During the International MSME Day 2026 celebrations at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi, Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan underscored the critical role of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in shaping India’s economic future. Presiding over the ‘MSME Day 2026–Udyami Bharat’ event, he emphasized that MSMEs are far more than a simple economic category. They represent the aspirations of the youth, the courage of first-generation entrepreneurs, and the resilience of small businesses across the nation. According to the Vice President, India’s ambitious journey toward becoming a developed nation, ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’, will be largely powered by this vibrant and dynamic sector.
Uncompromising Quality and Continuous Growth
Sharing insights from his own entrepreneurial background and tenure as Chairman of the Coir Board, Radhakrishnan urged young entrepreneurs to immerse themselves in their trade and not be deterred by initial challenges. A central theme of his address was the absolute necessity of maintaining high-quality standards in an increasingly competitive global market. He noted that while reducing costs is important, it should never come at the expense of superior quality and better services.
The Vice President also called for greater dynamism within the sector, encouraging businesses to constantly scale up. He expressed that a micro enterprise should actively aspire to become a small enterprise, and a small enterprise must strive to transition into a medium enterprise, emphasizing that entrepreneurs should not remain stagnant at their initial levels. To facilitate this growth, he highlighted the need for policy support, adequate investment, and easier access to finance.
Embracing Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation
Reflecting the United Nations’ theme for the year, “Human-Centered Entrepreneurship in an AI-Driven Future,” Radhakrishnan urged the sector to view technological change and Artificial Intelligence (AI) as opportunities rather than threats. Drawing a parallel to the initial apprehensions surrounding the introduction of computers, he reminded the audience that technology ultimately generated new avenues for employment. If adopted constructively, AI has the potential to create unprecedented growth and support business innovation for MSMEs.
To further strengthen the MSME ecosystem, the event featured the launch of a suite of transformative digital platforms. Among these was the PMEGP 2.0 Portal, a digital platform designed to simplify the lifecycle of beneficiaries and integrate seamlessly with the Jan Samarth Portal for efficient loan processing. The government also introduced the SAMADHAAN 2.0 Portal, a dedicated system implemented to track and report outstanding dues owed to MSMEs by various government agencies and departments.
Additionally, the MSME Global Mart 2.0 was launched as a national digital commerce platform integrated with the ONDC ecosystem, aiming to help MSMEs connect with broader global and national business opportunities. To ensure these digital resources reach a wider demographic, a Multilingual Access Initiative was showcased alongside the portals. This AI-enabled system provides access to MSME services across 22 Scheduled Indian languages, featuring voice grievance redressal and document translation capabilities to significantly enhance digital inclusion.
The government’s continued focus on formalization, digital empowerment, and innovation-led growth signifies a strong commitment to building a resilient, future-ready ecosystem where entrepreneurs can thrive and contribute significantly to nation-building.
