The Central Government’s Stand-Up India scheme helps Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and women entrepreneurs start a new business with a bank loan. It was launched on 5 April 2016 and belongs to the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance. Under it, loans of ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore are given, and every bank branch is expected to lend to at least one SC-ST borrower and one woman borrower. The original scheme’s term ran till March 2025, and Budget 2025-26 announced a new scheme to follow it, so check the current status on the official portal before applying.
How much loan, and for what work
The scheme gives a composite loan — a single loan covering both the term loan and working capital. It is only for a new (greenfield) enterprise, not for expanding an existing business. Loans are given for manufacturing, services, trading and activities allied to agriculture. All branches of Scheduled Commercial Banks across the country lend under this scheme.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants are SC entrepreneurs, ST entrepreneurs and women entrepreneurs (a woman applicant may belong to any caste or background). The applicant must be setting up a new enterprise. If the application is made as a company, firm or LLP, conditions on shareholding apply — see the official portal for the details.
What are the loan terms
The borrower has to bring margin money of up to 15% of the project cost — this limit was reduced from 25% to 15% after the Budget 2021-22 announcement. The repayment period is up to 7 years, with a moratorium of up to 18 months before repayments begin. The interest rate is the bank’s lowest applicable rate for that category — ask your bank or check the portal for the current rate.
How far it has reached, and what comes next
According to official figures, by March 2025 more than 2.73 lakh accounts had been sanctioned under the scheme, of which 2,04,058 loans (about 83%) went to women, amounting to over ₹47,704 crore sanctioned to women. In Budget 2025-26 the Government announced a new scheme for 5 lakh women, SC and ST first-time entrepreneurs, offering term loans up to ₹2 crore over the next 5 years. The detailed rules of this new scheme are still to come — check standupmitra.in for the latest information.
How to apply
You can apply in three ways — directly at your bank branch, by registering online on the Stand-Up India portal (standupmitra.in), or through your district’s Lead District Manager (LDM). Never pay any agent or middleman in the name of the application — the loan is sanctioned by the bank itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How much loan is given under Stand-Up India?
A: A composite loan of ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore — for a new enterprise.
Q2: Who is eligible for this scheme?
A: SC or ST entrepreneurs and women entrepreneurs, for setting up a new (greenfield) enterprise.
Q3: Are applications under Stand-Up India open now?
A: The original scheme ran till March 2025; Budget 2025-26 announced a new scheme up to ₹2 crore, whose rules are awaited — check standupmitra.in.
Q4: Where and how do I apply?
A: At your bank branch, online on the standupmitra.in portal, or through the Lead District Manager of your district.
Useful links
- Stand-Up India official portal: https://www.standupmitra.in/
- Stand-Up India on MyScheme: https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/sui
- List of all 726 Central Government schemes: /english/kendra-sarkar-ki-yojnayen-2/
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