Start-Up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP)
Source: PIB
GS II: Government Policies & Interventions, GS III: Inclusive Growth, Employment
Overview
- News in Brief
- About SVEP
- Key features
- Implementation Mechanism
- Achievements
Why in the News?
The Press Information Bureau (PIB) highlighted the achievements of the Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP) in promoting rural entrepreneurship.
News in Brief
- As of 30 June 2026, SVEP has supported 4.32 lakh rural enterprises across India.
- Promoted inclusive entrepreneurship with a strong focus on SC, ST, OBC, Minority communities and women.
- The programme is emerging as a key model for poverty reduction, employment generation and rural economic development.
About SVEP
- SVEP is a sub-scheme of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), launched in 2016.
- To promote non-farm enterprises through training, finance, mentoring, and community-led institutional support.
Key features
- It supports Self Help Groups (SHGs) and their family members in establishing small enterprises in the non-farm sector.
- It provides financial assistance through the Community Enterprise Fund (CEF)., institutional support, business management training, soft skill development, and business development services.
- Facilitates access to banking linkages and convergence with government schemes, like Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana.
- The strategic focus has been on achieving long-term economic growth and wider social benefits.
- A key feature of SVEP has been community-based decision-making for funding and supporting enterprises locally.
Implementation Mechanism
- Implemented through State Rural Livelihoods Missions (SRLMs).
- Block Resource Centres–Enterprise Promotion (BRC-EPs) coordinate implementation.
- Community Resource Persons–Enterprise Promotion (CRP-EPs) provide mentoring and technical support.
- SHGs identify entrepreneurs, while banks provide financial assistance.
Achievements
- Expanded rural entrepreneurship by supporting non-farm enterprises across the country.
- Around 86% of entrepreneurs belong to SC, ST, OBC and Minority communities, reflecting its inclusive approach.
- Strengthened the Self-Help Group (SHG) movement under DAY-NRLM to enhance rural livelihoods.
- Achieved wide implementation across several states, particularly in eastern and central India.
Impact
- Improved the profitability and sustainability of rural enterprises.
- Enhanced household incomes through enterprise-based livelihoods.
- Increased financial inclusion, savings and access to institutional credit.
- Promoted women-led entrepreneurship, livelihood security and socio-economic empowerment.
Significance of the Programme
- Promotes inclusive rural growth– It drives equitable economic development by uplifting remote and backward village economies.
- Encourages women-led entrepreneurship– A vast majority of supported small businesses are owned and run by women from self-help groups.
- Reduces dependence on agriculture– It creates alternative non-farm income streams outside traditional farming work.
- Generates local employment– It builds community-level jobs, which helps lower distress migration to crowded cities.
- Supports national visions– It directly promotes self-reliance goals under Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat.
Challenges
- Limited market access for rural enterprises.
- Difficulty in scaling businesses.
- Credit access remains uneven in some regions.
- Need for stronger digital and business management skills.
Conclusion
SVEP has demonstrated that it can transform rural entrepreneurship into a major driver of inclusive growth, employment generation and sustainable rural development.
Key Takeaways
UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question
With reference to the Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP), consider the following statements:
- It is a sub-scheme of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission.
- It promotes only agriculture-based enterprises.
- It supports entrepreneurs through training, finance and mentoring.
Select the correct answer:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Mains Practice Question
Q. “Discuss the role of entrepreneurship in promoting inclusive and sustainable rural development in India. Examine the challenges and suggest measures to strengthen the rural entrepreneurial ecosystem.” (15 Marks)
Daily Current Affairs: Click Here