Policy to Practice: A Critical Evaluation of Government Schemes and Support Mechanisms for Women Entrepreneurs in Select Indian States.

This study critically evaluates the transition of central and state government schemes designed for women entrepreneurs from policy inception to practical implementation in two selected Indian states: Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Despite the proliferation of initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), Stand Up India (SUI), and state-specific programs (e.g., MAVIM in Maharashtra and Vazhndhu Kattuvom Thozhil Mayyam in Tamil Nadu), the female labour force participation rate (FLFPR) and the percentage of women-owned enterprises remain low. Using a mixed-methods approach grounded in secondary data analysis and field-level implementation reports, this research maps the policy landscape, assesses access to financial (credit) and non-financial (training, marketing) support, and identifies implementation bottlenecks. Findings reveal a significant disparity between policy intent and ground reality, attributed to systemic challenges such as low financial literacy, complex documentation, cultural biases at the institutional level, and a severe lack of non-financial handholding support post-loan disbursement. The study concludes that achieving equitable and sustainable women entrepreneurship requires moving beyond quantitative credit disbursement targets to adopting a holistic ecosystem approach focused on localized, demand-driven training, effective digital inclusion, and robust institutional accountability.