Archives of Current Research International

This study examined entrepreneurial traits and their influence on entrepreneurial intention among rural youth in Udham Singh Nagar and Haridwar districts of Uttarakhand. A descriptive research design was adopted, and data were collected from 240 rural youth selected through simple random sampling across eight villages in four blocks. Primary data were obtained using a pre-tested interview schedule, and qualitative responses were converted into quantitative form using appropriate scoring techniques. The study assessed four entrepreneurial traits: locus of control, need for achievement, risk tolerance, and entrepreneurial alertness. Most respondents exhibited medium levels of these traits, and 72.08 per cent showed a medium level of entrepreneurial intention. Correlation analysis indicated positive and statistically significant relationships between entrepreneurial intention and locus of control (r = 0.497), need for achievement (r = 0.529), risk tolerance (r = 0.474), and entrepreneurial alertness (r = 0.649), all at p < 0.01. Entrepreneurial alertness showed the strongest association with entrepreneurial intention. Multiple linear regression further indicated that the four traits jointly explained 43.20 per cent of the variance in entrepreneurial intention (R² = 0.432; R = 0.657; F = 44.736; p < 0.01). The findings indicate that rural youth possess moderate entrepreneurial intention and suggest the importance of education, skill development, financial access, and supportive interventions for strengthening entrepreneurial engagement in Uttarakhand.