The central government runs a small but useful loan scheme for Safai Karamcharis, manual scavengers and their dependants in Haryana — Micro Credit Finance (MCF). It is run by the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC), and in Haryana applications go through the district offices of the Haryana Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (HSFDC). Under this scheme, a project costing up to Rs 1 lakh can get a loan of up to 90% (maximum Rs 90,000), the beneficiary pays interest of 7% per annum, and repayment is allowed over a maximum of 3 years after a 4-month implementation period and a 6-month moratorium.
Understand this clearly first: this is a LOAN, not a grant or subsidy — the borrowed money must be repaid with interest. And it is open to both men and women — unlike NSKFDC’s Mahila Adhikarita Yojana (MAY) and Mahila Samridhi Yojana (MSY), which are for women only. This guide is based on NSKFDC’s updated Lending Policies & Guidelines (LPG, 02.09.2026).
Scheme at a glance
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Channel in Haryana | Haryana Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (HSFDC) — the State Channelising Agency; also Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and nationalised bank branches |
| Who can apply | Safai Karamcharis (including wastepickers), manual scavengers and their dependants — men and women both; a dependant must be 18 years or above |
| Last date | HSFDC drive last date 31 December 2026; the MCF scheme itself runs year-round |
What is this scheme?
Micro Credit Finance is NSKFDC’s smallest loan scheme. Its aim is to help Safai Karamcharis, manual scavengers and their families start a small business or expand an existing one, so that they can move out of their traditional scavenging and sweeping work into dignified self-employment. NSKFDC does not lend directly to the beneficiary — the money comes through the State Channelising Agency (HSFDC in Haryana), a Regional Rural Bank or a nationalised bank.
According to a PIB release dated 11 September 2026, NSKFDC has sanctioned and disbursed concessional loans of Rs 3,365.93 crore since its inception (1997) up to 10 September 2026, benefiting 6,10,902 persons. Across its schemes, individual loans of up to Rs 30 lakh and group loans of up to Rs 75 lakh are available, and interest generally ranges from 6% to 9% per annum — MCF is the smallest scheme in that range.
How much loan will you get?
Under NSKFDC’s LPG (02.09.2026), the MCF loan is worked out like this:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
Example: if you start a project costing Rs 1,00,000 (say a general store or a mobile-repair shop), you can get up to Rs 90,000 as the NSKFDC loan, and the remaining Rs 10,000 is arranged by the Channelising Agency as loan/subsidy/other funds — no compulsory contribution is asked from you. For a smaller project the loan falls in the same proportion (for a Rs 50,000 project, the NSKFDC loan is at most Rs 45,000).
Who can apply?
- Safai Karamcharis — persons engaged in sanitation work, including wastepickers.
- Manual scavengers — persons engaged in manually cleaning or carrying human excreta.
- Their dependants — a family member dependent on them; for financial assistance a dependant must have attained the age of 18 years or above.
- Men and women both are eligible — MCF has no gender condition.
- Groups are also eligible — a legally constituted association/firm/co-operative society promoted by the target group can also apply.
- Occupation certificate — from the local Revenue Officer / Municipal Officer / Cantonment Executive Officer / Railway Officer / Head of a Government Department (not below the rank of Gazetted Officer) / Elected Members of a Municipal Body / Pradhan of a Gram Panchayat / Regional Manager of an RRB or nationalised bank; for Safai Karamcharis/dependants, the Mukhia/Sarpanch/President or an authority equivalent to the Pradhan of a Gram Panchayat can also issue the certificate.
- Manual Scavenger survey list — under the MS Act, 2013, a person identified as a manual scavenger in a survey need not produce any certificate once the name appears in the final list prepared by the State Government (www.mssurvey.nic.in).
- Income limit: NO income limit is fixed in NSKFDC’s LPG. Other things being equal, priority is given to — (i) manual scavengers (especially those with income below double the poverty line), (ii) women from the target group, (iii) disabled persons from the target group.
- The financial viability and income-generating capacity of the project are considered — the proposal must generate enough income to push the beneficiary above the poverty line and away from scavenging work.
Who cannot apply?
- Domestic workers CANNOT apply — the LPG definition of “Safai Karamchari” expressly excludes domestic workers and manual scavengers (manual scavengers are a separate category). People doing sweeping, mopping or utensil work in homes are not eligible for this scheme.
- General Scheduled Caste (SC) persons are NOT eligible — this scheme is only for the Safai Karamchari / manual scavenger community. For general SC applicants there are the NSFDC (a different corporation) schemes — see the distinction table below.
- Dependants below 18 years of age are not eligible for financial assistance.
- Projects that only build infrastructure are not financed — NSKFDC finances only income-generating projects; infrastructure that directly leads to income generation can be considered.
- An application will not move forward if the applicant has no occupation certificate and is not on the survey list either.
Income limit — clear this confusion first
Three different income figures are heard about this scheme — they are three different things. Do not mix them up:
| NSKFDC LPG (02.09.2026) — the MCF scheme condition | NO income limit fixed | The official scheme condition; only a priority order is fixed (manual scavengers, women, disabled persons) | ||
| HSFDC Haryana drive (UNI, 18 October 2026) | Family income Rs 3 lakh/year | A condition of the HSFDC application drive in Haryana — a channel condition, not a scheme condition; last date 31 December 2026 | ||
| NSFDC’s MCF (a different corporation, SC community) | Family income below Rs 3 lakh/year | This is NOT NSKFDC’s MCF — it is the condition of the NSFDC (National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation) scheme of the same name; do not apply it to NSKFDC’s MCF |
What this means: if you apply under the HSFDC October–December 2026 drive, HSFDC will apply the Rs 3 lakh income ceiling. The MCF scheme itself fixes no income limit — so after the drive ends, eligibility will be decided under the LPG. Confirm the current condition at your district HSFDC office before applying.
Which work can the loan be used for?
Under the LPG, NSKFDC can finance a wide range of income-generating activities. For projects up to Rs 1 lakh, the LPG’s indicative list includes these (the list is indicative, not exhaustive — any viable income-generating work can be proposed):
| Agriculture | Mixed farming, bee keeping, goat rearing, dairy, poultry, duck rearing | Services | Tea leaf shop, tea stall, cane-bamboo shop, general store, singar (cosmetics) shop, carpentry, rickshaw, sale of steel utensils, gift items shop, flower shop, egg business, rice selling, badi/papad making, readymade garments, mason work, mobile repairing, TV/domestic appliances repairing, electrician, plumbing, fruit and vegetable vending, meat shop, paan shop, beauty parlour, footwear shop, electronic shop, fast food, photo studio, cycle repairing, barber shop, tailoring shop, flour mill, bicycle hiring and repairing |
Interest and repayment — the full calculation
| Repayment period | Maximum 3 years after the implementation and moratorium periods (i.e. up to 46 months in total from disbursement) |
EMI example (7% per annum on a reducing balance, assuming 36 equal monthly instalments — the actual instalment schedule is fixed by the Channelising Agency):
Rate history — note this: older documents (2023 tables) show the MCF rate as 2% (NSKFDC to agency) / 5% (beneficiary). The current LPG (02.09.2026) fixes the rate at 3% / 7% — this guide follows the current LPG. If an old website or an agent quotes 5%, that is the old rate.
The rebate question — NOT confirmed: the PIB release of 11 September 2026 says a 1% rebate is provided to women beneficiaries and an additional 0.5% rebate for timely repayment of instalments, “in accordance with the applicable scheme guidelines”. But the MCF section of the LPG states a flat 7% with no rebate mentioned. So this guide does NOT claim the rebate applies — women applicants should ask the HSFDC office whether the 1% rebate (i.e. an effective 6%) applies on the 7% (at 6%, the EMI on Rs 90,000 would be Rs 2,738/month).
Which documents are needed?
NSKFDC’s preliminary loan application form (LPG Annexure-i) asks for the following information — the final document list is fixed by the HSFDC district office, so confirm there before applying:
| Document / information | Why it is needed | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name of the scheme + name of the activity + loan amount | Which scheme, for which work, how much loan — to be written in the form | ||
| Occupation certificate | From a competent authority as listed above; not needed if the name is on the MS Act survey list | ||
How to apply online?
There is no direct online application. NSKFDC does not accept applications directly from beneficiaries — applications go through the district office of the State Channelising Agency (HSFDC), an RRB branch or a nationalised bank branch. No verified online application portal was found for MCF — do not link it to the SARAL portal either (no SARAL service for NSKFDC’s MCF has been verified).
The loan application form and the “How to Apply” page are available on the NSKFDC website (nskfdc.nic.in), and the form is also available at the HSFDC district office. Note: on 8 November 2026 the NSKFDC website did not open from this environment (no response from the server) — that does not mean the website is down; try opening nskfdc.nic.in in your own browser, or go directly to the HSFDC district office. A copy of the LPG is publicly available on the Gujarat Government’s SJE portal (see the official links below).
Offline application — the full process
Under NSKFDC’s official “How to Apply” process, an application moves like this:
- Fill the preliminary form: go to your district HSFDC office / RRB branch / nationalised bank branch. Fill the MCF preliminary application form there (available in the local language) — name, age, address, mobile, Aadhaar, education, category (SK/MS), scheme name, activity and loan amount. Attach the occupation certificate.
- Awareness camps: the SCA holds awareness camps from time to time in the bastis of Safai Karamcharis and manual scavengers, where forms are available and the schemes are explained — you can also apply at a camp.
- Scrutiny and recommendation: the district office scrutinises the application and sends it to the head office; the SCA/RRB/bank checks the viability of the project and sends suitable proposals to NSKFDC with recommendations.
- Appraisal at NSKFDC: NSKFDC’s Project Appraisal Committee appraises the proposal; proposals in order are placed before the Board of Directors for sanction.
- Sanction and agreement: after sanction, a Letter of Intent is issued to the SCA/RRB/bank; after acceptance and execution of the loan agreement/documents, the funds are released to the SCA/RRB/bank.
- Disbursement: the money reaches the beneficiary through the SCA/RRB/bank — the project must be started within 4 months, and instalments begin after the 6-month moratorium.
Fee, timeline and status check
| Subject | Status | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Application fee | No application fee is recorded in the LPG or official sources — none has been invented; ask the HSFDC office | ||
| Time limit (RTS) | No published RTS timeline was found for NSKFDC loans — no period has been invented | ||
| HSFDC drive last date | 31 December 2026 (UNI, 18 October 2026 — HSFDC application drive; family income ceiling Rs 3 lakh) | ||
Distinctions — MCF vs other schemes
MCF causes the most confusion in two places — with NSKFDC’s own sister schemes, and with the NSFDC (a different corporation) scheme of the same name. The differences are clear:
| 3-month moratorium) | |
Also: NBCFDC’s MSY is a different scheme (Backward Classes women) — do not confuse it with NSKFDC’s MSY. The Haryana SC Self-Employment Loan (post 2286) is HSFDC’s state-level scheme — not NSKFDC’s MCF. And the PM Mudra Yojana is for the general public and has nothing to do with NSKFDC.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1. How much loan will I get under MCF?
Up to 90% of a project costing Rs 1 lakh — a maximum NSKFDC loan of Rs 90,000. The remaining 10% (Rs 10,000) is arranged by the Channelising Agency as loan/subsidy/other funds. A group of 10 persons can get up to Rs 10 lakh in total (subject to the Rs 1 lakh per-person cap).
2. How much interest will I pay?
The beneficiary pays 7% per annum. NSKFDC charges the Channelising Agency 3%, and the agency charges the beneficiary 7%. Older documents show 5% — that is the old rate; the current LPG (02.09.2026) fixes 7%.
3. Can women also apply?
Yes — MCF is for men and women both. This is what sets it apart from MAY and MSY, which are for women only. Whether the 1% interest rebate for women applies is still unconfirmed (see “Interest and repayment” above).
4. Is there any income limit?
NSKFDC’s LPG fixes no income limit. But the HSFDC application drive in Haryana (October–December 2026) has a family income ceiling of Rs 3 lakh — that is a drive condition, not a scheme condition. The NSFDC’s (different) MCF has a Rs 3 lakh income limit — do not apply that to this scheme.
5. Can domestic workers apply?
No. The LPG definition of “Safai Karamchari” does not include domestic workers. People doing sweeping, mopping or utensil work in homes are not eligible — eligibility is only for Safai Karamcharis (including wastepickers), manual scavengers and their dependants.
6. Are the NSFDC MCF and the NSKFDC MCF the same scheme?
No — this is the most common confusion. The NSFDC (National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation) MCF is for the Scheduled Caste community (project Rs 1.40 lakh, loan Rs 1.25 lakh, interest 6.5%, income limit Rs 3 lakh). The NSKFDC (National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation) MCF is for the Safai Karamchari / manual scavenger community (project Rs 1 lakh, loan Rs 90,000, interest 7%, no income limit in the LPG). Two different corporations, different eligibility, different terms.
7. How much time will I get to repay the loan?
After disbursement there is a 4-month implementation period + a 6-month moratorium, then a maximum of 3 years to repay — up to 46 months in total. The EMI on a Rs 90,000 loan is about Rs 2,779/month (36 months at 7% — as an illustration; the actual instalment schedule is fixed by the Channelising Agency).
8. Where do I get the occupation certificate?
From the local Revenue Officer, Municipal Officer, Cantonment Executive Officer, Railway Officer, Head of a Government Department (not below Gazetted Officer rank), Elected Member of a Municipal Body, Pradhan of a Gram Panchayat, or Regional Manager of an RRB/nationalised bank; in villages the Mukhia/Sarpanch/President can also issue it. If the name is on the MS Act survey list, no certificate is needed.
9. How do I apply online?
There is no verified online application portal for MCF, and NSKFDC does not accept applications directly. Apply offline at your district HSFDC office, RRB branch or nationalised bank branch — the preliminary form is available there. No SARAL service for this scheme has been verified.
10. What is the last date to apply?
The HSFDC Haryana drive’s last date is 31 December 2026 (with a family income ceiling of Rs 3 lakh). The MCF scheme itself runs year-round — even after the drive, you can apply through the HSFDC district office / RRB / bank branch, when eligibility will be decided under the LPG.
Official links and contacts
| Work | Link / contact |
|---|---|
| NSKFDC — official website | nskfdc.nic.in — schemes, the How to Apply page and the loan application form (the site did not open from this environment on 8 November 2026; try it in your own browser) |
| NSKFDC LPG (02.09.2026) — PDF | Gujarat SJE portal — Updated LPG 02.09.2026 (a copy of NSKFDC’s official lending policy; MCF on pages 6–7, amounts/interest/eligibility from here) |
| myScheme — Haryana schemes (list) | myscheme.gov.in/search/state/Haryana (this scheme’s myScheme detail page is client-rendered and could not be read directly) |
| HSFDC — Haryana (State Channelising Agency) | hscfdc.org.in — Head office: Bay No. 53-54, Sector-2, Panchkula – 134109; phone 0172-2584438 |
| NSKFDC head office | NTSC, 3rd Floor, E-Block, NSIC, Okhla Industrial Area Estate-III, New Delhi – 110020; phone 011-26382476/77/78; email [email protected] |
| Manual Scavenger survey list | mssurvey.nic.in — final list under the MS Act, 2013; if the name is on the list, no occupation certificate is needed |
| PIB — NSKFDC achievement (11 September 2026) | pib.gov.in — Rs 3,365.93 crore, 6,10,902 beneficiaries |
| Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment | socialjustice.gov.in — ministry website |
Related guides — also read: Haryana Mahila Adhikarita Yojana 2026: Rs 2 Lakh Loan for Safai Karamchari Women, Eligibility & Apply | Haryana BC Education Loan 2026: Up to Rs 15 Lakh at 4% Interest, Eligibility & Apply | Haryana SC Self-Employment Loan Scheme: Up to Rs 2 Lakh, Last Date 31 December | Central Government Mudra Yojana Haryana 2026: Loans up to Rs 20 Lakh, Eligibility & Apply | Central Government PM Vishwakarma Scheme Haryana 2026: Loans up to Rs 3 Lakh, Eligibility & Apply
Disclaimer
This guide was prepared on 8 November 2026 from official sources available at the time — NSKFDC’s Lending Policies & Guidelines (LPG, 02.09.2026), NSKFDC’s “How to Apply” process, the PIB release (11 September 2026), the HSFDC Haryana application drive (UNI, 18 October 2026) and the myScheme portal. The loan amount, interest rate and process can change over time — confirm the latest information from your district HSFDC office (0172-2584438) or NSKFDC before applying. Where sources differ or information could not be verified, the guide says so clearly. Viksit Haryana is not an official portal of any government department.
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