Introduction:
Women entrepreneurship has emerged as a crucial driver of economic growth and social development in India. However, women-owned businesses still face several challenges, such as limited access to finance, technology, and markets. In this context, Udyam Registration, the new registration process for MSMEs, presents several opportunities and challenges for women entrepreneurs. This article examines the benefits and hurdles of Udyam Registration for women-owned businesses in India.
Opportunities of Udyam Registration for Women Entrepreneurs:
Udyam Registration offers several advantages to women-owned businesses. Firstly, it provides recognition and credibility to their enterprise, which can help in attracting investors, customers, and partners. Secondly, it enables them to access various government schemes and subsidies, such as Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) and Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP). Thirdly, Udyam Registration can help women entrepreneurs to participate in public procurement, which is a significant source of revenue for MSMEs. Fourthly, it can facilitate their access to credit from banks and financial institutions, which is a critical requirement for business growth.
Background and Context:
The growth of women entrepreneurship in India has been significant in recent years. According to a report by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, the number of women-owned businesses in India has increased from 14% in 2016 to 20% in 2021. However, women entrepreneurs still face several challenges, such as social norms, lack of access to resources and financing, and gender discrimination. To address these issues, the government of India has introduced several schemes and initiatives to promote women entrepreneurship, such as the Stand Up India scheme, Mudra Yojana, and now, Udyam Registration.
Benefits of Udyam Registration for Women Entrepreneurs:
Udyam Registration provides several benefits to women entrepreneurs. Firstly, it enables them to register their enterprise and obtain a unique identification number, which can help in accessing various government schemes and subsidies. For instance, the CGTMSE scheme provides collateral-free credit to MSMEs, including women-owned businesses, up to Rs. 2 crore. Similarly, the PMEGP scheme offers financial assistance to women entrepreneurs for
setting up micro-enterprises in the manufacturing and service sectors. Secondly, Udyam Registration enables women-owned businesses to participate in public procurement, which is a significant source of revenue for MSMEs. Thirdly, it provides recognition and credibility to their enterprise, which can help in attracting customers, investors, and partners. Lastly, it can facilitate their access to credit from banks and financial institutions, which is crucial for business growth and expansion.
Challenges of Udyam Registration for Women Entrepreneurs:
Despite the opportunities offered by Udyam Registration, women entrepreneurs face several challenges in the registration process. Firstly, they may lack awareness about the new registration process and the benefits associated with it. According to a report by the International Finance Corporation, only 13% of women-owned businesses in India are aware of the government schemes and initiatives for promoting entrepreneurship. Secondly, they may face difficulties in obtaining the necessary documents and fulfilling the eligibility criteria, such as turnover and investment limits. Thirdly, they may encounter technical issues while applying for registration online, such as slow internet speed, lack of access to computers and smartphones, and language barriers. Fourthly, they may face discrimination and biases from the authorities during the registration process, which can discourage them from pursuing entrepreneurship.
Impact of Udyam Registration on Women Entrepreneurs:
Udyam Registration has the potential to significantly impact women entrepreneurship in India. Firstly, it can help in bridging the gender gap in entrepreneurship by encouraging more women to start and grow their businesses. According to a report by the Confederation of Indian Industry, women-owned businesses have the potential to create 150-170 million jobs in India by 2030, contributing to 18-20% of the country’s GDP. Secondly, Udyam Registration can help in promoting women’s economic empowerment by providing them with access to finance, technology, and markets. This can, in turn, lead to better social outcomes, such as improved education, health, and gender equality.
Role of the Government in Promoting Women Entrepreneurship:
The government has a crucial role to play in promoting women entrepreneurship in India. Firstly, it should take measures to increase awareness about Udyam Registration among women entrepreneurs through targeted outreach programs, such as workshops, training sessions, and webinars. Secondly, it should simplify the registration process by reducing the documentation requirements and making the application process user-friendly. Thirdly, it should provide women entrepreneurs with access to finance through schemes such as the MUDRA Yojana and Stand Up India. Fourthly, it should encourage public procurement from women-owned businesses by mandating a certain percentage of procurement from women entrepreneurs. Lastly, it should address the issue of gender discrimination and biases by providing a supportive and enabling environment for women entrepreneurs.
Suggested Read- Udyam registration Benefits
Conclusion:
Udyam Registration offers significant opportunities for women entrepreneurs in India to grow and scale their businesses. However, the registration process must address the challenges faced by women-owned businesses to ensure that they can access the benefits of the scheme. The government should take measures to increase awareness about Udyam Registration among women entrepreneurs, simplify the registration process, and ensure that there is no discrimination or bias in the implementation of the scheme. Moreover, women entrepreneurs must be provided with access to finance, technology, and markets to enable them to leverage the opportunities offered by Udyam Registration fully. By promoting women entrepreneurship, India can achieve its vision of becoming a self-reliant and prosperous nation.
