Evaluating the Effectiveness of Government Schemes in Promoting Women Entrepreneurship in India: Evidence from Startup India, Stand-Up India, and Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana

Authors

  • Shweta Mehra Independent Researcher Delhi, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69968/ijisem.2026v5i3192-209

Keywords:

Women entrepreneurship, Startup India, Stand-Up India, Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana, Financial accessibility

Abstract

Women entrepreneurship in India is very significant in promoting inclusive economic growth and sustainable development. The object of the present study was to have understanding about the effect of three Government of India Initiatives namely Startup India, Stand-Up India and Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) on Women entrepreneurship development. A conceptual framework was proposed that was integrated with financial accessibility, institutional support quality and digital and skill readiness as mediator variables and education, rural/urban location, family support and prior business experience as moderator variables. The survey design adopted was quantitative, cross sectional study and 400 women entrepreneurs were surveyed using structured questionnaire. The data were analysed by descriptive statistics and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The findings indicated that among the four factors government schemes, digital and skill readiness have been confirmed as the very top, followed by financial accessibility and then the quality of the institution have played significant role in development of women entrepreneurship. The moderating variables also impacted the effectiveness of the government interventions. The study not only has unique contributions to entrepreneurship literature with significant theoretical approaches as brought together and also impact to policy formulation for enhancing financial inclusion, institutional facilitation, digital capacity enhancement but also strength of rural entrepreneurship support. The results have important policy implications for the policymakers, financial institutions and entrepreneurship promotion agencies to foster sustainable women’s entrepreneurship in India.

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30-07-2026

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How to Cite

[1]
Shweta Mehra 2026. Evaluating the Effectiveness of Government Schemes in Promoting Women Entrepreneurship in India: Evidence from Startup India, Stand-Up India, and Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana. International Journal of Innovations in Science, Engineering And Management. 5, 3 (Jul. 2026), 192–209. DOI:https://doi.org/10.69968/ijisem.2026v5i3192-209.