Two Day National Seminar on “Empowering Tribal Communities through Entrepreneurship: Opportunities, Challenges, and Sustainable Development” (ETCE-OCSD-2026)

Conference Start Date: 9 March 2026

Conference End Date: 10 March 2026

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Entrepreneurship plays a crucial role in fostering inclusive and sustainable growth, especially in areas rich in human and natural resources, such as tribal regions. In India, the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector accounts for nearly 30% of the GDP and provides jobs to over 111 million individuals, highlighting the significance of entrepreneurship in rural and marginalized economies. According to the 2011 Census, the Scheduled Tribe (ST) population in India is 10.45 crore (8.6%), while the Telangana region has an estimated 32 lakh tribal population (9.3%), primarily located in the districts of Adilabad, Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Bhadradri Kothagudem, and Khammam. Bhadradri Kothagudem District alone is home to approximately 4.9 lakh tribal people (about 37% of its population), mainly from the Koya, Lambada, and GuttiKoya communities, who possess valuable indigenous knowledge and traditional skills. Despite these advantages, tribal entrepreneurs face obstacles such as limited access to credit, digital technology, and market connections. Overcoming these challenges necessitates coordinated efforts across education, policy, and enterprise ecosystems. The seminar will convene academicians, policymakers, researchers, NGOs, and entrepreneurs to discuss strategies aligned with India’s Vision 2047 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 1, 5, 8, and 10), paving the way for a more equitable and self-reliant India.

Objectives of the Seminar
1. To assess the current status and scope of tribal entrepreneurship in India and Telangana.
2. To identify the socio-economic and institutional challenges faced by tribal entrepreneurs.
3. To explore sustainable and innovative models for promoting tribal enterprise.
4. To highlight the role of education, digital transformation, and financial inclusion in tribal empowerment.
5. To provide a common platform for dialogue among academicians, policymakers, NGOs, and practitioners.
6. To formulate actionable policy recommendations for inclusive and sustainable tribal development.

Papers will be available on this page after a few days of completion of the conference. The papers may be under review process.