Stand-Up India Scheme: Loan, Eligibility, and How to Apply in 2025
Stand-Up India is a central government scheme that facilitates bank loans between ₹10 lakh and ₹1 crore to at least one SC/ST borrower and at least one woman borrower per bank branch, for setting up a greenfield enterprise in manufacturing, services, or the trading sector. Launched on 5 April 2016 by the Ministry of Finance and implemented through all scheduled commercial banks, Stand-Up India is designed to bring first-generation entrepreneurs from historically excluded communities into formal business credit. Applications are made through the dedicated portal at standupmitra.in.
What is the Stand-Up India Scheme?
Stand-Up India is a central government initiative launched on 5 April 2016 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, operationalised by the Ministry of Finance (Department of Financial Services) with support from SIDBI, NABARD, and scheduled commercial banks. The scheme was conceived by the Department of Financial Services following a recommendation in the Union Budget 2016–17, with the objective of promoting entrepreneurship among women and SC/ST communities — groups significantly underrepresented among formal business borrowers.
The scheme mandates that each bank branch must facilitate at least one composite loan between ₹10 lakh and ₹1 crore to at least one SC/ST borrower and at least one woman borrower for setting up a new (greenfield) enterprise. The loan covers up to 75% of the project cost, with the borrower contributing a minimum 10% as own contribution. The scheme is supported by a credit guarantee from NCGTC (National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company) to encourage banks to lend to first-time borrowers without traditional collateral.
Key Benefits of the Stand-Up India Scheme
| Benefit Type | Amount / Description | Applicable Category |
|---|---|---|
| Loan range | ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore | SC/ST borrowers and women borrowers |
| Project cost coverage | Up to 75% of the project cost | All eligible borrowers |
| Borrower contribution | Minimum 10% of project cost (own equity) | All eligible borrowers |
| Collateral / guarantee | NCGTC credit guarantee cover available | Loans under scheme limits |
| Composite loan | Covers term loan + working capital in a single facility | All eligible borrowers |
| Repayment tenure | Up to 7 years | All eligible borrowers |
| Moratorium period | Up to 18 months from disbursement | All eligible borrowers |
| Standupmitra portal | Online portal for loan application, tracking, and handholding support | All eligible borrowers |
| Handholder support | SIDBI, NABARD, and Livelihood Business Incubators (LBIs) provide mentoring and pre-loan training | First-time entrepreneurs |
Eligibility Criteria
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Borrower category | SC, ST, or woman (any caste/community) — at least one from each category per bank branch |
| Age | 18 years and above |
| Enterprise type | Greenfield enterprise only — must be a new (first-time) venture in manufacturing, services, or trading |
| Existing NPA | Must not have any default with any bank or financial institution |
| Previous government subsidy | Must not be availing a similar loan from another central government scheme simultaneously |
| Ownership | For non-individual enterprises (company/LLP), at least 51% shareholding and controlling stake must be held by SC/ST or woman applicant |
Eligibility is subject to revision. Verify at standupmitra.in before applying.
Documents Required
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Aadhaar card | KYC identity |
| PAN card | Tax identity and CIBIL check |
| Caste certificate | SC/ST category proof (issued by competent authority) |
| Address proof | Aadhaar / voter ID / utility bill |
| Business plan / project report | Detailed plan with cost estimates, revenue projections, and activity description |
| Quotation for machinery / equipment | For capital expenditure component |
| Bank statements — last 6–12 months | Financial history if any existing business |
| No-dues certificate | Confirmation of no NPA with other banks |
| Company incorporation / partnership documents | If applying as a company, LLP, or partnership |
| Passport-size photographs | 2 recent photographs |
How to Apply for the Stand-Up India Scheme
Online — via Standupmitra Portal
- Visit standupmitra.in
- Click Register and create an account with your mobile number and email
- Fill in personal details, category (SC/ST/Woman), business type, and location
- Submit the application — it is automatically routed to the bank branch nearest to your business location
- The bank reviews the application and contacts you for document verification and credit assessment
- On approval, the composite loan (term + working capital) is sanctioned and disbursed
- NCGTC guarantee is applied by the bank on your behalf
Offline — via Bank Branch
- Visit the nearest scheduled commercial bank branch directly
- Request the Stand-Up India loan application
- Submit with all required documents and a detailed project report
- The bank assesses the proposal and sanctions the loan if eligible
Handholder / Incubation Support
- If you are a first-time entrepreneur and need support developing a business plan, apply for Handholder services at standupmitra.in
- SIDBI and NABARD empanelled handholders provide pre-loan mentoring, business plan preparation, and skill training at no cost to the borrower
PaisaOne does not process Stand-Up India applications. Apply at standupmitra.in or your nearest bank branch.
How to Check Stand-Up India Application Status
- Log in to standupmitra.in with your registered credentials
- Navigate to My Application to view the current status — pending, under process, sanctioned, or disbursed
- Contact your bank branch directly for update on credit assessment status
- SIDBI helpline (Stand-Up India): 1800-22-6753 (toll-free)
- Grievance: pgportal.gov.in under Ministry of Finance
Stand-Up India loans go up to ₹1 crore — but business growth beyond the startup phase often needs additional working capital. Compare business loan options from 30+ banks and NBFCs on PaisaOne to fund expansion once your enterprise is established.
Stand-Up India — Loan Coverage Calculation
The scheme covers up to 75% of the project cost as a composite loan, with the borrower contributing a minimum of 10% as own equity. The remaining 15% can be sourced from convergence schemes (subsidies, grants, or state schemes).
Worked Example — Woman entrepreneur, manufacturing enterprise:
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Total project cost | ₹50,00,000 |
| Maximum Stand-Up India loan (75%) | ₹37,50,000 |
| Borrower's own contribution (minimum 10%) | ₹5,00,000 |
| Convergence (state subsidy, PMEGP component, etc.) | ₹7,50,000 |
| Loan repayment tenure | 7 years |
| Moratorium | 18 months |
Interest rate is set by the lending bank — typically base rate + applicable spread. Verify with your bank.
Stand-Up India — UPSC Key Facts
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Launch date | 5 April 2016 |
| Launched by | PM Narendra Modi |
| Nodal ministry | Ministry of Finance (DFS) |
| Implementation | Scheduled commercial banks; SIDBI and NABARD as supporting institutions |
| Credit guarantee | NCGTC (National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company) |
| Loan range | ₹10 lakh – ₹1 crore |
| Target beneficiaries | At least 1 SC/ST + 1 woman per bank branch |
| Enterprise type | Greenfield (new) enterprises only — manufacturing, services, trading |
| Portal | standupmitra.in |
| Bank branches covered | All ~1.25 lakh scheduled commercial bank branches in India |
| Recommended by | Budget 2016–17 speech by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley |
| Companion schemes | PMEGP, MUDRA, CGTMSE |
| UPSC angle | "Stand-Up India" vs "Start-Up India" — frequently confused; Stand-Up India is for SC/ST + women; Start-Up India is for innovation-based startups (DPIIT) |
State-Wise Stand-Up India Implementation
| State | Lead Banks | State-Specific Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh | SBI, PNB, Bank of Baroda | Highest applicant volume; state MSME policy adds interest subvention for SC/ST enterprises |
| Maharashtra | SBI, Bank of Maharashtra, Union Bank | Strong woman entrepreneur base in Pune and Mumbai; MIDC cluster support convergence |
| Tamil Nadu | SBI, Indian Bank, Canara Bank | Strong woman entrepreneur enrolment; Tirupur textile cluster prominent |
| Rajasthan | SBI, Bank of Baroda, SBBJ | Handicraft and stone-based enterprises prominent; SC/ST artisan access improved |
| Karnataka | SBI, Canara Bank, Karnataka Bank | Bengaluru tech services and manufacturing applications strong |
| Andhra Pradesh | SBI, Indian Bank, AP Grameena Vikas Bank | Convergence with AP MSME policy interest subvention |
| Bihar | SBI, Central Bank of India, Bihar Gramin Bank | High SC/ST applicant base; agro-processing and construction prominent |
| Gujarat | SBI, Bank of Baroda, Dena Bank | Diary, food processing, and chemical enterprises; GESIA linkage |
| West Bengal | SBI, UCO Bank, UBI | Jute, leather, handicraft enterprises; strong SC/ST application flow from rural districts |
| Madhya Pradesh | SBI, Bank of India, Central Bank | Tribal entrepreneur applications in SC/ST category high; food processing prominent |
What is the Stand-Up India Scheme and who is it for? Stand-Up India is a central government scheme launched on 5 April 2016 by the Ministry of Finance to facilitate composite bank loans between ₹10 lakh and ₹1 crore to SC/ST borrowers and women entrepreneurs for setting up new (greenfield) enterprises. Each scheduled commercial bank branch is mandated to sanction at least one such loan to an SC/ST borrower and one to a woman borrower. Applications are processed through standupmitra.in and all scheduled commercial bank branches.
What are the main benefits of Stand-Up India? Stand-Up India provides a composite loan (term loan + working capital) covering up to 75% of the project cost, with repayment tenure up to 7 years and a moratorium of up to 18 months. NCGTC credit guarantee cover is available. Pre-loan mentoring and business plan support is provided through SIDBI and NABARD empanelled handholders at no cost. The scheme removes the collateral barrier for SC/ST and woman entrepreneurs entering manufacturing, services, or trading.
Who is eligible for the Stand-Up India Scheme? SC, ST, and women entrepreneurs (any caste/community) aged 18 and above are eligible, provided the enterprise is a new (greenfield) venture — not an existing business. The applicant must not have any existing loan default with any bank. For non-individual enterprises, the SC/ST or woman applicant must hold at least 51% shareholding and controlling stake. The scheme covers manufacturing, services, and trading sectors.
How do I apply for the Stand-Up India Scheme? Apply at standupmitra.in by registering with your mobile number and email, selecting your category (SC/ST/Woman), and submitting the application with business plan and documents. The portal routes the application to the nearest bank branch for credit assessment. Offline applications can also be submitted directly at any scheduled commercial bank branch. For pre-loan mentoring, request handholder support at standupmitra.in. Call SIDBI's helpline at 1800-22-6753 for assistance.
