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Abstract Women entrepreneurship has emerged as a key driver of economic growth, employment generation, and social transformation in rural India. Despite their growing contribution to household income and rural development, women entrepreneurs continue to face numerous socio-economic, cultural, financial, and technological barriers. This study examines the current status of rural women entrepreneurship in India, identifies the major challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, and evaluates the role of government support initiatives in promoting entrepreneurial development. The study adopts an exploratory and descriptive research design based on qualitative secondary data collected from research articles, government reports, policy documents, and published literature. The findings reveal that limited access to finance, inadequate education and skills, gender discrimination, poor infrastructure, digital illiteracy, and restricted market access remain significant obstacles to entrepreneurial growth among rural women. At the same time, government initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana, Stand-Up India Scheme, National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP), and Self-Help Group (SHG) programmes have played a vital role in enhancing financial inclusion, skill development, and business opportunities for women. The study concludes that strengthening awareness, improving access to credit and technology, simplifying administrative procedures, and expanding mentorship and training programmes are essential for fostering a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem. Promoting rural women entrepreneurship is crucial for achieving inclusive economic growth, gender equality, and sustainable rural development in India.