Content

1. PRASAD and SDS Schemes
2. Measures To Promote Women Entrepreneurs

PRASAD and SDS Schemes

India’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage forms a cornerstone of its tourism potential. To harness this, the Government has launched targeted schemes like PRASHAD and Swadesh Darshan to develop world-class infrastructure and enhance visitor experiences.

Relevance : GS 1(Culture ,Heritage ) , GS 3(Tourism )

PRASHAD Scheme (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive)

Objective

• Focuses on development of pilgrimage and heritage tourism infrastructure at identified religious sites across India.
• Promotes holistic spiritual tourism by improving visitor amenities and connectivity.

Key Statistics

• Launched in 2014-15 under the Ministry of Tourism.
• 54 projects sanctioned across 28 States/UTs.
• Projects like Varanasi, Dwarka, Amarkantak, Somnath, Kedarnath, Puri, and Mathura-Vrindavan are included.
• Many projects completed; several are ongoing with fund disbursements in phases.

Implementation & Issues

• Implemented by State/UT Governments.
• Common delays: tendering issues, weak local capacity, design delays, incomplete documentation.
• Ministry monitors progress and encourages time-bound completion.

Project Examples

• Completed: Dwarka (₹10.46 cr), Somnath (₹45.36 cr), Amarkantak (₹49.99 cr), Kedarnath (₹34.77 cr).
• Ongoing: Ambaji (Gujarat), Annavaram (AP), Simhachalam Temple (AP), Bhadrachalam (Telangana).
• Foreclosed: Puri (Odisha), Yamunotri-Gangotri (Uttarakhand) – despite partial physical completion.

Swadesh Darshan Scheme

SD 1.0 (2014-2022)

• Focused on thematic circuit-based tourism development.
• 76 projects sanctioned under 15 thematic circuits (Coastal, Desert, Tribal, Eco, Buddhist, Spiritual, etc.).
• Total outlay: ₹5,290.30 crore.

Thematic Circuits (Examples)

• Coastal Circuit: Goa, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, A&N Islands.
• Buddhist Circuit: Bihar, MP, UP, Gujarat.
• Eco Circuit: Kerala, Mizoram, Uttarakhand.
• Tribal Circuit: Chhattisgarh, Nagaland, Telangana.
• Heritage Circuit: Rajasthan, Puducherry, Punjab.

Notable Projects

• Ayodhya (UP): ₹127.21 cr – largest individual project.
• Tehri (Uttarakhand): ₹69.17 cr – adventure & eco-tourism.
• Kumbhalgarh Fort circuit (Rajasthan), Kurukshetra (Haryana) under Krishna Circuit.

Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD 2.0) – Launched 2022

Objective

• Shift from circuit-based to destination-based approach.
• Emphasizes sustainability, community involvement, and responsible tourism.
• Selection based on tourism potential, connectivity, sustainability, etc.

Key Stats

• 52 projects sanctioned.
• Total approved outlay: ₹2,108.87 crore (lower but more targeted than SD 1.0).
• Projects span across Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Goa, Bihar, Ladakh, Daman & Diu, Assam, Arunachal, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, etc.

Experience-Based Tourism (Examples)

• Bodh Gaya Meditation Centre (Bihar) – ₹165.44 cr.
• Bhoramdeo Corridor (Chhattisgarh) – ₹145.99 cr.
• Alappuzha Water Wonderland (Kerala) – ₹93.17 cr.
• Colva Beach, Porvorim Creek (Goa) – Eco & Coastal experiences.
• Mechuka Adventure & Cultural Park (Arunachal) – Adventure tourism in Northeast.

Other Complementary Schemes

1.Dekho Apna Desh (2020)

• Promotes domestic tourism awareness.
• Uses tools like webinars, quizzes, pledges, social media campaigns.

2.Capacity Building for Service Providers (CBSP)

• Focused on training, certification, and upskilling local tourism stakeholders.
• Targets tour operators, homestay owners, local artisans, etc.

Conclusion:

Together, PRASHAD and Swadesh Darshan aim to make India a globally competitive spiritual and heritage tourism destination. Their success hinges on sustainable execution, local participation, and timely project implementation.

Measures To Promote Women Entrepreneurs

Introduction

Women entrepreneurship is a powerful driver of inclusive economic growth, yet as of 2024, only about 20% of MSMEs in India were owned by women. Recognizing the potential of women-led enterprises in job creation and economic transformation, the Indian government has implemented a multi-pronged, scheme-driven approach to uplift and empower women entrepreneurs across sectors, geographies, and social strata.

Relevance : GS 3(Entrepreneurship ), GS 2(Gender Inclusivity)

Policy Measures and Institutional Support for Women-Led MSMEs

Udyam Registration & Udyam Assist Portal

• Launched: July 2020 (Udyam), January 2023 (UAP)
• Features:
  • Fully online, paperless self-declaration-based registration.
  • PAN/GSTN optional for registration via UAP.
  • Eligible for Priority Sector Lending (PSL) and Ministry scheme benefits.
  • Special drives to register women-owned MSMEs conducted.

Public Procurement Policy

• Mandate: 3% of annual procurement by CPSEs and Ministries must be from women-owned MSEs.
• Aims to create assured market linkages and boost demand for women-led enterprises.

Financial Incentives & Credit Support

Credit Guarantee Scheme for Women (since Dec 2022)

• Higher guarantee cover: Up to 90% (vs 75% for others).
• 10% concession in annual guarantee fees.
• Impact: Reduces risk for lenders; encourages credit flow to women entrepreneurs.

Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP)

• Women beneficiaries: 39% of total.
• Higher subsidy:
  • 35% for women vs 25% for general category.
• Supports non-farm micro-enterprise creation in rural and urban areas.

Capacity Building & Skill Development Initiatives

Skill Upgradation & Mahila Coir Yojana

• Targets women artisans in the coir sector.
• Aims at value addition, product diversification and enhanced employability.

Trade Fair Subsidies

• Women entrepreneurs get 100% subsidy for participation in trade fairs (vs 80% for others).
• Encourages exposure, B2B linkages, and market development.

Focused Interventions through MSDE, NIESBUD & IIE

PM Vishwakarma Yojana (2023)

• Supports traditional artisans & craftspeople, including women across 18 trades.
• Offers skill training, toolkit incentives, credit, and market linkages.

Yashasvini Campaign

• Nationwide awareness campaign targeting existing & aspiring women entrepreneurs.
• Focuses on handholding, mentoring, and linking to government schemes.

Special Interventions for Marginalized Women Entrepreneurs

PM JANMAN (March 2024) – Entrepreneurship for PVTGs

• Target group: Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.
• Trained so far: 37,161 beneficiaries, of which 31,560 are women (85%).
• Support includes skill-building and VDVK (Van Dhan Vikas Kendra) development in 18 states.

Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA)

• Focus: Capacity building of 1,000 VDVKs in 30 tribal districts.
• As of June 2025: 30 participants trained in ToT, including 15 women.

Youth & Student-Focused Interventions

Swavalambini Programme (Feb 2025)

• Launched in collaboration with NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform.
• Targets: Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh.
• Focus:
  • 1,200 female students: Entrepreneurship Awareness Training (EAP).
  • 600 students: Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP).
• Includes seed funding, mentoring, and recognition under “Awards to Rewards” initiative.

Institutional Development: EDCs and Incubation Centres (North East Focus)

Entrepreneurship Development Centres (EDCs) & Incubation Centres (ICs)

• Goal: Build entrepreneurial ecosystems in educational institutions of NE region.
• Status:
  • 30 EDCs and 4 ICs in 8 North Eastern states.
  • 600 mentors trained, 912 participants trained via EDP.
  • 600 of these were women (65%).
  • 100 ideas to be incubated, 900 to receive seed support.

Key Performance Highlights (Cumulative)

Challenges Persist

Despite proactive schemes, several structural barriers limit scale-up of women-led enterprises:

• Low financial literacy and creditworthiness.
• Social mobility restrictions in rural & tribal areas.
• Digital divide and lack of business formalization.
• Weak integration into global/domestic supply chains.

Recommendations

1. Digital Literacy + Mobile First Services for women entrepreneurs (especially rural).
2. Women-focused incubators & accelerators at the district level.
3. Gender-segregated MSME data to improve policy targeting.
4. Encourage private sector-NGO partnerships for mentoring & funding.
5. Expand procurement quotas and enforce existing 3% mandate strictly.

Conclusion

India’s multi-ministerial push — from skill-building to credit access — reflects a growing commitment to mainstreaming women-led entrepreneurship. With over 31,000 tribal women trained, 39% PMEGP participation, and initiatives like Swavalambini and PM Vishwakarma, the ecosystem is gradually evolving. However, sustained efforts in capacity-building, digital access, and market integration are essential to bridge the gender gap in entrepreneurship.