Women Entrepreneurship in India: A Study of Niti Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform

Vadla Nagarathnamma

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i02.80942

Women Entrepreneurship in India: A Study of Niti Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform

Author(s)	Smt. Vadla Nagarathnamma
Country	India
Abstract	India ranks third in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP). In Nominal GDP, India is the world's fourth-largest economy, which recently surpassed Japan. India is one of the world's fastest-growing major economies with its GDP exceeding $4 trillion. India aiming to become a $5 trillion economy to clinch the third position by 2030. Government of India has taken many initiatives to support entrepreneurship in India like SEZ’s, MUDRA, MAHILA E-HAAT, Make in India, Start Up India, encouragement to Exports, etc. To achieve its goal of global super power, India needs to support its daughters to participate in the wealth creation. As of 2025, women account for only 11-14% of entrepreneurs in India. Roughly 22% of MSMEs in India are owned by Women. Social norms and stereotypes still discourage women from dreaming big. Business risks or leading firms are traditionally seen as a game of men. To Change this scenario, Government of India initiated, The Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) by NITI Aayog that connects women to mentors, incubators, and funding opportunities on a single digital platform. The idea to set up WEP, was made during the Global Entrepreneurship Summit, 2017 held in Hyderabad. Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) was officially launched by Amitabh Kant, then CEO of NITI Aayog on March 8th, 2018. The WEP is built on three pillars: Ichha Shakti, Gyaan Shakti, and Karma Shakti. The WEP Platform has expanded since its inception like WEP 3.0 and state chapters. It works on the lines of international models like WEI, YLEAP and She Worx, etc. This paper examines the status of Women Entrepreneurship in India and the impact of NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) in increasing the share of women entrepreneurs in India. If more women become entrepreneurs, they create more jobs and employ more women in their work places, so it will have a spillover effect on women workforce also.
Keywords	Women Empowerment, Entrepreneurship, Indian Economy, NITI Aayog, Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP), Make in India, Start Up India, Stand Up India, Fund of Fund.
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 2, March-April 2026
Published On	2026-03-30
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i02.80942

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Women Entrepreneurship in India: A Study of Niti Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform

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