I'm a general category woman. Am I eligible?

Yes! Women of ALL categories (General, OBC, SC, ST) are eligible for Stand Up India. The scheme is for two groups: (1) SC/ST individuals (male or female), AND (2) ALL women. A general category woman entrepreneur is fully eligible.

Can two people apply jointly?

Yes. You can have a partnership or company, but the SC/ST and/or woman applicant must hold at least 51% shareholding and must be the controlling partner/director. For example, a woman can partner with her husband, but she must hold majority stake.

I already run a small business. Can I apply?

No — Stand Up India is only for greenfield (new) enterprises. If you already run a business and want expansion funding, consider PM Mudra Yojana (up to ₹10 lakh) or regular business loans. However, if you're starting a completely new, separate business, you can apply even if you have another existing business.

What if the bank rejects my application?

Ask for written reasons for rejection. Common reasons include: poor CIBIL score, insufficient business plan, or the branch has already exhausted its Stand Up India quota. If rejected unfairly, escalate to the bank's Zonal Manager, contact standupmitra.in for support, or approach the District Lead Bank Manager.

Is there any subsidy or grant component?

No — Stand Up India is purely a loan scheme with no grant or subsidy. You must repay the full amount with interest. The benefit is guaranteed access to credit (which SC/ST and women entrepreneurs often struggle to get) and CGTMSE guarantee cover that reduces collateral requirements.

Active SchemeUpdated: March 2026

🚀

Stand Up India Scheme

Bank loans from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore specifically for SC/ST and women entrepreneurs to start greenfield enterprises

Loan Range

₹10L–₹1 Cr

For

SC/ST & Women

Loans Given

2.3+ Lakh

Amount Disbursed

₹40,000+ Cr

📝Apply Online ✅Check Eligibility 📞Helpline

📖What is Stand Up India Scheme?

Stand Up India is a flagship scheme launched on 5 April 2016 to promote entrepreneurship among Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Women. The scheme mandates that every bank branch in India must give at least ONE loan between ₹10 lakh and ₹1 crore to an SC/ST borrower AND at least ONE loan to a Woman borrower for setting up a new (greenfield) enterprise.

This means there are at least 2.5 lakh potential loans available across India's 1.25 lakh+ bank branches every year. The loans cover both manufacturing and services sectors — you can start a factory, a restaurant, a salon, a coaching center, a clinic, a transport business, or any other enterprise.

The scheme is facilitated through the Stand Up India portal (standupmitra.in) which connects aspiring entrepreneurs with bank branches. The portal also provides handholding support including help with business plan preparation, mentoring, and connecting with existing entrepreneurs for guidance.

Since launch, over 2.3 lakh loans have been sanctioned worth more than ₹40,000 crore. More than 81% of these loans have gone to women entrepreneurs, making Stand Up India one of the most impactful women's entrepreneurship programs in the world.

✅Eligibility

Who can applySC/ST individuals AND/OR Women (18+ years) — any combination that includes at least one SC/ST or woman borrower

Enterprise typeGreenfield enterprise only — new business, NOT expansion of existing business

ShareholdingSC/ST and/or woman entrepreneur must hold at least 51% shareholding and controlling stake

BorrowerMust not be a defaulter on any bank loan. Enterprise should not be already funded by another government scheme.

Loan amount₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore — composite loan covering term loan + working capital

CollateralUp to ₹10 lakh — no collateral. Above ₹10 lakh — bank may ask for collateral but CGTMSE guarantee cover is available

RepaymentMaximum 7 years with a moratorium period of up to 18 months

💼What Business Can You Start?

Stand Up India covers both manufacturing and services sectors. Some popular businesses started under this scheme:

Manufacturing: Food processing unit, garment factory, handicrafts production, printing press, packaging unit, furniture making, agro-processing, herbal products, spice grinding, paper cup/plate manufacturing.

Services: Beauty salon/spa, restaurant/catering, coaching center/tuition classes, diagnostic lab/clinic, pharmacy, transport business (cab/bus/truck), event management, IT services, travel agency, day care center.

Trading: Wholesale distribution, retail store, e-commerce business, franchise of established brands.

The business must be a 'greenfield' enterprise — meaning a brand new business. If you already have a running business, this loan is not applicable. But if you're starting a completely new venture (even if you've had businesses before), you qualify.

💰How the Loan Works

The Stand Up India loan is a composite loan — it covers both your term loan (for buying assets like machinery, equipment, furniture, vehicle) and working capital (for running expenses like raw materials, rent, salaries for initial months).

Maximum loan: ₹1 crore (combined term loan + working capital). Minimum loan: ₹10 lakh. You need to bring at least 10% of the project cost as your own margin money — the bank covers the remaining 90%.

Interest rate: Bank's standard lending rate (MCLR + spread). Typically 10-12% per annum. This is similar to regular business loan rates — the advantage of Stand Up India is guaranteed access to credit, not subsidized interest.

Repayment: Maximum 7 years. The bank can give you up to 18 months of moratorium (no EMI period) after disbursement to allow your business to stabilize before repayments begin.

Credit guarantee: The government provides credit guarantee cover through CGTMSE (Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises) — this reduces the bank's risk and makes them more willing to lend without heavy collateral.

📝How to Apply

Visit the Stand Up India portal. Click 'Register as Aspiring Entrepreneur'. Fill in your details including category (SC/ST/Woman), proposed business activity, and loan amount needed.

Get connected with a bank branch

The portal matches you with the nearest bank branch that has Stand Up India quota available. You can also directly approach any bank branch — every branch is mandated to give at least one SC/ST and one woman loan.

Prepare business plan with SIDBI support

The portal offers free handholding support — help with preparing a business plan, financial projections, and loan application. You can also get support from NABARD's LEDP (Livelihood and Enterprise Development Programme) or DIC (District Industries Centre).

Submit loan application at bank

Visit the matched bank branch with your business plan, KYC documents, caste certificate (for SC/ST), and enterprise details. The bank evaluates your plan and sanctions the loan.

Loan disbursed and business begins

Loan is disbursed in stages (term loan for asset purchase + working capital in account). Start your enterprise and repay as per the agreed schedule.

⚠️Every bank branch is MANDATED to give Stand Up India loans. If a bank refuses your application without valid reason, escalate to the bank's Regional Manager or file a complaint on standupmitra.in. You can also approach the District Lead Bank.