Building BusinessServices

Section 42

Women entrepreneurs

Many loan and subsidy schemes give women a higher subsidy, a smaller own share or a bigger guarantee. Start with MUDRA, PMEGP and CGTMSE, then check your state's women package.

Women's share of MUDRA loan accounts (amount share 37.45%) · 2024-25
59.81%
Women-owned share of Udyam + Udyam Assist registrations (about 9.78 crore in all, 6 Oct 2026) · 2026
37.6%
DPIIT-recognised startups with at least one woman director or partner (31 Mar 2026) · 2026
1.07 lakh+ (about 48%)

Schemes and loans for you

  • Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY)ActiveCollateral-free bank loans for small non-farm businesses in four sizes: Shishu, Kishor, Tarun and Tarun Plus.Up to ₹20 lakh (Tarun Plus only after a Tarun loan is repaid)Details →Official page ↗
  • PMEGP — special-category subsidyActiveWomen count as special category under PMEGP: a higher subsidy and only 5% own money on a new unit.Subsidy 25% (urban) or 35% (rural) of project cost; projects up to ₹50 lakh (manufacturing) / ₹20 lakh (service)Details →Official page ↗
  • CGTMSE credit guaranteeActiveA guarantee that lets banks lend to micro and small units without collateral. Women-owned units get a higher cover.90% guarantee cover for women entrepreneurs; loans up to ₹10 croreDetails →Official page ↗
  • Telangana MSME Policy 2024 — investment subsidy with women's top-upActiveTelangana pays an extra investment subsidy to women-owned micro and small units.25% of fixed capital investment (max ₹30 lakh) + 20% extra for women (max ₹20 lakh)Details →Official page ↗
  • Bihar Mukhyamantri Udyami Yojana — Mahila componentActiveBihar gives women of all categories half the project cost as a grant and half as an interest-free loan. Applications open in yearly rounds.Up to ₹10 lakh (₹5 lakh grant + ₹5 lakh interest-free loan)Details →Official page ↗
  • New term-loan scheme for first-time women, SC and ST entrepreneurs (Budget 2025-26)UnclearAnnounced in the Union Budget 2025-26 to give term loans to 5 lakh first-time women, SC and ST entrepreneurs. No launch notice found as of Oct 2026.Term loans up to ₹2 crore (as announced)Details →Official page ↗
  • New Swarnima Scheme for Women (NBCFDC)UnclearLow-interest term loan for backward-class women to start self-employment.Up to ₹2 lakh at 5% a yearDetails →Official page ↗
  • Mahila Samriddhi Yojana (NSFDC)UnclearMicro-finance for Scheduled Caste women with an interest rebate, routed through state agencies.Up to ₹1.4 lakhDetails →Official page ↗
  • Stand-Up IndiaClosedBank loans for a first (greenfield) business by SC, ST or women entrepreneurs. The scheme period ended on 31 Mar 2025; a successor has been announced but not launched.₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore composite loan (when it ran)Details →Official page ↗

Business ideas that suit you

Sources (12)
  1. 11 Years of Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (backgrounder, 8 Apr 2026) · 2026
  2. Factsheet: Small and Medium Enterprises Growth Fund (6 Oct 2026) — Udyam and women-owned registrations · 2026
  3. Government recognizes more than 55,200 startups during FY 2025-26 (17 Apr 2026) · 2026
  4. MUDRA — PMMY products (Shishu, Kishor, Tarun, Tarun Plus) · 2026
  5. PMEGP continued over the 15th Finance Commission cycle (special-category subsidy 25% urban / 35% rural) · 2022
  6. CGTMSE — extent of guarantee cover (women entrepreneurs and Agniveers 90%) · 2026
  7. Stand-Up India Scheme (SUPI) — scheme period up to 31.03.2025 · 2026
  8. Budget 2025-26: new term-loan scheme for 5 lakh first-time women, SC and ST entrepreneurs · 2025
  9. myScheme — New Swarnima Scheme For Women · 2026
  10. myScheme — Mahila Samriddhi Yojana · 2026
  11. Telangana Operational Guidelines for Implementation of MSME Policy 2024 · 2024
  12. MMUY 2025-26 guideline (Annexure II) · 2026

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