Over the recent years, governments worldwide have acknowledged the importance of women’s entrepreneurship in economic development. As we strive for gender equality and financial inclusion, initiatives are underway to help women start, run and grow their enterprises. By 2025, several schemes will remain significant support pillars for women entrepreneurs. This article discusses six government-backed loan schemes for women entrepreneurs: the Annapurna Scheme, the Mudra Yojana, the Start-up India Scheme, the Stree Shakti Yojana, the Cent Kalyani Scheme and the Udyogini Scheme.
Annapurna Scheme
The Annapurna Scheme was launched as a flagship initiative to support women entrepreneurs in the food and catering business. Financial support is provided to women wanting to start micro-enterprises in food, such as catering services, tiffin centres, or small snack manufacturing.
Key Features of Annapurna Scheme:
- Loan Amount: Women can take up to Rs 50,000 under this scheme.
- Repayment Period: The loan must be paid back in full between 1 to 36 months, with a 1-month grace period.
- No Collateral Requirement: Loans under this scheme require no collateral in most cases, making them easy for first-time entrepreneurs to obtain.
- Eligibility: Must have relevant skills or experience in the food industry and submit a complete business plan.
Fulfilling not only the money for the women but also giving them something that can build their regular food industry as a way to gain their profession.
Mudra Yojana
Another major scheme that provides financial aid to women entrepreneurs is Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY). It caters to three levels of business growth- Shishu, Kishor, and Tarun.
Key Features of Mudra Yojana:
- Loan Amount: Women can avail of loans under Shishu ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 50,000, under Kishor from Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 lakh, and under Tarun from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.
- Interest Rates: This scheme provides competitive interest rates, typically lower than the prevailing market interest rates.
- Collateral Free: Loans under Mudra Yojana are collateral that enhances accessibility.
- Eligibility: Any small or micro-enterprise other than a corporation or farm. Under this scheme, women are encouraged to apply for business loans.
Through the Mudra Yojana, millions of women have established and grown their businesses, especially in textiles, handicrafts and small-scale manufacturing.
Start-up India Scheme
The Start-up India Scheme was launched in 2016 as a flagship campaign to facilitate nationwide entrepreneurship.
The scheme alone is not a women’s scheme but offers special incentives and benefits to women entrepreneurs.
Key Features of the Start-up India Scheme:
- Easy Registration Process: The simplified registration process allows women entrepreneurs to register their companies online.
- Tax Advantages: Income tax is exempted for the first 3 years of eligible start-ups.
- Access to Funding: The scheme provides access to funds through a ‘Fund of Funds’ managed by SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India).
- Incubation Support: In addition, incubation support, which includes mentorship, networking opportunities, and incubation facilities for women-led start-ups, is beneficial.
It focuses on new business models in fields such as technology, education, healthcare, and sustainability.
The Start-up India Scheme also enables women to advance into different and high-growth industries by promoting innovative ideas and offering financial assistance.
Stree Shakti Yojana
This scheme is intended for women entrepreneurs in self-help groups (SHGs). The initiative encourages women’s entrepreneurship by supporting them both financially and technically.
Key Features of Stree Shakti Yojana:
- Loan Amount: Maximum Unsecured Loans Up To Rs 1 Lakh.
- Interest Concession: The loans offered to women entrepreneurs under this scheme are charged with discounted interest rates.
- Eligibility: All women belonging to SHGs who have completed the prescribed entrepreneurship training.
- Sectoral Focus: The scheme will mainly help the businesses involved in handicrafts, tailoring, and small-scale production.
The objective of Stree Shakti Yojana is to empower women by facilitating the gathering of resources and collectively operating and working through Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in a community-centred economy.
Cent Kalyani Scheme
Cent Kalyani Scheme This scheme is provided by the Central Bank of India for women entrepreneurs who want to start or expand their businesses. Its services span various industries, including small-scale manufacturing, retail trade, and agriculture.
Key Features Cent Kalyani Scheme:
- Loan Amount: Women can get up to Rs 50 lakh under this loan scheme.
- No Collateral: No need for collateral.
- Interest Rates: Convenient interest rates are chargeable with no processing charges.
- Eligibility criteria: The scheme is available for women entrepreneurs, new or existing, who are engaged in manufacturing, services, or trading activities.
One could agree that the flexibility and broad applicability of the Cent Kalyani Scheme make it an attractive option for women entrepreneurs from various industries.
Udyogini Scheme
The Udyogini Scheme is a programme for women’s entrepreneurship and the Development of Micro and Small Enterprises. It is especially aimed at women belonging to economically weaker sections of society.
Key Features of the Udyogini Scheme:
- Loan Amount: Up to Rs 1 lakh depending on the SBI Business requirement.
- Interest Subsidy: To provide affordability, interest subsidies are provided.
- Eligibility Criteria: Men and women aged 18–45 with family incomes less than Rs 50,000 per annum are eligible. The income limit is relaxed for widows and differently abled women.
- Eligible Sectors: The scheme applies to diverse sectors like agriculture, retail, and small-scale industries.
Allowing low-income women to begin as low-income entrepreneurs without facing financial obstacles promotes proentrepreneurship.
The Importance of Supporting Women Entrepreneurs
Women entrepreneurs are essential to the economy, as they create jobs, stimulate innovation and promote sustainable economic growth. However, they remain subject to unique constraints, such as limited access to finance, societal expectations and lack of mentorship. However, the above shows the cardinal challenges these women entrepreneurs face in their journey to economic independence and that government-backed schemes such as these serve a great purpose in addressing these issues and fostering a culture of success for women leaders in business.
How to Apply for These Schemes
The schemes are often easy to apply for and sometimes digital. For more information, women entrepreneurs can check the official websites of the respective schemes or contact the banks nominated under them. Some common documents you will need are identity and address proof, business plan, and income proof.
Conclusion
After targeted government interventions, women entrepreneurs seem to have a promising future in 2025. The reason behind economic independence and empowerment of women is not limited to financial target schemes like Annapurna, Mudra Yojana, Start-up India, Stree Shakti, Cent Kalyani, Udyogini, etc., but also at large change generators at work through these schemes, allowing women to break free from the boundaries of economic barriers and march forward towards the path of their dreams. Women entrepreneurs can fulfil their business dreams and contribute to a more equitable and prosperous society by availing of these schemes.
These initiatives also foster comprehensive economic advance by encouraging innovation, job creation and financial inclusion. With proper infrastructure and support, women business owners have been changing the vein for their future generations. Governments, financial institutions, and societies must institutionalise and expand such schemes at all levels to create a vibrant ecosystem of women entrepreneurs.
