A total of 39,280 programmes were conducted, benefiting 18,25,181 participants across the country under the scheme of Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Programme (ESDP) during the period from FY 2021-22 to 2025-26 (as on 23.03.2026). The objective of the scheme is to motivate young people representing different sections of the society, including SC, ST and women, to consider self-employment or entrepreneurship as a career option.
The details of programmes conducted and persons benefitted during the last five years, year-wise and State-wise, is given at Annexure-I.
The ultimate objective is to promote new enterprises, build capacity of existing MSMEs and inculcate entrepreneurial culture. Funds allocated and expenditures incurred under the scheme during the last five years is as under:
| Financial Year | Fund allocated
(Rs. crore) |
Expenditures incurred
(Rs. crore) |
| 2021-22 | 2.00 | 1.50 |
| 2022-23 | 40.00 | 38.714 |
| 2023-24 | 65.00 | 62.84 |
| 2024-25 | 74.32 | 73.79 |
| 2025-26(As on 23.03.2026) | 95.70 | 89.83 |
| Total | 277.02 | 266.674 |
This information was given by the Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Sushri Shobha Karandlaje in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today
