Entrepreneurship Education in India-Scope, challenges and Role of Bschools in Promoting Entrepreneurship Education

Education is an important factor in determining the entrepreneurial orientation in individuals. Formal education is positively correlated with entrepreneurship. Education and training can have definite role in enhancing entrepreneurship in the context of a developing country like India by enlarging the pool of entrepreneurs.

During liberalization, which started in India in 1991, India exerted greater effort to promote and nurture entrepreneurship. Attempts at various levels have taken place to directly or indirectly promote entrepreneurship. During the recent past there has been a growing debate about how well educational systems specially B-schools prepare young management graduates for Entrepreneurship. In the present scenario this debate becomes even more relevant. Should B-Schools lay special emphasis on entrepreneur education in their curriculum? If yes than what is scope of this education and what opportunity will it raise? These are some questions which need to be given serious thought.

Unfortunately, the present entrepreneurship education in India just concentrates on related courses. Moreover, the so called entrepreneurship courses are similar to the general business courses. But general business management education has no significant influence on entrepreneurial propensity. There is a demand for education programs specifically designed to expand students’ knowledge and experience in entrepreneurship. The contents and teaching methods have to be differentiated between entrepreneurship and traditional business courses.

This paper attempts to explain the evolution of entrepreneurship education in India. It then discusses the importance and role of entrepreneurship in Indian economy. It further discusses the challenges with regard to the role of educational programs and the delivery systems for disseminating these entrepreneurship education programs.

This paper tries to explain the role of B-schools in shaping and nurturing of future entrepreneurs in India. It also discusses whether the current curriculum taught in B-schools meets the requirements of budding entrepreneurs. Moreover, this paper discusses the steps that should be taken by B-schools towards promotion of entrepreneurship education.