Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme Overview
The Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP), launched in 2016 as a sub-scheme of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), supports non-farm enterprises through training, finance, mentoring, and community-led institutional support. By June 30, 2026, SVEP had supported 4.32 lakh rural enterprises across the country with a strong focus on social inclusion and equitable access to entrepreneurship opportunities.
Programme Implementation and Funding
SVEP is implemented through State Rural Livelihoods Missions (SRLMs) with a provision of ₹6.50 crore per block and an average investment of ₹27,083 per enterprise. The government has released a cumulative central share of ₹942.09 crore up to February 2026, which is nearly 738% higher than the cumulative ₹112.39 crore released between the programme's launch in 2016 and January 2018. Implementation occurs through Block Resource Centres–Enterprise Promotion (BRC-EPs) that coordinate programme activities, while trained Community Resource Persons–Enterprise Promotion (CRP-EPs) provide technical assistance. At least 90% of CRP-EPs are selected from SHG households, with women constituting a minimum of 60% of the cadre, and each CRP-EP supports up to 50 enterprises.
Beneficiary Profile and Inclusion Focus
The programme has achieved significant social inclusion with approximately 86% of entrepreneurs belonging to SC, ST, Minority, and OBC communities. SVEP mandates that at least 60% of beneficiaries are women while ensuring representation of persons with disabilities and marginalized communities. Entrepreneurs are identified by community institutions based on need, poverty status, and entrepreneurial potential, with beneficiaries receiving training, mentoring, and financial support after enterprise viability assessment. Final loan approval is provided by community-based organizations through the Community Enterprise Fund (CEF).
Programme Impact and Performance Metrics
According to a mid-term evaluation conducted by the Quality Council of India (QCI) for the Ministry of Rural Development, SVEP has demonstrated substantial positive outcomes: 99% of SVEP-supported enterprises were profitable, contributing 57% of total household income for beneficiaries. The average monthly enterprise revenue was approximately ₹39,000, with manufacturing enterprises recording the highest average revenue at ₹47,800 per month. Some 96% of entrepreneurs reported increased savings, and 75% of enterprises were owned or managed by women. The programme has facilitated access to banking linkages and convergence with government schemes like Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, enabling entrepreneurs to establish and grow enterprises while strengthening business management and sustainability.
Geographic Distribution and Success Stories
Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh have recorded the highest number of enterprises supported under the programme. The document highlights specific success stories including Ms. Bhagyashri Londhe from Maharashtra who began with a ₹45,000 Community Enterprise Fund loan and earned ₹5 lakh in revenue within ten days at Mahalaxmi Saras 2019-20, and Ms. Poonam from Uttar Pradesh who became a successful CRP-EP supporting nearly 40 enterprises after completing a 54-day training programme. These cases demonstrate how entrepreneurship, continuous learning, and institutional support can transform aspiring women into successful business leaders.
Monitoring and Institutional Framework
SVEP is monitored at the State and Central levels through quarterly reviews and periodic assessments, with a centralized MIS system for tracking enterprise performance, fund utilisation, and programme progress. The programme operates through Self Help Groups (SHGs) and their federations that help identify potential entrepreneurs, while community institutions facilitate enterprise establishment and provide handholding support, managing loans through the Community Enterprise Fund. Digital tools support business planning, loan appraisal, and enterprise tracking, creating an integrated mechanism for effective implementation and enterprise development.