🌱 Udyam Desk
Stand-Up India 2026: Guide to ₹10 Lakh–₹1 Crore Loans for SC/ST and Women Entrepreneurs
Stand-Up India offers bank loans of ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore for SC/ST and women entrepreneurs — eligibility, greenfield conditions, application process and the standupmitra.in portal — a complete guide.
Not a small shop — Stand-Up India is the central scheme built for SC/ST and women entrepreneurs to set up projects of ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore. Every bank branch is supposed to extend this loan to at least one SC/ST and one woman borrower.
The scheme’s core structure
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Loan limit | ₹10 lakh – ₹1 crore (as per project requirement) |
| Who | SC/ST or woman entrepreneur, age 21+ |
| Unit | New (greenfield) — manufacturing, services, trade, allied agriculture |
| Partnership | If joint, the eligible category’s share must be 51%+ |
| Portal | standupmitra.in |
Understand the greenfield condition
This loan is only for first-time new units:
- You were not previously a 51%+ partner in a similar activity
- Taking over an old business or buying someone else’s unit does not qualify
- An entirely new project — new registration, new setup
What kinds of projects qualify?
Manufacturing units (food processing, garments, furniture), services (hospitals-diagnostics, logistics, educational institutions, cold storage), trade (wholesale/distribution), and allied agricultural activities — wherever there is a clear path to regular income.
Two ways to apply
- Directly at a bank: go to the branch with a project report + documents — the portal lists the banks that give Stand-Up loans (nearly all scheduled banks)
- standupmitra.in: register online → enter project details → the portal connects you to eligible banks and handholding agencies in your district
Required documents: Aadhaar, caste/category certificate (for SC/ST), proof of educational qualification, project report, bank statement, premises/lease papers, machinery quotations.
After getting the loan
- Handholding: agencies empanelled on the portal provide advice and support for the first 2 years (marketing, paperwork, GST)
- Stack government benefits: Udyam registration, CGTMSE guarantee and state subsidy where applicable — further reducing the cost of the loan
- Repayment discipline: with a large loan, credit history is the most valuable asset — build the habit of regular instalments from the first 6 months itself
Read more: PMEGP, All routes to collateral-free loans and Udyam portal.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What is the loan limit under Stand-Up India?
₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore — depending on the project's requirement. For new units in manufacturing, services, trade and allied agricultural activities. Interest linked to the RuPrime lending rate applies based on the loan rating and project.
What does 'greenfield' mean?
A brand-new, first-time unit — where the applicant was not previously a 51% or greater partner in a similar activity. Buying or expanding an old business does not qualify for this loan.
What are the conditions for a partnership business?
The SC/ST or woman entrepreneur (alone or jointly) must hold 51% or more of the partnership. In a sole proprietorship, that entrepreneur is the full owner.