- Entrepreneurship Development Programme for end-to-end support for
creation of rural enterprises.
- Digital-first, hybrid delivery model
- End-to-end credit facilitation framework
Mumbai: Fostering rural prosperity has always been at the heart of NABARD’s
vision and developmental mandate. On NABARD’s 45th Foundation Day, Gramodyam,
a transformative Entrepreneurship Development Programme designed to unlock the
entrepreneurial potential of rural India has been launched by Dr. Shaji K V,
Chairman, NABARD. This initiative is being implemented in collaboration with
the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the aegis of the
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), marking a
significant step towards building a vibrant ecosystem for rural
entrepreneurship. The initiative will be implemented through Institute for
Industrial Development (IID).
Gramodyam is dedicated to the youth of rural India. The programme seeks
to identify, nurture, mentor and empower aspiring entrepreneurs by equipping
them with industry-relevant skills, entrepreneurial competencies and access to
essential support systems. By enabling young innovators to convert ideas into
viable enterprises, Gramodyam aims to transform local opportunities into
engines of sustainable economic growth and employment generation.
The programme adopts a digital-first, hybrid delivery model to
ensure equitable outreach across all States and Union Territories. Through a
combination of digital platforms, social media engagement, community outreach
and on-ground mobilization, aspiring entrepreneurs will be enrolled and guided
through a structured entrepreneurial journey. This journey will include
psychometric assessments, counselling, Entrepreneurship Development training, industry/
trade specific training, mentoring and enterprise establishment support,
ensuring that participants receive comprehensive guidance from ideation to
enterprise creation.
Going beyond conventional skill development, Gramodyam offers an
integrated support framework encompassing business opportunity identification,
business planning, enterprise management training, credit facilitation, market
linkages, mentorship and post-establishment handholding. The programme is
designed not only to create self-employment opportunities but also to catalyse
local job creation and community development through sustainable enterprise
growth, contributing to inclusive and resilient rural economic growth.
All beneficiaries enrolled under the programme will undergo e-KYC
verification through NSDC, ensuring transparency and authenticity of
participation. During the pilot phase, Gramodyam aims to support the creation
of approximately 4,000 rural entrepreneurs over a period of three years
through a scalable and organic delivery mechanism.
A key feature of Gramodyam is its end-to-end credit facilitation
framework. Participants will receive expert support in preparing bankable
Detailed Project Reports, establishing linkages with NABARD-supported Regional
Rural Banks, and other financial institutions for credit support. The programme
will provide digital loan application assistance and guidance on relevant
government schemes and incentives, thereby improving access to formal finance
and reducing barriers to enterprise creation.
The programme delivery architecture will be integrated with the digital
platform of NSDC, enabling real-time monitoring and tracking of participant
progress across every stage—from mobilization and training to enterprise
establishment and growth. A comprehensive impact assessment framework will
monitor key performance indicators such as candidate mobilization, gender
inclusivity, training completion rates, certification outcomes, GST and UDYAM
registrations, enterprise operationalization, and average sales performance
based on verified business records.
Through Gramodyam, NABARD and NSDC reaffirm their commitment to
fostering entrepreneurship-led rural transformation. By combining skill
development, mentorship, digital innovation, financial access and market
connectivity, the programme seeks to create a new generation of rural
entrepreneurs who will drive inclusive growth, strengthen local economies and
contribute meaningfully to India’s journey towards prosperity and self-reliance
contributing
Hon’ble PM’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit
Bharat 2047.