PMEGP and Viksit Bharat 2047: Employment and Equity Analysis

Abstract India’s aspiration to become a developed nation by 2047 under the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 emphasizes employment-intensive growth and social inclusion. The Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), a credit-linked subsidy scheme implemented through the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), aims to promote self-employment through micro-enterprise creation. This paper examines the employment and equity outcomes of PMEGP using secondary data from Ministry of MSME Annual Reports, PMEGP portal statistics, and labour market data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS). Trend analysis and percentage distribution methods are employed for the period 2014–15 to 2022–23. Findings indicate a growth trajectory in employment generation and improved participation of women and socially disadvantaged categories. However, challenges remain in sustainability measurement and productivity enhancement. The study concludes that PMEGP contributes meaningfully to employment expansion and inclusive entrepreneurship but requires institutional strengthening to align fully with the transformative goals of Viksit Bharat 2047.