MSME ownership in Gujarat Still Dominated by Men

Despite being regarded as one of India's most entrepreneurial states, Gujarat has failed to secure a place among the country's top 10 states for women-owned Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

According to data for 2025-26, Gujarat registered 8.43 lakh new MSME units, of which 1.96 lakh are owned by women. However, this figure was not enough to place the state among the top performers in terms of women-led enterprises.

Telangana leads women-owned MSMEs

Observed every year on June 27 as MSME Day, the latest figures show that Telangana topped the country with 9.74 lakh women-owned MSMEs, followed by Maharashtra with 7.55 lakh.

Other states ahead of Gujarat in women-led enterprise registrations include Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

Experts cite multiple barriers

According to industry experts, several factors continue to limit women's participation in entrepreneurship in Gujarat. These include difficulties in obtaining bank loans and credit guarantees, challenges in acquiring land or industrial plots, male dominance in heavy industries, transportation and safety concerns in GIDC industrial estates, and the fact that many family-run businesses are officially registered in the names of male family members.

Gujarat also trails leading states in total MSME registrations

While Gujarat added 8.43 lakh new MSMEs during the year, it also remained outside the list of the country's top states in overall MSME registrations.

Maharashtra led the nation with 20.51 lakh new MSMEs, followed by Uttar Pradesh (19.72 lakh), Telangana (14.34 lakh), Tamil Nadu (12.32 lakh), Bihar (8.84 lakh) and Karnataka (8.64 lakh).

The figures highlight that although Gujarat continues to be recognised as an industrial powerhouse, it faces increasing competition from several other states in both overall MSME growth and women-led entrepreneurship.