IGNOU Udyami is an initiative aimed at nurturing entrepreneurial thinking among learners of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).  It is an initiative towards the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat@2047 mission of the Government of India.  Various awareness and motivational sessions on Innovation, Startup and Entrepreneurships were organized for the IGNOU Udyami Students. Some Special Training Sessions were also organized for the selected students on specific topics like Business Plan Development, Funding Opportunities and Patent Applications, etc. As an outcome of this scheme the interested and potential innovators and entrepreneurs and they are being provided special capacity building workshops on Innovation and Entrepreneurship. It is open to students from diverse academic backgrounds, making entrepreneurship accessible to a wide learner base across the country. 

To empower interested students to become innovators and job creators, contributing to a self-reliant and developed India.

To create a supportive ecosystem that enables learners to ideate, build, and grow startups through mentorship, training, and access to opportunities. 

The basic objectives of the IGNOU-Udyami are as follows:

1. Identifying and recognizing the innovator and entrepreneur students of IGNOU interested in developing their enterprises or have already developed the same,

2. To inculcate mindset of an entrepreneur in the interested students of IGNOU,

3. Creating an online network of such innovators and entrepreneurs to collaborate with each other,

4. Impart guidance, required training and support in taking their ideas or startups to the next level,

5. Harness the potential of IGNOU students towards Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat@2047 Mission of the Government of India, and

6. Utilizing the network of IGNOU alumni who are established entrepreneurs to enable the University.

By joining the IGNOU-Udyami network:

1. You will get recognized and noticed as an innovator and entrepreneur student of IGNOU.

2. You will be part of the online network of such innovators and entrepreneurs to collaborate with each other and get benefited by the expertise and experience of each other.

3. The interested students will be provided special need-based training and guidance from time to time for developing bankable business proposals, in getting funds and establishing their Startups by involving the experts from different areas.

4. The success stories of such innovator and startups by the Students of IGNOU including the Alumni will be showcased on the web portal IGNOU Udyami for motivating others.

5. The successful entrepreneurs including the Alumni of IGNOU will be involved in motivating the budding innovator and entrepreneur students from time to time through virtual sessions on different topics.

6. Efforts will be made for connecting and facilitating the IGNOU Udyami with the Government of India’s Entrepreneurial Development Programme and schemes from time to time.

The National Centre for Innovation in Distance Education (NCIDE) is a specialized centre of IGNOU dedicated to promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and skill development among learners.

NCIDE plays a key role in conceptualizing and driving entrepreneurship initiatives at IGNOU. It actively organizes workshops, training sessions, and outreach programs to build awareness and skills among learners. The centre also facilitates mentorship and expert interactions, enabling students to gain practical insights and guidance. In addition, NCIDE connects students with innovation ecosystems and relevant government initiatives, helping them access opportunities for growth and development.