Education
SIDBI releases inaugural MSME Outlook Survey
MUMBAI: If you want to know what’s really happening in India’s bustling micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) sector, SIDBI has just made life easier. The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has released the inaugural edition of its MSME Outlook Survey, a quarterly report that takes the pulse of India’s MSMEs, delivering valuable insights into their performance, expectations, and market sentiment.
The survey, covering manufacturing, services, and trading sectors, introduces two new indices—the MSME-Business Conditions Index (M-BCI) and the MSME-Business Expectations Index (M-BEI). These indices, ranging from 0 to 100, gauge market sentiment, with readings above 50 signalling optimism and those below 50 indicating caution.
The MSME sector seems to be on an upward trajectory, with the latest survey painting a positive picture:
. Business conditions are improving, with manufacturing leading at 60.33 M-BCI, followed closely by services at 59.67.
. Optimism is high for the future, with M-BEI projections exceeding 60, while manufacturing alone soars past 70.
. Sales growth, profitability, and production outlooks remain bullish, with order books filling up fast.
. Manufacturers expect rising input costs but anticipate higher profitability due to increased production and selling prices.
.15 per cent of MSMEs foresee improvements in skilled labour availability and infrastructure, including electricity supply and permit processing.
. Employment levels remain stable, but 30-40 per cent of respondents plan to expand their workforce soon.
. Digital marketing, environmental protection, and technology adoption are gaining traction, as MSMEs embrace modern business strategies.
Commenting on the survey launch, SIDBI chairman & managing director Manoj Mittal emphasised the importance of MSMEs in shaping the economy, “MSMEs are the backbone of the Indian economy and a vital driver of socio-economic change. This survey will provide stakeholders with valuable insights, enabling them to evaluate the current business climate and fine-tune their strategies.”
The full report is available at www.sidbi.in.
Education
Internshala launches 6 founder-led internships with stipends up to Rs 50,000
Intern With Icon offers direct access to top founders, mentorship and hands-on roles
MUMBAI: Internshala, an upGrad company, has launched a new initiative titled “Intern With Icon”, offering six students a chance to work directly with some of India’s most recognisable founders and faces from Shark Tank India.
The programme brings together a high-profile line-up including Vineeta Singh, Varun Alagh, Peyush Bansal, Namita Thapar, Kunal Bahl and Aman Gupta. One intern will be selected to work with each founder, gaining hands-on exposure across business functions along with direct mentorship.
The internships come with stipends ranging from Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000, along with a one-on-one session with the assigned founder. Applications open on April 27 and close on May 10, with final selections to be announced on May 18. The internship will run from May 27 to July 31, 2026.
Unlike traditional programmes, the initiative is degree-agnostic and focuses on potential rather than pedigree. Candidates are expected to demonstrate curiosity, adaptability and problem-solving skills, with basic familiarity in tools like Excel, PowerPoint and Canva seen as an added advantage.
Internshala founder and CEO Sarvesh Agrawal said, “Intern With Icon is designed to bridge aspiration with access. Young talent often admires iconic founders from afar. This programme gives them a chance to learn directly and understand how businesses are built.”
The initiative reflects a broader shift in early-career learning, moving from classroom-style exposure to real-world, founder-led experience. By placing students in the thick of decision-making and execution, Internshala is aiming to make internships less about observation and more about participation.
As competition for meaningful work experience grows, programmes like this could well set the tone for how India’s next generation of professionals gets its first real taste of the business world.
