Wednesday, February 26, 2025

SWAYATT Initiative: Empowering Startups, Women and Youth on GeM

 

SWAYATT Initiative: Empowering Startups, Women, and Youth on GeM


Introduction

The SWAYATT initiative on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has successfully completed six years, significantly empowering startups, women entrepreneurs, and youth in public procurement. Launched in 2019, this initiative has transformed India's digital procurement ecosystem, fostering economic growth and inclusivity.

What is the SWAYATT Initiative?

Full Form:

SWAYATT stands for Startups, Women & Youth Advantage Through e-Transactions.

Launched On:

  • 19th February 2019

Ministry:

  • Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India

Platform:

  • Integrated with the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), India's national public procurement portal.

Objectives of the SWAYATT Initiative

1. Promote Inclusion in Public Procurement

  • Encourage women entrepreneurs, startups, and youth to actively participate in government tenders.

  • Ensure better representation of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

2. Empower Marginalized Groups

  • Provide economic opportunities to backward sections of society.

  • Reduce dependence on intermediaries by offering direct market access.

3. Strengthen Market Access

  • Facilitate ease of doing business by simplifying procurement processes.

  • Enable digital transactions to improve transparency and efficiency.

4. Boost Economic Growth

  • Encourage local entrepreneurship, thereby increasing employment opportunities.

  • Strengthen 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' by boosting local supply chains.

Key Features of SWAYATT Initiative

1. Dedicated Storefronts

  • Startup Runway: A special marketplace for startups to showcase and sell their products.

  • Womaniya: A platform designed to promote women-led enterprises.

2. Capacity Building & Training

  • Skill development programs for last-mile sellers.

  • Workshops and awareness campaigns for women entrepreneurs.

3. Partnerships & Collaborations

  • MoU with FICCI-FLO: Strengthening advocacy and training for 9,500+ women entrepreneurs.

  • Udyam-Verified Sellers: More than 1,77,786 women-led MSEs are registered on GeM.

4. Expanding Startup Ecosystem

  • Over 29,000+ startups supported under the initiative.

  • Cumulative orders worth ₹35,950 crore allocated to startups.

Impact of SWAYATT Initiative

1. Increased Participation of Women Entrepreneurs

  • Women entrepreneurs now constitute 8% of all sellers on GeM.

  • Orders worth ₹46,615 crore fulfilled by women-led MSEs.

2. Startup & Youth Empowerment

  • Increased representation of youth-led enterprises in government procurement.

  • Government projects offering greater opportunities to tech-driven and innovative startups.

3. Transparent & Efficient Procurement System

  • Reduced corruption and middlemen intervention.

  • Faster and more efficient public procurement process.

Challenges Faced by the Initiative

1. Digital Literacy Gap

  • Many MSEs and SHGs lack digital literacy, limiting their participation.

2. Market Awareness & Reach

  • Low awareness about GeM and SWAYATT among rural entrepreneurs.

3. Competitive Barriers for Startups

  • Startups struggle to compete with established businesses for large contracts.

4. Supply Chain & Logistics Constraints

  • Logistics and distribution issues create hurdles for small businesses.

Government Measures to Strengthen SWAYATT

1. Simplification of Procurement Norms

  • Relaxed eligibility criteria for startups and women entrepreneurs.

  • Faster onboarding and registration process on GeM.

2. Financial Support & Subsidies

  • Special financial schemes for women-led and youth-driven enterprises.

  • Reduced fees and easier loan availability under Mudra Yojana.

3. Awareness Campaigns

  • National and regional workshops to educate small businesses.

  • Digital marketing initiatives to promote GeM adoption.

4. Strengthening Digital Infrastructure

  • Expansion of GeM's digital framework to rural and semi-urban areas.

  • Integration of AI and data analytics for better seller-buyer matchmaking.

Way Forward

1. Scaling Awareness Programs

  • Government should conduct regular training sessions to educate potential sellers.

  • Social media and digital campaigns to promote SWAYATT and GeM.

2. Improving Logistics & Supply Chain

  • Collaboration with India Post and logistics providers to streamline delivery networks.

  • Special incentives for startups in rural and semi-urban areas.

3. Strengthening Financial Inclusion

  • Providing easy access to credit and subsidies for new entrants.

  • Encouraging women-led financial empowerment programs.

4. Expanding Global Market Access

  • Leveraging GeM for international trade partnerships.

  • Facilitating global exposure for Indian startups and MSMEs.

Conclusion

The SWAYATT initiative has played a crucial role in democratizing public procurement, providing opportunities for startups, women entrepreneurs, and youth. By integrating digital tools and expanding financial support, India can further enhance inclusive growth and economic self-reliance. Strengthening logistics, digital literacy, and market outreach will be essential for maximizing its potential.


MCQs for UPSC CSE on SWAYATT Initiative

1. What is the full form of SWAYATT?

a) Startup, Women & Youth Assistance for Trade and Transactions
b) Startups, Women & Youth Advantage Through e-Transactions
c) Small-Scale Women & Youth Transactions and Trade
d) Sustainable Women & Youth Empowerment Through Trade
Answer: b)

2. Which government platform is SWAYATT integrated with?

a) Digital India Marketplace
b) Bharat Procurement Portal
c) Government e-Marketplace (GeM)
d) Startup India Portal
Answer: c)

3. What is a key feature of the SWAYATT initiative?

a) Eliminating women entrepreneurs from government tenders
b) Encouraging private sector procurement over government contracts
c) Promoting startups, women entrepreneurs, and youth in public procurement
d) Banning small enterprises from government contracts
Answer: c)

4. When was SWAYATT launched?

a) 2018
b) 2019
c) 2020
d) 2021
Answer: b)


UPSC Mains Practice Question

"Discuss the role of the SWAYATT initiative in transforming India’s public procurement system. How can it be further strengthened to achieve inclusive economic growth?" (250 words)

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