Context:
Women Entrepreneurship Program launched by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)
Women Entrepreneurship Program:
- Aim – To empower 25 lakh women entrepreneurs with skill, knowledge, resources, and financial grants
- Components –
- NSDC, with National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), will offer free online self-learning entrepreneurship courses through Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH).
- NIESBUD and SIDH under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) are engaged in providing training and apprenticeship opportunities.
Other Initiatives for fostering Women Entrepreneurship:
- Mudra Loans – No collateral required by women for upto 10 lakh loans.
- Stand-Up India – Financing Women Entrepreneurs.
- Trade-Related Entrepreneurship Assistance and Development (TREAD) – Financing women through NGOs. Women Entrepreneurship Program by NITI Ayog
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements with reference to India:
1. According to the ‘Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act, 2006, the ‘medium enterprises’ are those with investments in plant and machinery between Rs. 15 crores and Rs. 25 crores.
2. All bank loans to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises qualify under the priority sector.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Medium Enterprise: An enterprise where the investment in plant and machinery or equipment does not exceed Rs. 50 crores, and turnover does not exceed Rs. 250 crores. Hence, Statement 1 is not correct.
The areas identified under Priority Sector Lending (PSL) in India by the Reserve Bank of India include agriculture, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), export credit, education, housing, social infrastructure, renewable energy, and weaker sections of society. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
