Politics · India Bureau
India's ASUSE survey to focus on women entrepreneurs' business obstacles
The government's annual survey of unincorporated enterprises will introduce new questions on gender-specific business constraints and realign its cycle to match India's fiscal year from 2027, aiming to generate better data for policymaking.
LSN India ·
India's Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) will undergo significant modifications to capture the distinct challenges faced by women business owners and improve data collection timeliness.
The survey, which tracks India's vast unincorporated enterprise sector, will incorporate targeted questions designed to identify gender-specific obstacles that inhibit women entrepreneurs' business growth and expansion. These additions represent a recognition of the need for disaggregated data that can inform targeted policy interventions and support mechanisms for women-led enterprises.
Beyond expanded questionnaire content, ASUSE will transition from its current calendar-year cycle to the April-March fiscal year framework, beginning in 2027. This realignment is expected to enhance the policy relevance of survey findings by synchronizing data collection and analysis with India's budgetary and fiscal planning cycles, enabling faster integration of insights into government policy formulation.
The modifications underscore efforts to strengthen evidence-based policymaking in India's enterprise development strategies, particularly regarding the economic participation and constraints of women entrepreneurs. The unincorporated sector, which encompasses small businesses, self-employed individuals, and informal enterprises, remains a critical component of India's economic structure and employment landscape.