Published Paper Details:

The project focuses on micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs), examining their potential, significance, and the challenges they encounter. The Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector is vital to India's economy, comprising 29.8 million entrepreneurs and employing 69 million people. Of these, 2.2 million are women-led businesses (7.4%), and 15.4 million are in rural areas (51.8%). The sector contributes 45% of industrial output and 40% of exports, with an annual GDP growth rate of 11.5%, outpacing the overall GDP growth of 8%. However, 94% of MSMEs remain unregistered, and challenges like poor infrastructure, inadequate market linkages, and limited access to finance hinder growth. Financial institutions are cautious about lending to the sector due to perceived risks and lack of collateral. Despite these hurdles, the MSME sector is a key driver of socio-economic transformation, generating employment, reducing poverty, and curbing rural-urban migration. It fosters a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem and supports the use of indigenous technologies. It explores the support provided by the government to this sector, the perspectives of entrepreneurs regarding their experiences within it, and their aspirations--whether they intend to continue in this sector or transition to alternative professions.