Transdisciplinary Science: Mapping the Future of Research pp 94-106
Editors: Dr Mukul Kumar Baruah, Dr Rahul Kanti Nath & Dr Joyobrato Nath (2025)
ISBN: 97978-93-94174-62-7
doi : https://doi.org/10.20546/978-93-94174-62-7_8
Chapter 8
Economic Empowerment of Women through MSMEs: Exploring Entrepreneurship and Gender Dynamics in Northeast India (2018 to 2024)
Himadri Boruah*
Research Scholar, Department of Economics, Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, Arunachal University of Studies, Pin: 792103, Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh, India
Abstract
This study explores the rise of MSMEs (micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises) in India's North Eastern regions throughout 2018 and 2024. It focuses on gender differences in business ownership. The analysis uses growth rates, percentage distributions, and trend analysis to find out how MSMEs and female entrepreneurs are growing across the area. The results show a significant upward trend from 2018-19 to 2023-24. Overall, the budget allocation rose by 238%, going from 6,552.61 crores to 22,137.95 crores. Moreover, spending has often exceeded 100% in recent fiscal years. However, PMEGP-supported micro-enterprises in Northeast India fell dramatically by 47.6%, dropping from 9,263 projects in 2018/19 to 4,852 in 2023-25. This decline highlights serious implementation challenges despite the increased budget. On the other hand, women's entrepreneurship under PMEG shows strong resilience. From 2019-24, it supported 186,027 beneficiaries, despite pandemic setbacks, the CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) remained at 10.5%. This study shows that Northeast India can serve as a model of inclusive economic growth, with women entrepreneurs acting as change agents. This can be achieved through evidence-based, locally focused solutions to address immediate challenges and deeper inequalities.
Keywords
MSMEs, North Eastern States, Women Entrepreneurs, Economic Empowerment, Trend
Cite this Chapter: Himadri Boruah. 2025. Economic Empowerment of Women through MSMEs: Exploring Entrepreneurship and Gender Dynamics in Northeast India (2018 to 2024). In: Mukul Kumar Baruah, Rahul Kanti Nath and Joyobrato Nath (Eds.), Transdisciplinary Science: Mapping the Future of Research. Excellent Publishers, India. pp. 94-106. doi: https://doi.org/10.20546/978-93-94174-62-7_8
