Stand-Up India Scheme Empowers SC/ST and Women Entrepreneurs with Nearly Rs 29,000 Crore Sanctioned Since April 2022

Unknown Apr 02, 2026 850 Views

The flagship Stand-Up India Scheme of the Central Government has approved loans of about Rs 29,000 crore to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and women entrepreneurs from April 2022 to March 2025, promoting inclusive growth and economic empowerment of marginalized sections throughout In...

Key Highlights: Financial Support and Beyond

The scheme is for providing bank loans of Rs 10 lakh to Rs 1 crore to at least one SC/ST borrower and one woman borrower under each scheduled commercial bank branch for new greenfield enterprises in manufacturing, services, trading, and allied agriculture-related activities.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted that beyond financial aid, Stand-Up India offers extensive guidance including skill development through Skilling Centres, mentorship, Entrepreneurship Development Programmes, and access to District Industries Centres for holistic entrepreneurial support.

The online platform standupmitra.in offers end-to-end, user-friendly support from training to submission of loan applications, making it easy to access for potential entrepreneurs particularly in rural and remote locations.

Since its inception in April 2016, the scheme has been incubating business ideas into enterprises progressively, generating employment and playing an important role in India's inclusive economic agenda.

From March 2018 to March 2024, sanctioned loans under the scheme increased from Rs 16,000 crore to more than Rs 61,000 crore, with steep rises in account numbers and loan amounts for SC, ST, as well as women entrepreneurs, highlighting the scheme's widening coverage.

The program highlights the government's dedication to shattering financial constraints and encouraging marginalized communities to become catalysts for entrepreneurial development and economic change.

The latest budget announcements feature increased funding and special support for first-time SC/ST women entrepreneurs, demonstrating ongoing emphasis on the scheme's targets.

Stand-Up India remains a cornerstone effort in promoting equitable entrepreneurship, turning aspirations into reality for thousands nationwide.
Sources: The Tribune, ANI, Inc42, SocialNews.XYZ

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