Context:
Swavalambani Programme launched at Meerut, taking a significant step towards strengthening women entrepreneurship in India.
Swavalambani:
- Objective – To equip women with entrepreneurial skills and mentorship to help them build and scale their ventures.
- Launched by – Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) & NITI Aayog
- Implementing Agency – National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD)
- Components –
- Entrepreneurship Awareness Programme (EAP) on business fundamentals.
- Women Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) – Forselected students, covering finance, market linkages, compliance, and legal aspects.
- 6-Month Mentorship Support: To guide participants in converting ideas into sustainable businesses.
- Faculty Development Programme (FDP) for educators to mentor future entrepreneurs.
- Award to Rewards Initiative – Recognition and incentives for successful women entrepreneurs.
- Aims for 10% of trained participants to establish enterprises, fostering women-led economic growth in India.
Note: The Swavalamban scheme, also known as the National Pension System (NPS) Swavalamban, is a pension scheme launched by the Government of India in 2010.
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
To obtain the full benefits of demographic dividend, what should India do?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2013 Prelims]
(a) Promoting skill development
(b) Introducing more social security schemes
(c) Reducing infant mortality rate
(d) Privatisation of higher education
Answer: (a)