New Delhi: In an initiative aimed at fostering financial and digital literacy among micro-level women entrepreneurs, the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi), in collaboration with EXL, a leading data analytics and solutions company, has launched an action research project to empower more than 500 woman members of Self-Help Groups (SHG) across North India.

This collaborative effort has culminated in the creation of a comprehensive handbook designed to serve as a self-learning guide for micro-level women entrepreneurs. The handbook was officially launched by Shri Mekala Chaitanya Prasad (IAS, Mission Director DSULM), Shri Satyajit Gupta (VP-2, Asst. General Counsel, Head of India Legal, Global Head of CSR, EXL), Ms. Muskan Jain (Assistant VP, Global CSR Lead, EXL), Mr. Sheelkant Sharma (Delhi SULM), Prof. Seema Sharma (IIT Delhi), and Prof. Gourav Dwivedi (IIT Delhi).

Following the launch, a three-day workshop was conducted at IIT Delhi, focusing on equipping participants with practical skills and knowledge to navigate the digital economy. More than 100 women entrepreneurs participated in this workshop.

The project, funded by EXL's CSR programme, is being implemented across six states: Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Rajasthan. The initiative will ultimately empower more than 500 women. The National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) and National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) officers at state and district levels have been playing key roles in organizing the workshops by mobilizing the SHG members.

The workshop emphasizes a hands-on approach, featuring product showcases and interactive sessions that enable participants to translate theoretical learning into practical business applications.

Shri Mekala Chaitanya Prasad, IAS, Mission Director DSULM, said, "This comprehensive model ensures that women entrepreneurs gain the confidence and resources needed to thrive in the evolving e-commerce and digital business landscape."

Shri Satyajit Gupta, VP-2, Asst General Counsel, Head of India Legal, Global Head of CSR, EXL, said, "By empowering women with essential financial and digital skills, we are not only fostering economic independence but also contributing to the growth of India's entrepreneurial ecosystem."

"We are proud to partner with IIT Delhi on this impactful initiative," added Ms. Muskan Jain, Assistant VP, Global CSR Lead, EXL.

Prof. Seema Sharma, PI of the project and professor at the Department of Management Studies, IIT Delhi, emphasized the transformative potential of it, "We are confident that this collaborative effort will create a ripple effect, leading to greater economic empowerment for women across India."

"This initiative bridges the gap between academia, grassroots entrepreneurs, and the market," highlighted the project Co-PI Prof. Gourav Dwivedi, Department of Management Studies, IIT Delh.

The success of the workshop at IIT Delhi marks the first phase of this ambitious project. The initiative is poised to expand its reach in the coming months, empowering more women entrepreneurs and shaping a more inclusive entrepreneurial landscape in India.

About EXL:

EXL (NASDAQ: EXLS) is a global data and AI company that offers services and solutions to reinvent client business models, drive better outcomes and unlock growth with speed. EXL harnesses the power of data, AI, and deep industry knowledge to transform businesses, including the world’s leading corporations in industries including insurance, healthcare, banking and capital markets, retail, communications and media, and energy and infrastructure, among others. EXL was founded in 1999 with the core values of innovation, collaboration, excellence, integrity and respect. We are headquartered in New York and have approximately 57,000 employees spanning six continents. For more information, visit www.exlservice.com.

About IIT Delhi:

The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) is one of the premier engineering and technology institutes in India, known for its academic excellence, research prowess, and contributions to societal development.