2025, VOL. 11 ISSUE 3, PART C
Abstract:Entrepreneurship among women has become a pivotal aspect of inclusive development in India. Self-Help Groups (SHGs), particularly those promoted by government agencies, have provided women with an avenue to access financial resources, build enterprises, and enhance livelihood opportunities. This study examines the entrepreneurial profile of women entrepreneurs from government supported SHGs in Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan. A purposive sample of 60 respondents was surveyed using a structured interview schedule. Results reveal that most enterprises owned by SHG women remain micro in scale, and dependent on local resources. While a majority of women accessed credit through banks (65%), reliance on informal borrowing persisted. Handicrafts (46.7%) and farming (26.7%) were the dominant enterprise types, yet incomes remained modest, with two-thirds earning less than ₹25,000 annually due to lack of capital and highly restricted Market access with 73.3 percent lacking any structured linkages beyond local markets. Findings underscore the initial stage of entrepreneurial development among SHG women, shaped by resource limitations but offering potential for growth if institutional and market support is strengthened.