In short: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) plans to add questions on the “gender-specific constraints faced by female entrepreneurs” to its next survey of small unincorporated businesses. It is inviting feedback on the draft questionnaire until 15 November 2026.
What is changing
MoSPI runs the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE). It covers the small, mostly unregistered businesses (proprietorships, home units, local shops and service providers) that employ a large share of India’s workforce. In a release on 26 October 2026, MoSPI proposed these changes for the 2027–28 round:
- Women entrepreneurs: new questions on the difficulties women face in running and managing a business. This is the first time the survey will measure this.
- Investment: a question that tracks investment in fixed assets over a longer period.
- Financial year: the reference period moves from January–December to April–March.
- Sector detail: questions on electricity sources, and on identifying handloom, power-loom and handicraft businesses.
Why it matters
Most women-owned businesses in India are small and unincorporated, so they fall squarely in this survey. Schemes, credit targets and budgets are designed around the numbers it produces. Until now it has not asked what makes running a business harder for women. Data on that can make it easier to argue for better-targeted support.
What you can do
If you run a business, or work with women founders, this consultation is a chance to suggest what should be asked. That could cover access to loans and collateral, time lost to care work, safety when travelling for work, getting into markets and exhibitions, or digital payments and online selling. MoSPI’s release on its website (mospi.gov.in) has the draft and how to send feedback. The deadline is 15 November.
Related: Government schemes for women entrepreneurs in 2026 · NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform
Sakhi Sangini News Desk · 31 October 2026. Facts are as reported on the dates shown; confirm with the official source before you act. General information, not legal, tax or financial advice.
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