MoU between MoRD and PCI India to Strengthen Women-Led Enterprises through Public Procurement
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) signed a non-financial MoU with PCI India on July 29, 2026, to strengthen women-led enterprises (WLEs), especially SHG-led ones, through public procurement and market-linked enterprise development. This formalizes a collaboration under the 'Leveraging Public Procurement for Women's Economic Empowerment' initiative supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Background
The MoU builds on a collaboration started in 2022 under the 'Leveraging Public Procurement for Women's Economic Empowerment' initiative. It aligns with DAY-NRLM's objectives and the national vision of creating 6 crore Lakhpati Didis through sustainable, enterprise-based livelihoods.
Key facts
MoRD signed a non-financial MoU with PCI India on July 29, 2026, under DAY-NRLM.
The MoU is for three years (2026-2029) with no fund transfer or financial liability between parties.
It aims to enhance participation of WLEs and SHG enterprises in government and institutional procurement.
A National Resource Cell (NRC)/Public Procurement and Business Model Support Cell will be set up under DAY-NRLM with technical support from PCI India.
The partnership will develop enterprise incubation frameworks, SOPs, operational toolkits, and standardized capacity-building modules.
Training and mentoring will be provided on GeM registration, tender participation, quality standards, documentation, and procurement compliance.
Initial technical assistance in FY 2026-27 will focus on Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
The collaboration promotes sustainable enterprise models through renewable energy integration and sustainable production practices.
It contributes to national goals like Viksit Bharat 2047, SDGs, and India's net-zero targets.
The MoU formalizes institutional technical support to ensure SHG enterprises access public procurement markets.
Prelims pointers
- MoRD: Ministry of Rural Development
- DAY-NRLM: Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission
- PCI: Project Concern International (PCI India)
- BMGF: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- GeM: Government e-Marketplace
- WLE: Women-Led Enterprise
- SHG: Self-Help Group
- SRLM: State Rural Livelihoods Mission
- NRC: National Resource Cell
- Lakhpati Didi: target of 6 crore women with sustainable livelihoods
Mains angles
- Discuss the role of public procurement in empowering women-led enterprises and its impact on rural livelihoods.
- Critically examine the effectiveness of non-financial MoUs in achieving women's economic empowerment under DAY-NRLM.
- Analyze how the partnership aligns with Viksit Bharat 2047 and sustainable development goals.