Stand Up India Scheme 2026: Eligibility, Loan Amount, Banks & Current Status
Last Updated: September 2026
If you are a woman entrepreneur or an entrepreneur from the SC or ST community and are planning to start a new business, you may have heard about the Stand Up India Scheme.
The scheme was introduced by the Government of India to encourage entrepreneurship by facilitating bank finance for eligible women and SC/ST entrepreneurs.
However, there is an important update for anyone searching for Stand Up India Loan in 2026.
The original Stand-Up India Scheme was operational up to 31 March 2025. The Government subsequently announced a new scheme aimed at supporting 5 lakh first-time entrepreneurs from women, SC and ST communities, with proposed term loans of up to ₹2 crore over five years.
The new scheme is intended to build on the experience of Stand-Up India. Therefore, applicants should verify the current implementation status, eligibility and application process through official Government sources before applying.
In this guide, Finservy explains the scheme in simple language, including who could apply, business segments, loan amounts, eligibility, banks, application process, documents and the current 2026 position.
What Is the Stand Up India Scheme?
The Stand-Up India Scheme was launched by the Government of India on 5 April 2016.
Its objective was to encourage entrepreneurship among:
- Women entrepreneurs
- Scheduled Caste (SC) entrepreneurs
- Scheduled Tribe (ST) entrepreneurs
The original scheme facilitated bank loans for setting up greenfield enterprises, meaning new businesses.
Under the original scheme, eligible borrowers could seek a composite loan between ₹10 lakh and ₹1 crore for an eligible new business.
The loan could include both:
- Term loan
- Working capital
The scheme covered eligible activities in manufacturing, services, trading and certain agriculture-allied businesses.
Is Stand Up India Loan Available in 2026?
This is one of the most important questions.
The original Stand-Up India Scheme was operational until 31 March 2025.
In the Union Budget 2025-26, the Government announced a new scheme intended to provide term loans of up to ₹2 crore to 5 lakh first-time entrepreneurs, including women and SC/ST entrepreneurs, over a period of five years.
Because the new scheme is separate from the original Stand-Up India framework, applicants should not assume that the old ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore loan structure automatically applies to new applications in 2026.
Before applying, check:
- Whether the new scheme is currently open for applications
- Current eligibility conditions
- Current loan limits
- Participating banks
- Application procedure
- Required documents
- Margin or own-contribution requirements
- Security and guarantee requirements
Always verify the latest information through official Government sources and the concerned bank.
Who Could Apply for Stand Up India?
Under the original Stand-Up India Scheme, the main beneficiary groups were:
1. Women Entrepreneurs
Women above 18 years of age could qualify for the scheme, subject to the applicable conditions.
The scheme was intended to encourage women to start new businesses and become entrepreneurs.
2. SC Entrepreneurs
Scheduled Caste entrepreneurs above 18 years could apply for eligible new business ventures, subject to the scheme and lending bank’s requirements.
3. ST Entrepreneurs
Scheduled Tribe entrepreneurs above 18 years could also qualify for eligible new enterprises.
4. Companies and Partnership Firms
Non-individual businesses could also qualify under the original framework where the required ownership and controlling stake conditions were satisfied.
At least 51% of the shareholding and controlling stake had to be held by an eligible woman or SC/ST entrepreneur.
What Businesses Were Covered?
The original Stand-Up India Scheme was designed primarily for greenfield enterprises, or new business ventures.
The scheme covered several business segments.
Manufacturing Business
Examples include:
- Food processing units
- Garment manufacturing
- Furniture manufacturing
- Packaging units
- Small manufacturing units
- Engineering-related businesses
- Other eligible manufacturing activities
Service Business
Examples include:
- Repair and service centres
- Hospitality-related businesses
- Beauty and wellness services
- Professional services
- Technical services
- Other eligible service businesses
Trading Business
Examples include:
- Retail businesses
- Wholesale businesses
- Distribution businesses
- Trading enterprises
- Other eligible commercial activities
Agriculture-Allied Business
The scheme was also expanded to include certain agriculture-allied activities.
Examples include:
- Dairy
- Poultry
- Fisheries
- Beekeeping
- Livestock-related activities
- Agro-processing
- Agri-business centres
- Certain supporting agriculture activities
However, not every agricultural activity automatically qualifies.
The exact eligibility should be checked against the applicable scheme guidelines and the lending bank.
How Much Loan Was Available Under Stand Up India?
Under the original Stand-Up India Scheme, the loan amount was:
₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore
The financing could be structured as a composite loan covering eligible term-loan and working-capital requirements.
The original framework generally contemplated financing up to around 85% of the project cost, subject to applicable conditions.
The borrower was generally required to bring in at least 10% of the project cost as own contribution.
Simple Example
Suppose you want to start a business requiring:
₹30 lakh project cost
The funding structure could potentially include:
- Bank finance
- Applicant’s own contribution
- Eligible support from other government schemes, where applicable
However, the exact loan amount is not automatic.
The bank will evaluate the business proposal, project cost, applicant profile and repayment capacity before deciding the amount of finance.
What Was the Repayment Period?
Under the original Stand-Up India framework, the loan could have a repayment period of up to 7 years, including a maximum moratorium period of 18 months.
The actual repayment structure depends on the sanctioned facility and the lending bank’s terms.
Basic Stand Up India Loan Eligibility
Under the original scheme, an applicant generally needed to satisfy conditions such as:
- Be above 18 years of age
- Be a woman or belong to the SC/ST category
- Propose an eligible greenfield enterprise
- Meet the applicable business requirements
- Meet the bank’s lending criteria
- Not be in default to any bank or financial institution
Important
Meeting the basic government-scheme eligibility does not automatically guarantee loan approval.
The bank may also assess:
- Credit history
- Existing loans
- Repayment capacity
- Business experience
- Project viability
- Own contribution
- Business cash flow
- Project cost
- Financial projections
- KYC and statutory documents
Think of eligibility as getting through the front door. The bank’s credit assessment is the next room.
Which Banks Offered Stand Up India Loans?
The original Stand-Up India Scheme was implemented through Scheduled Commercial Banks.
Applicants could approach participating commercial banks and their branches.
Instead of approaching a bank randomly, it is sensible to first understand:
- Your business requirement
- Loan requirement
- Credit profile
- Project cost
- Own contribution
- Suitable banking institution
The current availability of any successor scheme should be verified directly with the concerned bank.
How Did the Stand Up India Loan Process Work?
The process can be understood in simple steps.
Step 1: Decide Your Business
First determine:
- What business are you starting?
- Where will it operate?
- What products or services will you offer?
- How much investment is required?
- How much working capital do you need?
Step 2: Prepare a Business Plan
A bank needs to understand your business.
Your business plan or project report may include:
- Business profile
- Promoter profile
- Business model
- Project cost
- Machinery or equipment cost
- Working capital requirement
- Expected sales
- Expected expenses
- Profit projections
- Cash-flow projections
- Repayment plan
- Employment potential
Step 3: Check Eligibility
Check whether:
- You fall within the eligible category
- Your proposed business is eligible
- Your business is new, where greenfield status is required
- You have the required own contribution
- Your credit and banking profile meet the lender’s requirements
Step 4: Approach the Bank or Government Portal
Under the original framework, entrepreneurs could use the Stand-Up Mitra platform and the JanSamarth portal for information and credit-linked scheme access.
For current schemes, applicants should check the official Government portal for the latest available options.
Step 5: Bank Evaluation
The bank reviews your proposal and supporting documents.
The bank generally wants to understand one key question:
“Can this business generate enough cash flow to repay the loan?”
That is why a realistic project report is extremely important.
Step 6: Sanction and Documentation
If the proposal is approved, the bank provides the applicable sanction terms.
The required loan documentation and conditions must then be completed.
Step 7: Loan Disbursement
After completing the bank’s requirements, the sanctioned amount can be disbursed according to the agreed terms.
What Documents May Be Required?
The exact documents vary depending on the bank, applicant and business.
Common documents may include:
Personal Documents
- PAN Card
- Aadhaar or other valid KYC
- Address proof
- Passport-size photographs
- SC/ST certificate, where applicable
Business Documents
Depending on the business structure:
- Business registration documents
- Partnership deed
- Company incorporation documents
- Udyam Registration, where applicable
- GST registration, where applicable
- Trade licence
- Other applicable business approvals
Financial Documents
Depending on the applicant and business:
- Bank statements
- Income Tax Returns
- Existing loan details
- Financial statements
- Net-worth information
- Financial projections
Project Documents
- Detailed project report
- Business plan
- Machinery quotations
- Equipment quotations
- Project cost estimates
- Working-capital calculation
- Sales projections
- Profit projections
- Repayment plan
The lending bank may request additional documents.
Is Collateral Required?
The original Stand-Up India framework included a credit guarantee mechanism through the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC) under the Credit Guarantee Fund for Stand Up India.
However, this should not be interpreted as a guarantee that every applicant receives a loan without security or other lending conditions.
The bank still evaluates the proposal and applies its lending and credit requirements.
For any current or successor scheme, applicants should confirm the latest security and guarantee conditions directly with the bank.
Can an Existing Business Apply?
The original Stand-Up India Scheme was primarily designed for greenfield enterprises, meaning new business ventures.
Therefore, an existing business looking for:
- Business expansion
- Additional working capital
- Machinery finance
- Business takeover finance
- Debt restructuring
may need to consider other MSME or business-loan options.
The most suitable financing depends on the nature and requirement of the business.
Stand Up India vs Other Business Loans
Not every entrepreneur needs the same type of loan.
| Requirement | Possible Financing Option |
|---|---|
| New eligible woman entrepreneur | Government-supported scheme / business loan |
| New SC/ST entrepreneur | Government-supported scheme / business loan |
| Micro business | MUDRA or suitable micro-enterprise finance |
| Existing business | MSME / business loan |
| Machinery purchase | Term loan |
| Working capital | Working capital facility |
| Business expansion | MSME / business finance |
| Strong existing banking relationship | Bank business finance |
For example, the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) provides financing support for eligible micro enterprises and includes categories that can go up to ₹20 lakh under specified conditions.
Therefore, instead of asking only:
“Which government loan can I get?”
it is better to ask:
“Which business-financing option is suitable for my business and repayment capacity?”
Can Finservy Help With Business Loan Requirements?
At Finservy, we help customers understand business-finance options based on their business requirements and financial profile.
We can help you understand:
- Business loan options
- MSME finance
- Government-supported financing schemes
- Documentation requirements
- Project-report requirements
- Loan eligibility factors
- Working-capital requirements
- Bank financing options
Our role is to help make the loan journey easier to understand.
Loan approval remains subject to the respective lender’s eligibility criteria, credit assessment and approval process.
Planning to start or expand a business?
Talk to Finservy about your business-finance requirement.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Stand Up India Scheme?
Stand-Up India was a Government of India initiative designed to facilitate bank finance for eligible women and SC/ST entrepreneurs establishing new businesses.
Who could apply for Stand Up India?
Women entrepreneurs and SC/ST entrepreneurs above 18 years were the primary eligible categories under the original scheme, subject to applicable conditions.
How much loan was available under Stand Up India?
Under the original scheme, eligible borrowers could seek loans between ₹10 lakh and ₹1 crore.
Can women apply for Stand Up India?
Women entrepreneurs were one of the main beneficiary groups under the original Stand-Up India Scheme.
Can SC/ST entrepreneurs apply?
Yes. SC and ST entrepreneurs were among the primary beneficiary groups under the original scheme.
Can I use Stand Up India for an existing business?
The original scheme was primarily designed for greenfield enterprises, or new businesses. Existing businesses may need another suitable financing option.
Is Stand Up India available in 2026?
The original Stand-Up India Scheme was operational until 31 March 2025. A new scheme for 5 lakh first-time entrepreneurs, including women and SC/ST entrepreneurs, was announced subsequently. Applicants should verify the current implementation status and eligibility through official Government sources.
What is the new ₹2 crore entrepreneur scheme?
The Government announced a new scheme intended to provide term loans of up to ₹2 crore to 5 lakh first-time entrepreneurs from women and SC/ST communities over five years.
Applicants should verify the latest implementation details before applying.
Does meeting the eligibility criteria guarantee loan approval?
No.
Eligibility for a government-supported scheme does not automatically guarantee loan approval. The lending bank evaluates the applicant, business proposal, project cost, repayment capacity, credit profile and documentation.
Where can I verify Government loan schemes?
Applicants can check official Government portals such as JanSamarth and the Department of Financial Services for the latest information.
Official Government Sources
For the latest information, always verify government schemes through official sources.
Department of Financial Services, Government of India
Stand-Up India Scheme
Verify Stand-Up India information on the Department of Financial Services website
JanSamarth
Government credit-linked schemes portal
Visit the official JanSamarth portal
Union Budget 2025-26
Official Government Budget documents
Important Disclaimer
Disclaimer: Government schemes, eligibility criteria, loan amounts, interest rates, participating lenders, documentation requirements and application procedures may change from time to time. The information provided in this article is for general awareness and should not be considered a guarantee of loan approval or sanction. Applicants should verify the latest information through official Government sources and the concerned lending institution before applying.
Finservy is a financial services consultancy and loan assistance platform. Loan approval is solely at the discretion of the respective lender and is subject to its policies, eligibility criteria, credit assessment and applicable regulations.