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Between April 2022 and March 2025, the Indian government sanctioned nearly ₹29,000 crore in loans to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and women entrepreneurs under the Stand-Up India Scheme, according to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Empowering Inclusive Entrepreneurship
The Stand-Up India Scheme, launched on April 5, 2016, aims to promote greenfield enterprises by offering loans from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore to at least one SC/ST borrower and one woman borrower per bank branch. These loans are provided by scheduled commercial banks to support ventures in manufacturing, services, trading, and agriculture-allied sectors.
Loan Distribution Highlights (April 2022 – March 2025)
| Category | Loan Accounts | Amount Sanctioned (₹ Crore) |
|---|---|---|
| Women Entrepreneurs | 86,738 | 20,521.41 |
| SC Entrepreneurs | 30,145 | 6,437.59 |
| ST Entrepreneurs | 9,625 | 2,037.15 |
| Total | 126,508 | 28,996.15 |
Support Through StandUp Mitra Portal
The official portal www.standupmitra.in offers end-to-end guidance for aspiring SC/ST and women entrepreneurs. It includes:
- Step-by-step assistance for loan applications
- Access to skilling centres and mentoring support
- Links to entrepreneurship development programs and district industries centres
- Contact details for relevant agencies
Eligible Sectors for Greenfield Enterprises
- Manufacturing
- Services
- Trading
- Agriculture-allied activities
Why This Matters
The Stand-Up India Scheme is a transformative initiative that fosters economic empowerment among historically underserved communities. By providing access to capital and support infrastructure, it helps bridge the entrepreneurial gap for SC/ST and women entrepreneurs across India.
