Subsidy & Loan Schemes for Women Entrepreneurs
Women entrepreneurship is growing rapidly in India, and the government along with financial institutions are offering several subsidy and loan schemes to support women-led businesses. These schemes provide financial assistance, lower interest rates, and easier access to credit, empowering women to start and expand their ventures.
[Image of group of women entrepreneurs working]Popular Loan & Subsidy Schemes
1. Stand-Up India Scheme
- Provides loans between ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore for women entrepreneurs.
- Focuses on manufacturing, services, or trading businesses.
- No collateral required (covered under Credit Guarantee Scheme).
2. PMEGP (Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme)
- Provides subsidy of 15–35% on project costs.
- Women entrepreneurs get higher subsidy benefits.
- Suitable for small-scale manufacturing and service units.
3. Mudra Yojana for Women (PMMY)
- Loans up to ₹10 lakhs under Shishu, Kishor, and Tarun categories.
- No collateral required.
- Interest rates are generally lower for women borrowers in some banks.
4. Annapurna Scheme
- Supports women entrepreneurs setting up food catering businesses.
- Loan up to ₹50,000 for working capital like kitchen equipment, utensils, etc.
5. Dena Shakti Scheme
- Offered by public sector banks exclusively for women.
- Provides loans up to ₹20 lakh for agriculture, manufacturing, and small businesses.
- Interest rate concessions available.
6. Mahila Udyam Nidhi Scheme
- Provides financial support up to ₹10 lakh for women to set up new small-scale businesses.
- Focus on promoting self-employment among women.
7. Udyogini Scheme
- Provides loans up to ₹3 lakh for retail, agriculture, and allied activities.
- Interest-free loans available for widows, disabled, and economically weaker women.
Benefits of These Schemes
- Easy access to credit without heavy collateral requirements
- Lower interest rates and higher subsidy percentages for women
- Encouragement for women to start MSMEs, manufacturing, trading, and service units
- Support from banks, NBFCs, and government agencies
Conclusion
Government and financial institutions are making strong efforts to encourage women entrepreneurship in India. With multiple loan subsidies, concessional interest rates, and credit guarantee schemes, women now have more opportunities to turn their business ideas into reality.
🚀 Need Assistance?
If you’re a woman entrepreneur looking for financial assistance, our team can help you choose the best subsidy or loan scheme and assist with project reports, loan documentation, and compliance support.