Udhyam Shiksha Receives Global Recognition for Advancing Entrepreneurship Education in Government Schools

Udhyam Shiksha, the flagship school programme of Udhyam Learning Foundation, has received two international recognitions for its work in bringing entrepreneurship education to government schools across India. The programme has been selected for the 2026 HundrED Global Collection and has also received the EduEvidence Equity Bronze Certification, recognising its approach to evidence-backed and equitable learning.

Udhyam Learning Foundation works with state governments to integrate entrepreneurship education into government schools. The programme is currently implemented across 15 states and reaches more than 4.7 million government school students.

Recognition by HundrED and EduEvidence

The HundrED Global Collection identifies and showcases 100 education innovations each year that demonstrate impact and potential for scalability in K–12 education. The selection process involves assessment by education experts from around the world.

As part of the evaluation, Udhyam Shiksha also qualified for the EduEvidence Equity Bronze Certification, an international recognition focused on evidence of educational impact, equity and accessibility. Udhyam Learning Foundation is the only Indian NGO to have a programme featured in the HundrED Global Collection for two consecutive years. The organisation previously received the Youth Choice Award in 2025.

Entrepreneurship Education Reaches Millions

The latest recognitions highlight Udhyam Shiksha's focus on developing students' skills, mindsets and agency through experiential learning. Mekin Maheshwari, Founder and CEO of Udhyam Learning Foundation, said the recognition reflects the outcomes the organisation has observed when students are given responsibility and opportunities to address real-world challenges.

He also acknowledged the contribution of teachers, students and government partners involved in implementing the programme, while emphasising the role entrepreneurship education can play in helping young people develop confidence, resilience and the ability to make independent decisions about their futures.

Preparing Students for a Changing Economy

As workplaces and economies evolve, education systems are increasingly emphasizing skills that complement academic knowledge. Critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, resilience and problem-solving are becoming important components of preparing students for life and work.

The programme has been developed in response to these changing needs in India. With nearly 12 million young people entering the workforce each year and limited formal employment opportunities, the programme seeks to help students become adaptable, self-directed and capable of identifying opportunities. Udhyam Shiksha introduces entrepreneurship education into government schools through an experiential, teacher-led model rather than relying solely on classroom theory.

Students Learn Through Real-World Projects

Under the programme, students work together to identify challenges in their communities and explore potential solutions. They conduct market research, develop ideas, pitch their proposals and receive seed funding to test selected concepts in real-world settings.

Over a period of several weeks, students work on developing products or services, interact with customers, manage finances and assess the outcomes of their projects. Through this process, students can develop skills in areas such as financial literacy, communication, problem-solving, resilience and teamwork, while also learning how to respond to setbacks and refine their ideas.

Teachers at the Centre of the Programme

Udhyam Shiksha has been designed to operate within existing government education systems, with government school teachers delivering the programme as part of classroom learning. This model is intended to make experiential entrepreneurship education available to students from different socio-economic backgrounds without requiring extensive additional infrastructure or resources.

Teachers involved in the programme are trained to serve as mentors, supporting students as they develop and test their ideas. The programme therefore combines entrepreneurship learning with teacher capacity-building.

AI-Powered Support Through Udhyam Saarthi

The programme also uses Udhyam Saarthi, an AI-based platform designed to provide teachers and students with round-the-clock, context-aware support. The platform can assist with evaluating ideas, prototypes and pitches, provide rubric-based feedback and automate routine tasks. This is intended to allow teachers to spend more time on mentoring and personalised guidance.

The AI for Global Development Accelerator (AI4GD) programme, backed by The Agency Fund and OpenAI, supports Udhyam Saarthi. It was among eight organisations selected globally for the initiative. The platform also received the Salesforce and Mint Tech4Good 2025 Award in the category of Best Use of AI in Education and Livelihoods.

Scaling Experiential Learning in Public Education

The recognition places Udhyam Shiksha among international education initiatives focused on developing new approaches to student learning. Its government-supported, teacher-led model shows how public education systems can incorporate entrepreneurship and experiential learning at scale. The programme's expansion across 15 states also highlights the potential for integrating practical, skills-based learning into existing school structures.

Editor’s Note

Entrepreneurship education is increasingly being viewed as more than preparation for starting a business. Skills such as problem-solving, communication, financial awareness, creativity and resilience can influence how young people approach challenges in education, work and everyday life.

Udhyam Shiksha's model places these experiences within government schools, where students learn by identifying problems, testing ideas and reflecting on outcomes. Its latest international recognitions draw attention to the broader question of how public education systems can create opportunities for students to develop agency and practical skills alongside conventional academic learning.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Udhyam Shiksha?

Udhyam Shiksha is the flagship school programme of Udhyam Learning Foundation that works with state governments to introduce entrepreneurship education into government schools.

2. What international recognition has Udhyam Shiksha received?

The programme has been selected for the 2026 HundrED Global Collection and received the EduEvidence Equity Bronze Certification.

3. How many students does Udhyam Shiksha reach?

The programme currently reaches more than 4.7 million government school students across 15 states.

4. What is the HundrED Global Collection?

The HundrED Global Collection identifies and showcases 100 impactful and scalable K–12 education innovations each year following evaluation by international education experts.

5. What is the EduEvidence Equity Bronze Certification?

It is an international certification recognising evidence of educational impact, with a focus on equitable learning outcomes and accessibility.

6. How do students learn entrepreneurship through the programme?

Students identify community problems, conduct research, develop solutions, pitch ideas, receive seed funding and test their products or services in real-world settings.

7. Which skills does Udhyam Shiksha aim to develop?

The programme focuses on skills including problem-solving, communication, financial literacy, collaboration, creativity, resilience and confidence.