If you are a woman planning to start or grow a business, there are several government schemes and platforms designed especially for you. Below is a simple guide for the top 6 Government Schemes for Women Entrepreneurs in India, who can use them, and how to apply.
1. PM Mudra Yojana (for Women)
Who is eligible?
- Women running or starting small businesses such as boutiques, beauty parlours, tiffin services, small shops, freelancers, home-based units, etc.
- Applicants must be non-farm micro/small enterprises with a viable business plan.
Click here to check now!
Loan / Benefit Amount
- Shishu: up to ₹50,000
- Kishor: ₹50,000 to ₹5 lakh
- Tarun: ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh
- Loans are generally collateral-free, with interest decided by each bank. Many banks give preference to women borrowers.
Ideal Business Type
Home businesses, small service units, tiny manufacturing, local traders and vendors who need working capital or money to buy basic machinery/equipment.
How to Apply?
- Visit any PSU/private bank, small finance bank or NBFC branch where you hold an account.
- Ask for PM Mudra loan application and mention that you are applying as a woman entrepreneur.
- Submit KYC, simple project details and bank statements as requested.
Get more information here!
2. Stand Up India Scheme
Who is Eligible?
- At least one woman (or SC/ST) entrepreneur per bank branch.
- Must be starting a new (greenfield) project in manufacturing, services, or trading.
- Age 18+; non-defaulter in any bank.
Click here to check now!
Loan / benefit amount
- Composite bank loan from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore, which can include term loan + working capital.
- Bank can cover up to 75% of project cost, with margin money coming from the entrepreneur or other schemes.
Get more information!
Ideal Business Type
Women starting a new SME unit such as a small factory, franchise outlet, restaurant, clinic, service centre, etc., where investment is higher than a typical home business.
How to Apply?
- Go to the official portal of Stand-up India and register basic details or directly approach your bank branch.
- Prepare a project report with estimated costs and projected income.
- Bank processes loan understands Up India guidelines.
3. Stree Shakti Yojana / Stree Shakti Package
Who is Eligible?
- Women who hold majority ownership (often 51% or more) in the business.
- Typically, they need to be enrolled in an entrepreneurship programme or have their unit registered as MSME, depending on bank policy.
Loan / Benefit Amount
- Business loans for working capital or term loans, usually up to ₹25 lakh or more, depending on bank.
- Interest rate concession (around 0.5% for eligible loan amounts) and relaxed margin or collateral norms for small loans.
Ideal Business Type
Existing or new micro/small enterprises run by women: boutiques, coaching centres, small manufacturing, service agencies, traders, etc., that need additional funds to expand.
How to Apply?
- Visit the nearest State Bank of India or another participating bank branch.
- Ask specifically for Stree Shakti scheme/package for women entrepreneurs.
- Submit KYC, business registration proof, basic project details and ITRs/bank statements.
Get more information here!
4. Mahila e-Haat
Who is Eligible?
- Individual women (18+), women self‑help groups (SHGs), and women‑led enterprises from any part of India.
- No commission is charged by Mahila e‑Haat; payment is made directly to the seller by the buyer.
Press Release: Press Information Bureau
Loan / Benefit Amount
- This is not a loan scheme. It is an online marketing platform to showcase and sell products directly to customers.
- No commission is charged by Mahila e-Haat; payment is made directly to the seller by the buyer.
Ideal Business Type
Women who already make or trade physical products and want online visibility without building a full e-commerce site.
How to Apply?
- Go to the Mahila e-Haat portal (under Ministry of Women & Child Development).
- Register as a seller, upload product photos, descriptions, prices and contact details.
- Buyers contact you directly via phone/email to place orders.
Check out the Mahila e-Haat | Vikaspedia – English – Digital Governance
5. NSIC & MSME Support for Women-Owned Units
Who is Eligible?
- Women-owned micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) registered under Udyam Registration.
- Units engaged in manufacturing or services.
Take a look at the Details – NSIC : National Small Industries Corporation Ltd.
Loan / Benefit Amount
Not a direct loan scheme, but provides:
- Marketing assistance and participation in trade fairs/exhibitions.
- Raw material assistance, credit facilitation under CGTMSE.
- Training and skill-development programmes for women entrepreneurs.
Ideal Business Type
Registered MSMEs that want to grow, find new markets, or participate in government/large-buyer tenders.
How to Apply?
- Visit the nearest NSIC / MSME-DI office or their official websites.
- Enrol under relevant schemes (marketing assistance, raw material assistance, etc.) by submitting Udyam details and basic documents.
6. State-Level Women Entrepreneurship Schemes
Who is Eligible?
Women residents of a particular state (for example, schemes like Udyogini, Mahila Udyam Nidhi, state cooperative bank schemes), usually for micro and small enterprises. Check here!
Loan / Benefit Amount
Varies by state; often provides soft loans, interest subsidies, or margin money assistance up to about ₹5–₹10 lakh for small businesses.
Ideal Business Type
- Local women entrepreneurs in retail, services, food processing, handicrafts, etc., especially in rural and semi-urban areas. How to apply
- Check your state government, industry department, or state financial corporation/bank websites.
Look for women-specific schemes and follow the application process listed there or visit the local branch.
Summary of these Platforms
| Scheme / Platform | Type | Loan / Support Size | Best suited for |
| PM Mudra (women) | Loan | ₹50k–₹10 lakh (collateral-free) | Home-based, small shops, service micro-businesses |
| Stand Up India | Loan | ₹10 lakh–₹1 crore term/CC | New medium-scale manufacturing/service/trade units |
| Stree Shakti Yojana | Loan package | Up to ~₹25 lakh+ (bank-specific) | Women with ≥51% ownership needing working capital/expansion |
| Mahila e-Haat | Online market | No loan; digital sales platform | Any woman/SHG wanting to sell products/services online |
| Scheme / Platform | Type | Loan / Support Size | Best suited for |
| NSIC/MSME women schemes | Subsidy/support | Marketing help, training, credit facilitation | Registered women-owned MSMEs scaling up |
| State women schemes | Loan/subsidy | Varies by state (often up to ₹5–₹10 lakh) | Local women entrepreneurs, especially in rural/semi-urban |
How to Choose the Right Scheme for the Women Entrepreneurs in India?
- If you are starting a very small or home-based business → begin with Mudra (Shishu/Kishor).
- If you want to set up a new larger unit with big investment → explore Stand Up India.
- If you already run a business and want a better loan deal as a woman owner → check Stree Shakti and your bank’s women packages.
- If your main problem is selling more, not funding → list your products on Mahila e-Haat and other marketplaces.
- If you are already an MSME looking to scale and join bigger markets → connect with NSIC/MSME support programmes.
How Taxpertise Can Help You Choose and Apply?
Understanding all these schemes is not easy, and each bank also has its own documentation rules. Taxpertise Accounting can help you:
- Identify which scheme fits your stage of business (Mudra, Stand Up India, Stree Shakti, state schemes, etc.).
- Prepare a clean project report, CMA data, ITRs and GST documents so that banks take your loan file seriously.
- Assist with MSME/Udyam, GST registration, and bookkeeping, so you remain eligible for present and future schemes.
If you are a woman entrepreneur and want guidance on the best government scheme for your business, you can reach out and get a personalised consultation.
The Conclusion
Women entrepreneurs in India have access to powerful schemes, platforms, and financial support designed to help them start, grow, and scale their ventures. Choosing the right programme and preparing strong documentation can unlock real opportunities for sustainable, long-term business success.
