Skill Development

The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are one of the key pillars in Indian economy contributing 30% to GDP, 36% to manufacturing output and nearly 46% to total exports employing over 250 million people. However, 2022 statistics show that the sector is still largely reliant on fossil fuels — with a total emissions output of around 135 MtCO₂e/year. Green technologies — ranging from energy-efficient equipment and rooftop solar, to waste recycling systems and cleaner alternative fuels — not only save substantial costs (up to 30% in electricity bills) but also help meet India's national climate pledges of reaching net-zero by 2070 as well as a 45% reduction in carbon intensity over the decade (by 2030). However, even with federal stimulus schemes like the MSE-GIFT scheme, ZED certification, MSE-SPICE and the RAMP programme, uptake has remained dismally low across MSME. Major barriers include the high upfront capital cost, limited access to institutional finance, low levels of technical know-how among owner-managers, resistance to change within organisations and weak enforcement of regulations. The current paper performs an exploratory conceptual and thematic review of academic studies, which includes government reports and policy documents mapping the existing situation of green technology adoption among Indian MSMEs. Using the Technology Organisation Environment (TOE) framework and entrepreneurship skill development theory, it explores the main barriers and enablers of adoption alongside assessing their potential for scaling green transitions. The paper suggests that green entrepreneurship Modules should be incorporated into existing MSME Skill development programmes (through cluster-based ESCO models, awareness campaigns and enhanced concessional finance) to accelerate adoption. Findings that are of interest to policy makers, educators, financial institutions and to MSME owner–managers working to realise sustainable industrial transformation.

Entrepreneurship is growing at an accelerated pace and is viewed as a natural way to cater to the economy, create new jobs, and conceptualize new ideas to life. To help such kind of growth, successive central and state governments and many other private players have launched skill development programs that guide aspiring youth to learn how to begin entrepreneurial journey. These programs mostly focus on imparting technical skills, financial acumen, digital self-efficacy, and preparation of business plan. However, training focussing legal awareness is rarely provided. Most budding entrepreneurs begin their work without knowing the iota of basic laws that apply to business environment. This constraint of legal awareness can create serious problems, such as lacunae in business registration, unknowingly compromising tax and labour laws, facing contract issues, or losing their rights over their ideas due to weak protection of intellectual property. These challenges may affect their survival and hinder growth of the startups, even though if the business idea is unique. This paper aims to study that how the lack of legal awareness in skill development programs creates hindrance for budding entrepreneurs. It can provide insight that why legal awareness is just helpful and important for managing a progressive business. The paper highlights the gaps in current skilling programs and recommends ways to incorporate simplistic legal awareness into them. It further discusses how legal understanding can help budding entrepreneurs avoid common mistakes in conflict with law and build stronger, safer startups. Lastly, the paper concludes with suggestions for improving training systems by adding basic legal education and involving legal experts, educators, and policymakers into skill building programs. The aim is to support a startup culture in India that is not only smart and innovative but also legally compliant and prepared for long-term success.