The Uttar Pradesh government, in partnership with the Centre, has infused a significant financial boost of over Rs 18 crore into a key rural entrepreneurship scheme for the upcoming fiscal year. This fresh allocation aims to accelerate self-reliance and generate employment opportunities in the state's non-farm sector.
Financial Breakdown and Scheme Objectives
A total of Rs 18.29 crore has been earmarked for the Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP) for the 2025-26 financial year. Of this amount, the Central government has released Rs 10.97 crore, while the Yogi Adityanath-led state government has contributed the remaining Rs 7.31 crore. The funds are designated for the SVEP, which operates as a sub-scheme under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
The core mission of SVEP is to support members of Self Help Groups (SHGs) and their families in establishing small-scale enterprises in areas beyond agriculture. These projects are typically implemented at the block level and span a duration of four years. The scheme itself received approval back on May 6, 2015, with states invited to submit their Action Plans for implementation during 2015-16.
Impact and Leading Districts
The programme has already demonstrated substantial impact in mobilising women across Uttar Pradesh. Data indicates that it has contributed to the broader mobilisation of approximately 1.7 crore women, who are organised into about 16 lakh Self-Help Groups statewide. Certain districts have emerged as frontrunners in leveraging the benefits of this initiative.
Districts such as Jaunpur, Azamgarh, and Kaushambi have been highlighted as leaders within the state for effectively extending entrepreneurship benefits and facilitating loan distribution to rural aspirants.
Administration and Synergy with UP Start-up Policy
In an official communication, the UP government has directed the rural development commissioner that the allocated funds "may be used as required." The responsibility for verifying expenditure and issuing utility certificates upon completion of the programme will lie with the Rural Development Commissioner and the Director of the State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM).
A senior official from the rural development department noted that the SVEP efforts are being further strengthened by the UP Start-up Policy 2025. This broader policy has an ambitious goal of nurturing 10,000 startups across Uttar Pradesh, including those in rural and semi-urban areas. To enhance market access for rural enterprises, the state has also partnered with major e-commerce platforms like Flipkart to help SHGs sell their products.
This combined approach of targeted funding through SVEP and the overarching startup policy signifies a concerted push by the government to ignite an entrepreneurial spirit in the heart of rural Uttar Pradesh, aiming for sustainable economic development and job creation.
