Volume : 11, Issue : 9, SEP 2025

A REVIEW OF ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS (EDPS) IN INDIA

DR. ALI ASGAR JOON, LAKSHYA MANDLIYA

Abstract

Entrepreneurship in India has never been a straightforward story—it’s more like a messy but fascinating patchwork quilt stitched together by tradition, necessity, and a surge of policy-driven programs. Entrepreneurial Development Programs (EDPs), which became particularly visible after the 1970s, were designed with the idea that entrepreneurs could be “created” through systematic training and support rather than being born with innate traits. Over the years, these programs have taken different forms: from village-level training initiatives to large-scale government-backed incubation schemes. The intention was to foster small and medium enterprises (SMEs), create employment, and accelerate balanced regional development.

The literature, however, paints a somewhat complicated picture. While some studies highlight the success of EDPs in nurturing first-generation entrepreneurs and promoting inclusivity—especially for women and rural participants—others point to gaps in follow-up, funding linkages, and measurable long-term impact. For example, research by Dr. Mohammed Abid and Meghwal (2025) emphasizes how entrepreneurship has evolved with technology and globalization, but traditional EDPs often lag in incorporating these modern demands. Similarly, studies on organizational management and consumer behavior (Chaplot, 2018; Ahmed & Mehta, 2023) indirectly remind us that the entrepreneurial ecosystem cannot function in isolation; it is deeply embedded in how consumers respond to innovation, how businesses adapt to change, and even how economies react during recessions (Choudhary & Madhwani, 2013).

This review draws on both classic EDP studies and adjacent fields of research—management, consumer behavior, financial resilience, and human capital accounting—to offer a more nuanced understanding of where EDPs in India stand today. The paper suggests that while the programs have had undeniable contributions, especially in generating employment and encouraging self-reliance, their effectiveness could be substantially improved with better measurement systems, stronger integration with capital markets, and adaptive training that reflects digital realities. In short, India has laid down a foundation, but the scaffolding still needs serious work.

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IESRJ

International Educational Scientific Research Journal

E-ISSN: 2455-295X

International Indexed Journal | Multi-Disciplinary Refereed Research Journal

ISSN: 2455-295X

Peer-Reviewed Journal - Equivalent to UGC Approved Journal

Peer-Reviewed Journal

Article No : 13

Number of Downloads : 255

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