Two Day Seminar on Empowering Rural India

Two Day Seminar on Empowering Rural India; Women-Led MSMEs as catalysts of Digital Transformation and Economic Resilience

Organizer: UG DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (CA), INFORMATION TECHNOLOGISTS AND LEADERS IN COMMERCE-COMPUTER APPLICATIONS - Sponsored by INDIAN COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH, SOUTHERN REGIONAL CENTRE, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, HYDERABAD, TELANGANA-500007

About the Seminar

• When: 03 & 04.12.2026
• Venue: Prof. M. Alkondan Hall
• Call for Papers
• Last Date for Full Paper Submission & Registration: 25.11.2026

Rural India today stands at a pivotal moment in its socio-economic trajectory. With the rapid penetration of digital infrastructure, expanding financial inclusion, government impetus through schemes like PMEGP, MUDRA, PMFME, Stand-Up India, and the Digital India Mission, the entrepreneurial landscape in rural regions is undergoing significant transformation. Among the most dynamic drivers of this change are women-led Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that have emerged as engines of livelihood generation, innovation, and inclusive growth. Women entrepreneurs are enabling rural households and communities to transition from subsistence-based livelihoods to sustainable enterprise models while simultaneously integrating local economies into broader digital ecosystems.

Despite their potential, women-led rural MSMEs confront persistent challenges in access to finance, technology adoption, market linkages, supply chain integration, digital skills, and socio-cultural barriers. COVID-19 further highlighted both the vulnerabilities and resilience of rural women entrepreneurs, many adopted digital payments, online marketing, and home-based production models to sustain their enterprises. The seminar, therefore, seeks to examine the multi-dimensional role of women-led MSMEs in accelerating digital transformation and enhancing economic resilience in rural India.

In the context of India's vision for Viksit Bharat @ 2047, women-led MSMEs occupy strategic significance. Their contribution is not only economic but also social empowering women financially enhances household welfare, education outcomes, health decisions, and community leadership. Strengthening this sector thus aligns with national priorities of gender equality, inclusive development, digital India, and rural transformation.

This seminar aims to bring together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, NGOs, financial institutions, and entrepreneurs to deliberate on the evolving ecosystem, identify gaps, share best practices, and propose evidence-based policy recommendations that can foster a more vibrant and digitally empowered women-led MSME sector in rural India.

Objectives of the Seminar

1. To analyse the role of women-led MSMEs in driving digital transformation in rural India.

2. To assess the economic, social, and technological challenges faced by rural women entrepreneurs.

3. To examine the impact of digital platforms, fintech, and e-commerce on business growth and resilience of women-led enterprises.

4. To identify best practices, innovative business models, and successful interventions supporting women-led rural MSMEs.

5. To propose policy recommendations that strengthen digital empowerment, financial inclusion, and market integration for women entrepreneurs.

6. To facilitate dialogue among stakeholders to promote collaborative solutions for sustainable rural entrepreneurship.

Main Themes of the Seminar

• Digital Transformation of Rural Enterprises
• Women's Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment
• Financial Inclusion and Access to Credit for Women-Led MSMEs
• Technology Adoption, Innovation, and Digital Skills
• Market Linkages, E-commerce, and Social Commerce
• Sustainable Development, Livelihood Generation, and Community Impact
• Policy Ecosystem, Institutional Support, and Capacity-Building

Sub-Themes of the Seminar

• Digital literacy programs and capacity-building for rural women entrepreneurs.
• Role of fintech, digital payments, and UPI in supporting women-led MSMEs.
• Impact of e-commerce platforms, ONDC, and digital marketplaces on rural product visibility.
• Challenges in accessing formal credit: banks, NBFCs, SHGs, and microfinance perspectives.
• Gendered barriers-social norms, mobility restrictions, and caregiving responsibilities.
• Innovations in supply chain management and logistics for rural enterprises.
• Case studies on successful women-led MSMEs and grassroots entrepreneurship models.
• Role of NGOs, SHGs, and community-based organisations in strengthening entrepreneurship.
• Sustainable business models, green entrepreneurship, and climate-resilient MSMEs.
• Digital branding, online marketing strategies, and social media-based entrepreneurship.
• Skill development, vocational training, and entrepreneurship education.
• Post-COVID resilience strategies adopted by rural women entrepreneurs.

Guidelines for Paper Presentation

• Maximum of two authors are permitted for each paper.
• Each author must register separately and pay the applicable registration fee individually.
• The paper should be original and unpublished.
• The abstract should be 200–300 words with 3–5 keywords.
• The full paper should preferably be 2,500 to 3,500 words.
• The paper should be submitted in MS Word format with proper formatting.
• APA 7th Edition should be followed for citations and references.
• Papers should be relevant to the seminar theme or sub-themes.
• Submitted papers will be subjected to plagiarism/similarity checking and academic review.
• Selected papers may be considered for publication in the ISBN-edited book, subject to the editorial committee's decision.

Full Paper Submission through Google Form

Important Dates

• Last date for Full Paper Submission and Registration: 25.11.2026
• Date of Seminar: 03 & 04.12.2026

Registration Fees - Participation and Presentation

• Students: Rs. 150
• Research Scholars: Rs. 250
• Academicians / Delegates from Industry: Rs. 350

Mode of Payments : IMPS, NEFT, RTGS

Account Holder: Indira Priyadharshini B

Account No.: 17010100003217

IFSC No.: IOBA0001701

Name of the Branch: NGM College Branch, Pollachi

Regards,

Dr. P. Archanaa, Organising Secretary, Head and Assistant Professor, UG Department of Commerce (CA), NGM College, Pollachi, Tamil Nadu

Dr. B. Indira Priyadharshini, Seminar Convenor, Assistant Professor, UG Department of Commerce (CA), NGM College, Pollachi, Tamil Nadu

Email: ngmcomcaicssr2026@gmail.com

Mobile: +91 98422 33445, +91 97897 88990

Dr.P. Archanaa: 97883 29976

Dr. B. Indira Priyadharshini: 7402471598