Youth Entrepreneurship in India: Driving Economic Growth and Social Inclusion – A Study

Abstract

Indian youth entrepreneurship has become a central driver of economic development and social inclusion by empowering young people to innovate, generate employment, and solve societal problems. In the last few years, there has been increased enthusiasm for youth entrepreneurship, primarily attributed to the mounting rates of young people's unemployment and the establishment of entrepreneurship as a potential method to generate job opportunities. It has also been viewed as an approach to preventing social exclusion through the inclusion of young people into the economic mainstream. As global economies, youth entrepreneurship has become an essential factor that can improve the economic competitiveness, innovation, and regional development of economies. The significance of developing entrepreneurial abilities among the youth cannot be overemphasized, as young entrepreneurs introduce new ideas, creative solutions, and a dynamic business attitude that can immensely contribute to economic development. Most nations have increasingly come to appreciate this potential and are investing in programs and initiatives that seek to encourage young people to establish their own businesses. These initiatives are not merely job creation but empowering the youth to own their economic futures, hence decreasing reliance on the conventional employment industries that may no longer provide the same level of stability or growth prospects. To better understand the dynamics of youth entrepreneurship, a comprehensive study was conducted in Karnataka state in India. The study entailed interviewing and surveying young entrepreneurs through a standardized questionnaire that was meant to explore different dimensions of their entrepreneurial experience. The research sought to establish the most influential factors that motivate young people to pursue the entrepreneurial route, including access to resources, mentorship, market opportunities, and the socio-economic environment. This research analyses the prospects, challenges, and policy contexts shaping youth startup ventures, underlining their contribution to unemployment reduction, regional inequality bridging, and inclusive development. By means of qualitative and quantitative examination, the study delves into critical success factors, finance access, skill building, and the implications of digital change on entrepreneurial activities. The study emphasizes the importance of specific government programs, public-private partnership, and curriculum reforms to ensure long-term youth entrepreneurship as a driver of India's socio-economic development.