Entrepreneurship education drives innovation & success

India has over 1.59 lakh startups recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), making it the third-largest startup ecosystem globally. This surge has sparked interest among students to pursue entrepreneurship, with launching a venture or creating an app now seen as equally desirable as securing a traditional job. To sustain this momentum, schools and colleges must introduce entrepreneurship early in the academic journey. By incorporating it into the curriculum, students can gain not only valuable knowledge, but also essential life skills.

Entrepreneurship education plays an important role in shaping future generations by equipping students with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world. It fosters creativity, innovation, problem-solving and self-efficacy, ultimately contributing to individual growth and societal development. Entrepreneurship education helps students develop a range of skills and competencies that are valuable in both their personal and professional lives. It teaches them how to think creatively and critically, how to identify and solve problems, and how to take calculated risks.

India's startup ecosystem is driven by a growing number of youth-led innovations. India is known as the world’s youngest startup nation.

When students receive early exposure to entrepreneurship, they learn to spot inefficiencies and think of unconventional solutions. A strong foundation in entrepreneurship enables students to become resilient and adaptable, empowering them with the knowledge and skills needed to start and grow their own businesses.

A basic entrepreneurial skill-building programme can benefit students in multiple ways. It provides hands-on training in areas such as collaboration, team-building, effective presentation, data collection and analysis, and using social media as an advocacy tool. It also helps students tackle complex problems with no definitive answers. Through entrepreneurial courses, students have the opportunity to enhance their creativity. Such programmes encourage innovation and prepare students for real-world challenges while contributing to national development by creating job opportunities through new startups. Students can become job creators rather than job seekers, thereby reducing the pressure on traditional job markets.

By working on business plans, launching small projects or presenting ideas to mentors, students face challenges that teach them how to respond when things go wrong. If schools start entrepreneurship clubs, students can learn through case studies, role-playing, and group discussions that highlight both successes and failures. This approach helps students understand why some ideas fail and how to learn from those mistakes. It strengthens their emotional resilience and teaches them to see failure not as an end, but as a necessary step on the path to success.