New Delhi, September 24, 2025: NITI Aayog’s Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Division organized a national seminar on the theme “Global Aspirations, Local Foundations: Scaling Women-Led Startups from Rural India” in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The seminar was led by Shri Rajeev Singh Thakur, Adviser, NITI Aayog (Additional Secretary, Government of India). Senior officials including Shri T.K. Anil Kumar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development; Shri Surender Mehra, Adviser (RD&PR), NITI Aayog; Ms. Mercy Epao, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises; and Shri Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, participated in the discussions.
The event brought together state-level officials, CEOs of State Rural Livelihood Missions, international representatives, policymakers, and industry leaders to deliberate on strategies for empowering women entrepreneurs in rural India.
Key points highlighted during the seminar included:
- Strengthening block-level support systems and improving enterprise readiness.
- Promoting female labour force participation and creating quality work opportunities.
- Enhancing access to gender-responsive financing.
- Leveraging digital platforms such as the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and e-commerce for sustainable market linkages.
- Expanding export potential through the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
- Fostering stronger convergence between ministries, states, and agencies for coordinated support.
States also shared innovative models and best practices for rural women entrepreneurship, showcasing scalable initiatives. The deliberations underscored that placing women at the forefront of rural enterprise growth is both an economic and social imperative for India’s inclusive development.
Source: Inputs from PIB release, NITI Aayog Instagram
