All schemes
Loan Finance

Stand-Up India

Bank loan ₹10L to ₹1 Cr for SC/ST/women entrepreneurs

Maximum benefit
₹1 Cr
Typical processing
30–60 days from complete application to sanction
Apply on official portal

About this scheme

Stand-Up India is a Government scheme to facilitate bank loans between Rs. 10 lakh and Rs. 1 crore to at least one Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe borrower and at least one woman borrower per bank branch, for setting up a greenfield enterprise in manufacturing, services, or trading sectors. Launched in April 2016, the scheme has facilitated over Rs. 40,000 crore to 1.8 lakh+ beneficiaries.

What you get

  • Bank loan: Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 1 crore (composite — term loan + working capital)
  • 85% of project cost can be funded by bank; 15% margin money to be brought by entrepreneur
  • Interest rate: bank's MCLR + tenor premium + 3% (capped) — typically 9.5%–13.0%
  • Repayment tenure: up to 7 years (1.5-year max moratorium)
  • No collateral up to Rs. 10 lakh (CGFSI cover); collateral beyond that based on lender policy
  • RuPay debit card for working capital component
  • Convergence with CGTMSE, CLCSS, MUDRA — schemes can be stacked

Who qualifies

SC/ST and/or women entrepreneurs aged 18+ setting up a greenfield (new) enterprise. The applicant must be the majority shareholder (51%+) and controlling stakeholder of the enterprise. Eligible activities: manufacturing, services, agro-allied, and trading. Existing enterprises are not eligible — only new units. In case of non-individual enterprises (partnership, private limited), at least 51% of shareholding and controlling stake must be with SC/ST or women.

All industries qualify (no NIC restriction).

Business types
ProprietorshipsPartnershipsPrivate LimitedLLPsOne Person Companies

Available across India (central scheme).

How to apply

  1. 1Register at standupmitra.in — Stand-Up India portal
  2. 2Choose connecting agency (PSB, RRB, private bank, NBFC) and the branch nearest you
  3. 3Branch interacts: project counselling, business plan refinement, credit appraisal
  4. 4Submit full documentation: Aadhaar, PAN, caste certificate (SC/ST), project DPR, financial projections, supplier quotations
  5. 5Sanction processed by branch within 30–45 days; disbursement after agreement and security creation
  6. 6Operational hand-holding by Standup Mitra portal for 18 months post-disbursement

Key terms and conditions

  • 15% margin money from applicant — non-negotiable
  • Interest rate floats with bank's MCLR + caps
  • Repayment in EMIs after moratorium; longer tenure flexibility
  • CGFSI guarantee fee passed to borrower (similar to CGTMSE structure)
  • Annual progress review by branch

What disqualifies you

  • Existing/established businesses ineligible — only greenfield projects
  • Same applicant cannot avail multiple Stand-Up India loans
  • General category (non-SC/ST) male applicants are ineligible
  • Project cost above Rs. 1.18 crore (i.e., loan above Rs. 1 crore) not covered
  • Defaulters to any institutional lender are disqualified

Documents typically required

  • Caste certificate (SC/ST)
  • Identity + address proof
  • Business plan
  • Project cost estimate

Frequently asked questions

Q. I am a woman with an existing business — can I apply?
No, Stand-Up India funds only greenfield (new) enterprises. Existing businesses can explore MUDRA, CGTMSE, or SIDBI SMILE.
Q. Is the loan really collateral-free?
Up to Rs. 10 lakh, yes — covered by CGFSI. Beyond Rs. 10 lakh, the bank may ask for collateral based on its policy. Negotiate with the lender.
Q. What if I am an SC/ST woman — do I get extra benefit?
You qualify under both segments and many banks count you twice for branch-level performance, often making your application easier to sanction.

The content above is compiled from public information published by the scheme authority. Eligibility, benefits, and procedures are subject to change. Confirm details directly with the official portal before applying. BharatSeal does not process scheme applications.