Delhi govt launches NEEEV to teach entrepreneurship in schools

Government schools in Delhi are set to introduce a comprehensive entrepreneurship education program called "New Era of Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and Vision" (NEEEV), designed to instill innovation, critical thinking, and self-sufficiency among students.

The initiative will be implemented in classes 8 to 12 starting this academic year.

The Directorate of Education has issued detailed instructions to all government schools, asking principals to assign a teacher as the NEEEV School Program Coordinator.

These coordinators will be responsible for conducting weekly sessions that focus on hands-on learning and practical understanding of business concepts.

According to the official circular, the program will feature a variety of student-led activities. These include "NEEEV Dialogue," a curated speaker series with entrepreneurs and industry leaders, and "Startup Stormers," a competitive platform where students can pitch and refine their startup ideas across multiple stages.

Student teams selected through the competition will receive funding support of ₹20,000 per project to help build prototypes or launch pilot ventures.

Schools that house Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) will provide students with access to high-tech resources such as 3D printers, Internet of Things (IoT) kits, artificial intelligence and robotics equipment, and STEM-based learning tools.

To monitor and coordinate the implementation, every school will form a School Innovation Council (SIC), headed by the principal.

Additionally, zonal and district-level innovation councils will be set up, with certain schools in each area designated as nodal centers for coordination.

The circular notes that both the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023 identify entrepreneurship training as essential to preparing students for future challenges.

These policies emphasize the importance of practical, skill-driven education over rote learning.

Announced during the Delhi government's budget session in March, the NEEEV program comes with a budget allocation of ₹20 crore.

It replaces the previous "Business Blasters" scheme, significantly boosting financial support from ₹2,000 per student to ₹20,000 per team.

The new program also broadens the focus by integrating financial and digital literacy with entrepreneurship training.

“This new initiative empowers students not just with business skills but also with confidence, creativity, and leadership. It’s about building job creators, not just job seekers,” said a senior education department official.

“Entrepreneurship is not just commerce; it is a mindset, a skill, and a form of applied learning that prepares students for an unpredictable future,” another official said.

Through the NEEEV program, Delhi's education department hopes to equip students with the tools they need to think independently, solve real-world problems, and potentially launch their own ventures while still in school.