Entrepreneurship Education in India: Barriers and Strategic Reforms for an Inclusive Innovation Ecosystem
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66635/pkwcaf03Keywords:
Entrepreneurship education, entrepreneurship training, skill development, policy implementation, digital entrepreneurship, industry-academic collaboration, digital innovationAbstract
Abstract
Entrepreneurship education is increasingly recognised as a critical driver of inclusive innovation, employability, and economic growth, particularly in emerging economies like India. This review investigates the systemic barriers, policy gaps, and strategic reforms necessary to improve the quality and effectiveness of entrepreneurship education in India. Drawing upon a comprehensive literature and policy review, the paper analyses how institutional capacity, curriculum relevance, socio-cultural constraints, regulatory hurdles, and limited resource accessibility hinder the translation of entrepreneurial policy initiatives into practice. Special attention is paid to the alignment between educational outcomes and labour market demands, the role of digital infrastructure, and the impact of cultural attitudes on entrepreneurial intent. The study highlights the limitations of existing policies, such as the Skill India Mission and NEP 2020, in achieving scalable and inclusive outcomes. It proposes a multi-pronged strategy focusing on curriculum reform, industry-academia collaboration, digital innovation, mentorship, and policy coordination. The findings can help educators, policymakers, and stakeholders to reposition entrepreneurship education as a transformative policy tool capable of addressing unemployment, fostering economic resilience, and enabling equitable development. By integrating pedagogical innovation with institutional and policy reforms, India can cultivate a robust, digitally enabled entrepreneurial ecosystem.
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