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VOL. 12, ISSUE 3 (2026)
An inter-state comparative analysis of women’s entrepreneurship and access to finance in North-East India
Authors
Dr. James Dev Verma
Abstract
Women’s entrepreneurship contributes to
employment, livelihoods and local economic development, but its scale and
characteristics vary across states. This study examines inter-state differences
in women’s entrepreneurship and access to institutional enterprise finance in
the eight North-Eastern states of India. Using recent state-level secondary
data, the study compares women-owned micro, small and medium enterprises
(MSMEs), informal micro enterprises (IMEs), employment, investment, net
turnover and participation in the Stand Up India scheme. A descriptive
cross-sectional approach is employed, using seven derived indicators to assess
enterprise structure, economic contribution and financing intensity. The
results show that micro enterprises account for 99.38% of women-owned MSMEs in
the region. Assam records the largest enterprise base and the highest aggregate
employment, investment and turnover, while Tripura has the largest number of
women-owned IMEs and the highest employment per MSME. Arunachal Pradesh records
the highest investment and turnover per MSME. Women account for 58.69% of Stand
Up India accounts and 57.90% of sanctioned finance, with considerable
inter-state variation in average sanctions. The findings indicate that
enterprise scale, economic contribution and institutional finance do not follow
a common state-wise pattern, highlighting the need for differentiated
approaches to women’s enterprise development and finance.
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Pages:423-430
How to cite this article:
Dr. James Dev Verma "An inter-state comparative analysis of women’s entrepreneurship and access to finance in North-East India". International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, Vol 12, Issue 3, 2026, Pages 423-430
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