business ideas to a distinguished jury. To further encourage innovation and excellence, Britannia Industries will award financial grants of 10 lakh rupees each to 10 of the most successful contestants.
Speaking at the launch of this initiative, Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, GOI, said:
It is our privilege that Britannia has partnered with us, focusing on women entrepreneurship. We have achieved significant progress in entrepreneurship through NIESBUD and special programmes with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ministry of Rural Development and other ministries. We are also collaborating closely with other corporations and government departments to provide skill training to women’s self-help groups, individually or collectively, and help organize them into various business entities. In the skilling segment, 82% of our trainees are women under Jan Shikshan Sansthan. In the PMKVY short-term training programme, nearly 45% of the participants are women.
The Indian government is dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs through opportunities for essential skills development, access to free self-learning courses, and comprehensive incubation support. This programme is designed to address the distinct challenges that women face when starting and growing businesses. In partnership with Britannia Industries Limited, the initiative will also offer financial grants and feature their products and services on the Skill India Digital Hub, reflecting a strong commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for women entrepreneurs.
Shri Ved Mani Tiwari, COO (Officiating CEO), NSDC & MD, NSDC International, stated:
Today, this program is about women-led entrepreneurship and aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision for women’s development. One of the most critical components of this is that private and public sector organizations are working together to encourage women to have entrepreneurial ambitions. From Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao to Lakhpati Didi, India has travelled a long way regarding women’s development.
This programme will be implemented in multiple phases to ensure comprehensive support and maximum impact, aligning with the government’s commitment to fostering women’s entrepreneurship.
NSDC, with the cooperation of the National Institute for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), will offer free online self-learning entrepreneurial courses through the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) in two phases. These courses, available in several languages, will cover significant topics such as entrepreneurship, business setting, finance fundamentals, digital skills, and market analysis.
NSDC extends robust incubation support to 10,000 shortlisted contestants across 100 business models in the next phase. This support encompasses business model selection, entrepreneurship development programmes, industrial workshops, business registration assistance, project report preparation, and guidance on funding through various government entrepreneurship and startup schemes. Participants’ products and services will be highlighted on SIDH’s e-commerce platform, UdhyamKart and Britannia’s digital ecosystem for women entrepreneurship.
NSDC will conduct periodic impact assessments to evaluate the success and sustainability of the supported businesses, ensuring the programme’s long-term effectiveness.
Shri Rajneet Singh Kohli, CEO and Executive Director, Britannia Industries, also expressed his thoughts on the collaborations:
Britannia Marie Gold’s vision is to help women entrepreneurs soar together to do more. Our MoU with the National Skill Development Corporation is a game-changer for women’s empowerment in India. By providing free courses and advanced training to millions of aspiring women entrepreneurs, we are not just opening doors but breaking down barriers. This partnership amplifies our commitment to creating a nurturing ecosystem where women can lead, innovate, and drive our economy forward. Together, we are empowering women to reach their full potential.
This initiative marks a significant effort to broaden the reach and visibility of women-led enterprises, creating a supportive ecosystem that empowers women entrepreneurs to realize their full potential. The collaborative effort highlights a shared commitment to cultivating an environment where women entrepreneurs can flourish and significantly contribute to India’s economic advancement.
