Reasons and Challenges in Context of Entrepreneurship: An Exploratory Study of Student’s Perception in Higher Education Institutions in India

The purpose of this paper is to explore the perception of Indian college students in context of the reasons for the choice of being an entrepreneur and the deterrents faced by them in achieving their entrepreneurial aspirations. The study aimed at understanding the preparedness of higher education institutions in the area of Delhi and NCR, India in fostering entrepreneurship education. The purpose of the paper was also to suggest suitable measures in improvising the education system to foster entrepreneurship education. The study is an exploratory study. Semi structured interviews were conducted and the data was transcribed, coded and the emerging themes are discussed in the paper. The sample comprised of 50 national and international undergraduate students from three public and one private university in Delhi & NCR. Out of 50, 39 were Indian while 11 were International Students. The interviews were tape-recorded, coded and the emerging themes are discussed. Results indicated the lack of preparedness by Higher Education Institutions in addressing the needs of both National as well as International students studying in both Public and Private Universities in India. The Challenges faced by Indian Female students were more complex and driven by social barriers.