Top 10 Government Schemes for Women Entrepreneurs in India (2025 Update)

The landscape of Indian business is rapidly transforming, with women entrepreneurs playing a pivotal role in driving economic growth and innovation. In fact, recent reports show a significant surge in women-led MSMEs, contributing substantially to the nation’s GDP. Recognizing this immense potential, the Government of India has rolled out a suite of initiatives designed to empower and support female business owners. This article provides a comprehensive 2025 guide to the top 10 government schemes for women entrepreneurs, breaking down the financial aid, training, and support systems available. These government schemes for women entrepreneurs India are more than just funding options; they are crucial women empowerment schemes India, created to level the playing field and help women turn their entrepreneurial visions into successful realities.

A Detailed Look at the Top 10 Government Schemes for Women Entrepreneurs

Navigating the various support systems can be daunting. To simplify your search, we’ve compiled a detailed list of the most impactful government initiatives and women entrepreneurship schemes in India 2025. Each scheme offers unique benefits, catering to different business stages and needs.

1. Stand-Up India Scheme

• Overview: The Stand-Up India scheme is a flagship initiative designed to promote entrepreneurship at the grassroots level, focusing on economic empowerment and job creation. Its primary objective is to finance Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and women entrepreneurs setting up a “greenfield” (new) enterprise in the manufacturing, services, or trading sector. It aims to create a robust ecosystem for new ventures led by these demographics.
• Key Benefits:
  • Loan Amount: Provides bank loans ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore.
  • Interest Rate: The interest rate is competitive, typically the Base Rate (MCLR) + 3% + Tenor Premium.
  • Collateral: The loan is secured through the Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Stand-Up India (CGFSI), meaning no collateral is required from the borrower.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • The applicant must be a woman entrepreneur or belong to the SC/ST category.
  • The business must be a new venture.
  • In the case of a non-individual enterprise (like a private limited company), a woman entrepreneur must hold at least 51% of the shareholding and controlling stake.
• How to Apply: You can apply directly through the official Stand-Up India Portal or by visiting the nearest branch of a commercial bank.

2. Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY)

• Overview: MUDRA is one of the most popular and accessible financial assistance schemes for women entrepreneurs India. It was launched to “fund the unfunded” by providing loans of up to ₹10 lakh to non-corporate, non-farm small and micro-enterprises. A significant portion of MUDRA beneficiaries are women, making it a powerful tool for fostering female entrepreneurship in both urban and rural areas.
• Key Benefits (Under Shishu, Kishor, and Tarun categories):
  • Shishu: Covers loans up to ₹50,000 for new businesses or those in the very early stages.
  • Kishor: Offers loans from ₹50,001 to ₹5 lakh for businesses looking to expand.
  • Tarun: Provides loans from ₹5,00,001 to ₹10 lakh for established businesses with clear growth plans.
  • The scheme features low processing fees and requires no collateral for the loan.
• Eligibility Criteria: Any Indian citizen who has a viable business plan for a non-farm sector income-generating activity, such as manufacturing, processing, trading, or the service sector, can apply.
• How to Apply: Aspiring entrepreneurs can approach any local branch of a Commercial Bank, Regional Rural Bank (RRB), Small Finance Bank, or Micro Finance Institution (MFI) to apply for a MUDRA loan or apply online via the MUDRA Portal.

3. Mahila Udyam Nidhi (MUN) Scheme

• Overview: Offered by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), the Mahila Udyam Nidhi (MUN) Scheme is specifically tailored to encourage women to establish their own small-scale industrial units. It provides a blend of financial support and flexibility to help new ventures get off the ground and sustain themselves.
• Key Benefits:
  • Provides financial assistance (term loan and working capital) of up to ₹10 lakh.
  • The interest rates are concessional and determined by SIDBI from time to time.
  • A key feature is the generous repayment period of up to 10 years, which includes a moratorium period of up to 5 years, easing the initial financial burden on the entrepreneur.
• Eligibility Criteria: Women entrepreneurs who are setting up a new small-scale project or undertaking expansion, modernization, or diversification of an existing unit are eligible. The project cost should not exceed ₹10 lakh.
• How to Apply: Applications can be made directly through the offices of SIDBI. For more information, you can visit the SIDBI official website.

4. Trade Related Entrepreneurship Assistance and Development (TREAD) Scheme

• Overview: The TREAD scheme is a unique women entrepreneurship development program in India that focuses on holistic empowerment. It provides a combination of credit, training, and counseling to women who lack access to formal financial institutions. The scheme operates through Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that have a track record of assisting underprivileged women.
• Key Benefits:
  • The government provides a grant of up to 30% of the total project cost as appraised by the lending institution.
  • The remaining 70% is financed by the bank as a loan, which the NGO helps the women secure.
  • It goes beyond funding by providing crucial trade-related training, information dissemination, and advisory services, empowering women with the skills needed to run a successful business.
• Eligibility Criteria: The primary target group is poor and semi-literate women. Applications must be routed through eligible NGOs that have been operational for at least three years.
• How to Apply: Women need to connect with an eligible NGO in their area, which will then facilitate the application process with the lending institutions and the government.

5. Udyogini Scheme

• Overview: “Udyogini,” meaning “woman entrepreneur,” is a scheme designed to foster self-reliance among women by encouraging them to engage in business activities and micro-enterprises. It provides financial support at concessional terms, with a special focus on women from rural and underdeveloped regions.
• Key Benefits:
  • Provides interest-free loans up to ₹3 lakh for women engaged in over 88 small-scale business categories.
  • A subsidy of up to 30% is available on the loan, particularly for women belonging to special categories such as widows, destitute, or disabled women.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • The applicant must be a woman between the ages of 18 and 55.
  • There is a cap on the applicant’s annual family income, which is generally set at ₹1.5 lakh (this may vary by state).
• How to Apply: The scheme is implemented by leading Commercial Banks, Cooperative Banks, and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs). Interested applicants should visit the nearest branch of a participating bank.

6. Pradhan Mantri Rozgar Protsahan Yojana (PMRPY)

• Overview: While not exclusively for women, the PMRPY offers significant government support for women-owned businesses that are looking to hire and expand. The scheme incentivizes employers to generate new employment by having the Government of India pay the full employer’s contribution (12%) to the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS) and Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) for the first three years of employment for new hires.
• Key Benefits: This directly reduces the cost of hiring new employees, freeing up capital that small businesses, including those owned by women, can reinvest into growth, marketing, or product development. It makes scaling a team more affordable.
• Eligibility Criteria: The business must be registered with the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and have a Labour Identification Number (LIN).
• How to Apply: Eligible employers can register and apply through the official PMRPY Portal.

7. Annapurna Scheme

• Overview: This scheme is tailor-made for women entrepreneurs venturing into the food catering business. Whether it’s a small tiffin service, a snack shop, or a home-based catering unit, the Annapurna Scheme provides the necessary financial assistance to purchase kitchen equipment, utensils, and meet daily working capital needs.
• Key Benefits:
  • Offers a composite loan of up to ₹50,000.
  • The loan has a repayment tenure of up to 36 months.
  • A guarantor is required, and the assets purchased with the loan (like kitchen equipment) must be provided as collateral.
• Eligibility Criteria: The applicant must be a woman entrepreneur over 18 years of age with a business plan for a food catering unit.
• How to Apply: The scheme is offered by public sector banks. You can approach the nearest branch of a participating bank to apply.

8. Mahila Coir Yojana

• Overview: This is a key scheme for women artisans in rural areas engaged in the coir industry. Implemented by the Coir Board, the Mahila Coir Yojana is a women-centric program that provides training and machinery to spin coir yarn, thus creating sustainable employment opportunities.
• Key Benefits:
  • Provides training in spinning coir yarn with a stipend paid during the training period.
  • Offers a subsidy of 75% of the cost of purchasing spinning equipment (ratts/motorized ratts).
  • The subsidy helps women set up their own production units with minimal personal investment.
• Eligibility Criteria: The scheme is open to rural women artisans who have completed the training program conducted by the Coir Board.
• How to Apply: Aspiring artisans can apply through the field offices of the Coir Board or the Coir Project Offices. More details are available on the Coir Board website.

9. NARI SHAKTI PURASKAR

• Overview: Unlike the other schemes on this list, the Nari Shakti Puraskar is not a loan or funding program. It is the highest civilian honor for women in India. Awarded annually by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, it recognizes women who have made exceptional contributions to society. For entrepreneurs, winning this award provides immense credibility, visibility, and validation.
• Key Benefits:
  • National Recognition: Provides a powerful platform and boosts the brand image of the entrepreneur and her venture.
  • Cash Prize: Includes a cash prize of ₹2 lakh and a certificate.
• Eligibility Criteria: The award is open to individuals, groups, and institutions who have shown exemplary work in the field of women’s empowerment.
• How to Apply: The nomination process is conducted online through the official National Awards Portal.

10. Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP)

• Overview: Launched by NITI Aayog, the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) is a one-of-a-kind, unified access portal. It’s a digital ecosystem that brings together women from different parts of India and connects them with various stakeholders, including mentors, investors, and both government and private sector support services. It’s a key aggregator of the latest government schemes for women entrepreneurs.
• Key Benefits:
  • Incubation and Mentorship: Connects aspiring entrepreneurs with experienced mentors and incubation centers.
  • Funding Opportunities: Provides information and access to various funding schemes and investors.
  • Networking: Acts as a powerful networking platform for peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
  • Partner Services: Offers free services from partners, such as free credit ratings and legal advice.
• Eligibility Criteria: The platform is open to all women entrepreneurs across India, regardless of their business stage.
• How to Apply: Registration is simple and can be done online on the official WEP Portal.

How to Prepare Your Application for These Schemes

A great business idea is just the start. To successfully secure funding, a well-prepared application is essential. Having the right documentation and a clear, compelling business plan can make all the difference.

Key Documents You Will Need

While requirements may vary slightly between schemes, most applications will ask for the following documents:

• Proof of Identity & Address: Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, PAN Card, Passport.
• Business Address Proof: Utility bills, rental agreement.
• Detailed Business Plan/Project Report: This is your roadmap, outlining your business goals and how you’ll achieve them.
• Caste Certificate: If you are applying under a specific category (SC/ST/OBC).
• Bank Account Statements: Typically for the last 6 to 12 months.
• Latest Income Tax Returns (ITR): Both personal and for the business, if applicable.
• Company Registration Documents: Certificate of Incorporation, Partnership Deed, etc.

The Importance of a Solid Business Plan

Your business plan is arguably the most critical component of your application. Lenders and government agencies want to see that you have a viable, well-researched, and sustainable business model. It should clearly detail your vision, market analysis, financial projections (revenue, profit, cash flow), marketing strategy, and the expertise of your management team. A professionally drafted plan demonstrates your seriousness and significantly boosts your credibility, increasing your chances of securing funds from these financial assistance schemes for women entrepreneurs India.

Conclusion: Taking the First Step Towards Your Entrepreneurial Dream

The Government of India offers immense support through a diverse range of government schemes for women entrepreneurs. These initiatives provide more than just financial capital; they deliver crucial training, mentorship, market access, and a powerful network of support. From Stand-Up India’s focus on new ventures to MUDRA’s widespread accessibility, there is a scheme to support every aspiring woman entrepreneur at every stage of her journey. We encourage you to explore these latest government schemes for women entrepreneurs and take that confident first step toward turning your business idea into a thriving enterprise.

Navigating the paperwork and eligibility criteria for these schemes can be complex. The experts at TaxRobo are here to help you with everything from company registration and GST filing to preparing a winning project report. Contact us today to get started!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I apply for multiple government schemes at the same time?

Answer: Yes, in many cases, you can. However, you cannot avail funding for the same purpose or asset from two different schemes. For instance, you cannot take two separate loans to purchase the same piece of machinery. It’s crucial to read the specific guidelines of each scheme carefully to avoid any conflicts.

Q2: Do I need to have an existing business to apply for these loans?

Answer: Not necessarily. Several schemes are specifically designed for new businesses. For example, the Stand-Up India Scheme is exclusively for “greenfield” projects, meaning brand new ventures. Many loans under the MUDRA Yojana are also granted to first-time entrepreneurs who present a viable and well-structured business plan.

Q3: Are these women entrepreneurship schemes available all over India?

Answer: Most central government schemes like Stand-Up India, MUDRA, and PMRPY are available nationwide through their designated partner banks and portals. However, some schemes might be implemented by specific state governments or have a stronger operational presence in certain regions, so it’s always a good idea to check with your local bank or District Industries Centre (DIC).

Q4: What is the role of Udyam Registration for these schemes?

Answer: MSME UDYAM REGISTRATION is the new process for registering a business as a Micro, Small, or Medium Enterprise (MSME). Having an Udyam certificate is highly recommended and is often a prerequisite for availing benefits under many of these government schemes. It provides your business with an official identity, makes it easier to get bank loans at lower interest rates, and makes you eligible for a wide range of government subsidies and benefits. TaxRobo can help you with a hassle-free Udyam Registration.