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Top 10 Government Schemes for Women Entrepreneurs in India 2026
Author
Shoonya Team
According to MSME estimates, women lead over 20% of registered micro, small, and medium enterprises in the country. Yet, access to formal credit, institutional support, and growth capital remains one of the biggest challenges for many women-led businesses. To bridge this gap, the Government of India has introduced several targeted initiatives thatsupport women entrepreneurs through business loans, credit guarantees, subsidies, skill development, and market access programs.
This guide explains the key govt schemes for female entrepreneurs in India, their objectives, and check your eligibility.
List of Government Schemes for Women Entrepreneurs in India (2026)
| Scheme Name | Year Introduced | Introduced By |
| Stand-Up India Scheme | 2016 | Ministry of Finance, Government of India |
| Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) | 2015 | Ministry of Finance, Government of India |
| Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) | 2008 | Ministry of MSME |
| Mahila Coir Yojana | 2014 | Ministry of MSME (Coir Board) |
| TREAD Scheme | 2004 | Ministry of MSME |
| Udyogini Scheme | 1997 | Government of India (Implemented via State Agencies) |
| Mahila Udyam Nidhi Scheme | 1993 | SIDBI |
| Bharatiya Mahila Bank Business Loan | 2013 | Bharatiya Mahila Bank (Government-owned; later merged with SBI) |
| Dena Shakti Scheme | 2008 | Dena Bank (Public Sector Bank; now merged with Bank of Baroda) |
| Cent Kalyani Scheme | 2017 | Central Bank of India |
| Women Entrepreneur Fund | 2016 | SIDBI |
| Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) | 2018 | NITI Aayog |
Note: Some schemes are implemented through public sector banks or have undergone institutional mergers. Applicants should verify current availability with the respective bank or official portal.
Top 10 Government Schemes for Female Entrepreneurs in India
The government has introduced multiple schemes to support women entrepreneurs across business sizes, sectors, and growth stages. Below is a detailed overview of the key government schemes available to women entrepreneurs in India.
1. Stand-Up India Scheme
The Stand-Up India Scheme was launched to promote entrepreneurship among women and individuals from SC/ST communities by providing structured bank loans for new businesses.
Objective: To encourage women entrepreneurs to set up greenfield enterprises in manufacturing, trading, or services.
Key Features
- Facilitates bank loans through scheduled commercial banks
- At least one woman borrower per bank branch
- Supports first-time entrepreneurs
- Includes handholding support through the Stand-Up Mitra portal
Loan Amount
- ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore
- Composite loan (includes term loan + working capital)
Who Can Apply
- Women entrepreneurs aged 18+
- Must set up a new (greenfield) enterprise
- The majority stake (51%+) must be held by the woman applicant
2. Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY)
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana provides collateral-free loans to micro and small businesses, including women-led enterprises.
Objective: To support non-corporate, non-farm small businesses through accessible credit.
Key Features
- Collateral-free loans
- Available through banks, NBFCs, and microfinance institutions
- Designed for micro-enterprises
Loan Categories
- Shishu – Up to ₹50,000
- Kishor – ₹50,000 to ₹5 lakh
- Tarun – ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh
Who Can Apply
- Women running small shops, service units, or home-based businesses
- Existing or new micro-enterprises
3. Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP)
PMEGP is a credit-linked subsidy scheme that promotes self-employment by establishing micro-enterprises in rural and urban areas.
Objective: To generate employment opportunities by supporting new micro-enterprises, with special benefits for women entrepreneurs.
Key Features
- Credit-linked subsidy scheme
- Implemented by the Ministry of MSME
- Executed through KVIC, KVIBs, and District Industries Centres (DICs)
- Higher subsidy rates for women compared to general category applicants
Financial Assistance
- Maximum project cost:
- Up to ₹50 lakh (manufacturing)
- Up to ₹20 lakh (services/business)
- Subsidy for women:
- Up to 25% (urban areas)
- Up to 35% (rural areas)
Who Can Apply
- Women above 18 years of age
- New entrepreneurs starting micro-enterprises
- Minimum 8th pass required for projects above certain limits
4. Mahila Coir Yojana
Mahila Coir Yojana is a women-focused initiative to increase participation in the coir industry by providing training and financial assistance for equipment.
Objective: To empower women, especially in rural and coastal areas, by promoting self-employment in the coir sector.
Key Features
- Implemented by the Coir Board under the Ministry of MSME
- Provides structured skill training in coir spinning and processing
- Encourages women to start home-based or small-scale units
- Focused on livelihood generation in traditional industries
Financial Assistance
- Subsidy support for motorised ratts and coir-processing equipment
- Training programmes conducted through authorised centres
- Support aimed at reducing inthe itial capital cost for women
Who Can Apply
- Women interested in coir-based production activities
- Particularly beneficial for women in coastal and rural regions
- Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria set by the Coir Board
5. TREAD Scheme: (Trade-Related Entrepreneurship Assistance and Development Scheme)
The TREAD Scheme is designed to strengthen women-led micro-enterprises by combining financial support with training and capacity-building.
Objective: To promote sustainable entrepreneurship among women through credit facilitation and skill development support.
Key Features
- Introduced by the Ministry of MSME
- Financial assistance is routed through NGOs
- Focuses on both training and credit support
- Encourages capacity building before credit linkage
Financial Assistance
- The government provides grant support for training programmes
- Credit is extended through lending institutions via NGOs
- Designed primarily for micro-level enterprises
Who Can Apply
- Women entrepreneurs operating or planning micro enterprises
- Women who require both financial support and structured training
- Applications are generally routed through eligible NGOs
6. Udyogini Scheme
The Udyogini Scheme is designed to promote self-employment among women by providing subsidised financial assistance for small business activities.
Objective: To support women, especially from economically weaker sections, in starting micro and small enterprises across manufacturing, trade, and services.
Key Features
- Implemented through state governments in association with banks
- Focuses on women from low-income backgrounds
- Covers a wide range of small business activities
- Provides financial support along with possible subsidy benefits
- Encourages entrepreneurship in rural and semi-urban areas
Financial Assistance
- Loan amount varies by state and implementing agency
- Subsidy support available for eligible categories
- Designed for small-scale income-generating activities
Who Can Apply
- Women entrepreneurs aged 18 and above
- Women from economically weaker sections
- Applicants meeting income and category criteria defined by the state
7. Mahila Udyam Nidhi Scheme
The Mahila Udyam Nidhi Scheme is designed to encourage women to establish and expand small-scale industrial enterprises by providing institutional financing.
Objective: To promote women-led small-scale industries by offering long-term financial assistance for project setup and expansion.
Key Features
- Introduced by SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India)
- Supports new and existing women entrepreneurs
- Focuses on small-scale and manufacturing-based enterprises
- Encourages modernisation and business expansion
Financial Assistance
- Loan support of up to ₹10 lakh
- Can be used for:
- Setting up new industrial units
- Expansion of existing businesses
- Purchase of machinery or equipment
Who Can Apply
- Women entrepreneurs establishing small-scale industries
- Existing women-led enterprises are planning expansion
- Applicants meeting the SIDBI eligibility norms
8. Bharatiya Mahila Bank Business Loan
The Bharatiya Mahila Bank Business Loan was introduced to improve women’s access to formal banking credit and promote women-led enterprises across sectors.
Objective: To provide dedicated financial support to women entrepreneurs for starting or expanding their businesses.
Key Features
- Launched by Bharatiya Mahila Bank in 2013
- Designed exclusively for women borrowers
- Covered both new and existing businesses
- Offered competitive interest rates for women-led enterprises
- Later integrated into the State Bank of India (SBI) after the bank’s merger
Financial Assistance
- Business loans for:
- Business setup
- Working capital requirements
- Purchase of machinery or equipment
- Loan limits varied based on business profile and banking norms
Who Can Apply
- Women entrepreneurs with majority ownership in the enterprise
- Applicants meeting bank credit and documentation requirements
- New and existing business owners
9. Dena Shakti Scheme
The Dena Shakti Scheme was introduced to provide concessional credit support to women entrepreneurs across multiple sectors.
Objective: To promote women-led enterprises by offering loans at preferential interest rates.
Key Features
- Launched by Dena Bank in 2008
- Targeted exclusively at women entrepreneurs
- Covered sectors such as:
- Agriculture
- Manufacturing
- Micro and Small Enterprises (MSMEs)
- Retail trade
- Offered interest rate concessions for eligible applicants
- Dena Bank later merged with Bank of Baroda
Financial Assistance
- Term loans and working capital finance
- Loan limits based on business profile and banking norms
- Concessional interest rate compared to standard rates
Who Can Apply
- Women with majority ownership in the enterprise
- New or existing businesses
- Applicants meeting bank eligibility criteria
10. Cent Kalyani Scheme
The Cent Kalyani Scheme is designed to provide easier access to business loans for women entrepreneurs operating micro, small, and medium enterprises.
Objective: To strengthen women-led MSMEs by offering structured financial support.
Key Features
- Offered by the Central Bank of India
- Available for new and existing women-owned enterprises
- Supports micro, small, and medium businesses
- Provides competitive lending terms
- Covers both manufacturing and service sectors
Financial Assistance
- Term loans and working capital finance
- Loan amount based on business needs and bank assessment
- Interest rates as per prevailing bank guidelines
Who Can Apply
- Women entrepreneurs with majority ownership
- Registered MSMEs and eligible business entities
- Applicants meeting bank documentation and credit norms
Investment Schemes for Women: How Your First Salary Can Build Lifelong Wealth?
How to Apply for Government Schemes for Women Entrepreneurs
Instead of this table, add a table for missing schemes. Merge how to apply with the first table itself.
| Scheme | Eligibility | Documents Required | How to Apply (Official Link) |
| Stand-Up India Scheme | Indian women (18+) setting up new greenfield enterprise; majority stake (51%+) held by woman | Aadhaar, PAN, business plan, Udyam registration, KYC, project report | www.standupmitra.in |
| Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) | Indian women entrepreneurs running micro/small units; no minimum qualification | Aadhaar, PAN, business plan, Udyam registration (optional), bank KYC | https://www.mudra.org.in/ |
| PMEGP (Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme) | Women (18+) starting new micro enterprises; minimum 8th pass for some projects | Aadhaar, PAN, project report, Udyam certificate, educational proof, KYC | https://www.kviconline.gov.in/pmegpeportal/pmegphome/ |
| TREAD Scheme | Women entrepreneurs / SHGs requiring training + credit support | Aadhaar, PAN, business proof, NGO partner documentation (if applicable) | https://www.msmediagra.gov.in/womentread.htm |
| Mahila Coir Yojana | Women in coir-producing regions interested in coir micro-enterprise | Aadhaar, PAN, proof of residence, training certificates, business plan | http://coirboard.gov.in/ |
| Udyogini Scheme | Women (18+) from low-income backgrounds seeking micro-business loans | Aadhaar, PAN, income certificate, business plan, KYC | https://udyogini.org/ |
| Mahila Udyam Nidhi Scheme | Women planning small-scale industrial units | Aadhaar, PAN, project report, business registration, KYC | https://pipdic.in/pipdic_schemes |
| Bharatiya Mahila Bank Business Loan | Women entrepreneurs (≥51% ownership); scheme now under SBI norms | Aadhaar, PAN, business plan, Udyam registration, financials | https://46xx.in/enlightener_series/bhartiya-mahila-bank-business-loan-by-state-bank-of-india/ |
| Dena Shakti Scheme | Women entrepreneurs | Aadhaar, PAN, business plan, KYC, financials | https://46xx.in/enlightener_series/dena-shakti-scheme/ |
| Cent Kalyani Scheme | Women entrepreneurs running MSMEs | Aadhaar, PAN, Udyam registration, business plan, KYC | https://centralbank.bank.in/en/Cent_Kalyani |
| Women Entrepreneur Fund (SIDBI) | Women-led micro/small enterprises | Aadhaar, PAN, project report, Udyam certificate, financials | https://www.sidbi.in/en/ |
Discover more insights on women entrepreneurship and financial planning designed to help women scale successfully.
Conclusion
Choosing the right scheme depends on your business stage, funding requirements, and sector. While some programmes support first-time micro-entrepreneurs, others are structured for expansion, manufacturing units, or industry-specific activities. Understanding eligibility criteria, required documentation, and the application process can significantly improve the chances of approval.
Government Schemes for Women Entrepreneurs | FAQs
Popular options include Stand-Up India, Mudra Yojana, PMEGP, Udyogini Scheme, and Cent Kalyani. The best scheme depends on your business size, sector, and funding requirements.
Women can apply through government-backed schemes via bank branches or official portals like Stand-Up India or PMEGP. But the approval depends on eligibility, documentation, and credit assessment.
Some schemes, such as Mudra, offer collateral-free loans for micro businesses. Larger loans may require security in line with bank norms.
Loan limits vary by scheme, ranging from small micro-loans to funding up to ₹1 crore under Stand-Up India. Project size and eligibility determine the final amount.
Applicants must be Indian women aged 18 or older who hold majority ownership of the enterprise. Specific schemes may have additional income or sector-based criteria.
Yes, schemes such as PMEGP and Udyogini offer subsidies that reduce the repayment burden. However, subsidy percentages vary by location and category.
Source: https://www.ncw.gov.in/
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