Nearly 76,000 Indian startups are now led by women, many from tier 2 and 3 cities, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh announced. Highlighting Prime Minister Modi’s vision of women-led development, Singh outlined India’s structured approach to women empowerment across education, economy, governance, and legal reforms, fostering inclusive national progress.
India has witnessed a transformative shift in women’s participation in entrepreneurship, with nearly 76,000 startups now being led by women across the country, many of them from tier 2 and 3 cities, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh revealed on Saturday.
The minister made the announcement while addressing a conference, emphasizing that the empowerment of women and youth is central to India’s mission of becoming a developed nation by 2047, a goal laid out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the paradigm of “women-led development.”
Singh stressed that women have moved beyond being passive recipients of welfare to becoming institutional leaders, thanks to a series of targeted and systemic initiatives taken over the past 11 years under the leadership of PM Modi.
“Women-centric governance has not only empowered individuals, but reshaped society,” Singh told attendees at the event. “What began as targeted welfare has now evolved into institutional leadership and structural change.”
As part of the day’s initiatives, Dr Singh launched the Jeevika E-Learning Management System App, a digital platform designed to provide accessible learning opportunities for women across India. He also released a publication titled “Shashakt Mahila, Samriddh Bihar” (Empowered Women, Prosperous Bihar), which celebrates the critical contributions of women in Bihar’s social and economic development.
Four-Phased Framework for Women Empowerment
Dr Singh elaborated on the Modi government’s structured and comprehensive four-phase approach to women empowerment, touching on critical sectors such as education, technology, finance, social dignity, and legal rights.
1. Access and Inclusion in Institutions
The first phase brought a significant shift in education and institutional participation, with increased inclusion of women in both educational and military sectors. Initiatives encouraged girls to pursue higher education and professional training, enabling them to occupy key positions in civil and defence services.
2. Scientific and Technological Empowerment
The second phase involved empowering women through dedicated schemes in science and technology. These included:
-
WISE (Women in Science and Engineering)
-
GATI (Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions)
-
CURIE (Consolidation of University Research for Innovation and Excellence in Women Universities)
-
Women Scientist Programme
These programs aimed to bridge the gender gap in STEM fields and support women researchers and scientists in career development.
3. Economic and Social Empowerment
The third phase focused on financial inclusion and entrepreneurship. Dr Singh highlighted that:
-
48 crore Jan Dhan accounts have been opened in the names of women, improving their financial autonomy.
-
Over 60% of Mudra Yojana beneficiaries are women entrepreneurs, accessing credit for small businesses.
-
More than 3 crore ‘Lakhpati Didis’, rural women earning over ₹1 lakh annually, have emerged through Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
-
Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, many homes have been registered in women’s names, giving them ownership, dignity, and financial security.
4. Workplace Reforms and Legal Sensitivity
The final phase focused on creating a gender-sensitive legal and workplace environment, especially in government institutions. Key reforms include:
-
Six-month paid childcare leave for women in government service.
-
Extension of pension rights to unmarried or divorced dependent daughters.
-
Maternity leave even after stillbirths, reflecting a more humane and inclusive approach.
| Also Read: Lamjingba scam: ED returns ₹63.52 crore to 5000 investors |
Driving Development Through Inclusion
Dr Jitendra Singh concluded by stating that the role of women is not only integral to India’s present but also to its future as a global leader. He credited PM Modi’s inclusive governance model, which places youth, women, farmers, and the poor at the center of national policy.
“We are not just creating opportunities for women; we are reshaping India’s destiny through their leadership. Women from small towns are today running startups, leading innovations, and making policy impacts,” Singh said.
As India continues to break barriers and build inclusive systems, the rise of nearly 76,000 women-led startups symbolizes a new chapter in the country’s socio-economic transformation — one where women are not just part of the journey but are leading it.
