35  MDI, The National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD)

The National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), established in 1983 under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, is a premier institution for entrepreneurship education, training, research, and consultancy.

NIESBUD has significantly contributed to building an entrepreneurial culture in India by training over 500,000 persons in India and abroad, conducting specialized programs, and creating linkages between entrepreneurs and supporting institutions.

Khanka (2020) highlights NIESBUD as a capacity-building institution, while Desai (2014) emphasizes its role in nurturing small business development through structured programs.

35.1 Objectives of NIESBUD

• To act as a national resource center for entrepreneurship training and research.
  
• To design and deliver Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (EDPs).
  
• To conduct Training of Trainers (ToT) programs to build a network of trainers.
  
• To provide consultancy services to entrepreneurs and institutions.
  
• To promote international cooperation in entrepreneurship education.

35.2 Major Activities

• Training Programmes: Conducts EDPs, management development, and skill-oriented training.
  
• Trainer Development: Organizes ToT programs for faculty, government officials, and NGOs.
  
• Research & Publications: Studies entrepreneurial ecosystems and publishes reports.
  
• International Programs: Provides training to participants from developing countries under ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation).
  
• Skill Development: Integrates entrepreneurship with Skill India Mission.
  
• Digital Training: Recently expanded into online modules for broader outreach.

35.3 Indian Perspective

• NIESBUD collaborates with state-level entrepreneurship institutes and industrial training institutes.
  
• Plays a key role in supporting Startup India, Stand-Up India, and PMEGP initiatives.
  
• Focuses on inclusive entrepreneurship by running specialized programs for women, SC/ST, and rural entrepreneurs.

Case: NIESBUD’s women-focused EDPs enhanced self-employment in rural Uttar Pradesh through training in tailoring, food processing, and handicrafts.

35.4 Global Perspective

• Provides international training under ITEC and SCAAP programs, hosting participants from Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
  
• Collaborates with organizations like ILO, UNDP, and Commonwealth Secretariat.
  
• Serves as a benchmark institution for entrepreneurship training in developing countries.

35.5 Achievements

• Trained over half a million entrepreneurs and trainers.
  
• Developed model curricula and training modules adopted by other institutions.
  
• Enhanced India’s global standing in entrepreneurship education.

35.6 Conceptual Diagram

graph LR
    A["NIESBUD"] --> B["Entrepreneurship Training"]
    A --> C["Trainer Development (ToT)"]
    A --> D["Research & Publications"]
    A --> E["International Cooperation"]
    A --> F["Skill Development & Digital Training"]

    %% Style
    classDef dark fill:#004E64,color:#ffffff,stroke:orange,stroke-width:3px,rx:10px,ry:10px;
    class A,B,C,D,E,F dark;

35.7 Challenges

• Limited reach in rural and remote areas.
  
• Dependence on government funding for program expansion.
  
• Need for curriculum modernization to match emerging sectors like AI, fintech, and green entrepreneurship.
  
• Follow-up support gap post-training.

35.8 Future Outlook

• Digital Expansion: Scaling through online platforms and MOOCs.
  
• Sector-Specific Focus: Specialized training in healthtech, agritech, and sustainability.
  
• International Collaborations: Deeper partnerships with global institutions.
  
• Innovation in Training: Incorporating simulations, gamification, and AI-based learning.

35.9 Summary

The National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) is India’s premier entrepreneurship training institution.
- Provides EDPs, ToT programs, research, consultancy, and international training.
- Strongly contributes to inclusive entrepreneurship by supporting women, SC/ST, and rural entrepreneurs.
- Acts as a national and global hub for entrepreneurship training and ecosystem development.

Strengthening NIESBUD’s digital, sectoral, and global linkages will further consolidate its role in advancing entrepreneurship in India and beyond.

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