ROLE OF GOVERNMENT SCHEMES IN PROMOTING WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN INDIA

Women entrepreneurship is significant in the socioeconomic development of India. Over the last decade, the Government of India has initiated various schemes, including MUDRA Yojana, Stand-Up India, Startup India, Skill India, and Mahila E-Haat, to encourage and support women entrepreneurs. Through these schemes, an attempt is being made to increase access to finance, skill development, and market linkages, particularly for women from rural, remote, or marginalised communities. The study utilises secondary data from the period of 2015 to 2025, extracted from government reports, national-level surveys, and policy-related documents, to analyse the effectiveness of the schemes. The findings state that there is growth in the number of women-led businesses through these programs; however, the challenges remain in terms of illiteracy about schemes, access to credit, digital literacy, and social barriers. The paper thus presents recommendations that will make these schemes more inclusive and impactful. This research necessitates better implementation and outreach so that government support reaches all aspiring women entrepreneurs across India. Keywords: Women Entrepreneurship, Government Schemes, MUDRA, Stand-Up India, Skill India, Msmes, India, Empowerment