10 government schemes every woman entrepreneur should know about
Don’t miss out on these
When 44-year-old Shaila Kamath from Mangalore decided to take her masala magic beyond her kitchen in 2024, she had everything going for her, except the collateral for a bank loan and a clue on where to begin. “I had the recipes, I knew there was demand. What I didn’t have was the backing to turn it into a real business,” she says.
Sound familiar? Shaila’s not alone. According to the Udyam Registration Portal of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), India is home to a whopping 63 million MSMEs. But only 20.5% of them are owned by women. And while rural women are holding it down slightly better than their urban sisters (22.24% vs 18.42%), the gender gap is still large enough to fall into.
The ambition is there. The talent? Overflowing. But access to funds, networks, and just someone to explain what the heck a moratorium even is? That’s where things get murky.
Here’s the silver lining, though: the government does have our backs, sort of. There’s a whole buffet of schemes out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. The catch? Most of them are so low-key, they might as well be hiding behind a stack of dusty government files.
So, we did the digging for you.
Here are 10 schemes that are legit, accessible, and designed to help you take your business dream from someday to right now
PM Vishwakarma Yojana
Who is eligible: Traditional artisans (think weavers, potters, etc.).
How does it help: You get ₹500 per day for advanced training, a ₹15,000 toolkit voucher, and access to collateral-free loans at 5% interest. The scheme also helps onboard you to digital e-platforms you brand and market your work so you can sell to wider audiences.
Where to apply:pmvishwakarma.gov.in
Namo Drone Didi
Who is eligible: Rural women in Self-Help Groups (SHGs), trained via Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).
How does it help: This scheme trains women to operate agri-drones, for spraying fertilizers and pesticides. The government foots up to 80% of the drone cost (up to ₹8 lakh), and you can get a low-interest loan for the rest. With training bundled in, the income potential is at least ₹1 lakh per SHG every year (just by renting your drone to local farmers).
Where to apply: Through local KVKs or SHG federations
EmpowHER Biz – Sapno Ki Udaan
Who is eligible: Women aged 18-35 from Delhi NCR, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, or Gujarat.
How does it help: This scheme is brought to you by the Women Entrepreneurship Platform at NITI Aayog, and we’re talking hands-on training in retail, digital tools, and business smarts, plus one-on-one mentorship from people who’ve actually been there, done that. The cherry on top? If selected among the top 20, you get the chance to run your very own New Shop franchise, India’s largest 24/7 convenience store chain under their “Award to Reward” programme. And get this: they waive 100% of the franchise fee. Yep, saving you lakhs in startup costs.
Where to apply: wep.gov.in
SBI Asmita Loan + Nari Shakti Debit Card
Who is eligible: Women-led businesses, including proprietorships, partnerships, and private limited companies with 50%+ women ownership.
How does it help: Through SBI’s digital platform, women entrepreneurs can apply for loans (₹10 lakh to ₹5 crore) by following a simplified online process without pledging assets or jumping through endless hoops. Whether you’re buying machinery, upgrading your workspace, getting a new delivery van, or just need working capital to keep things running, this loan’s got your back. Even self-employed professionals can get in on the action for tools and equipment. Bonus perk? You can also get the Nari Shakti Debit Card, complete with cashback, wellness deals, and lifestyle rewards.
Where to apply: sbi.co.in or any SBI branch
Support for first-time women entrepreneurs (from Budget 2025)
Who is eligible: Women starting a business for the first time, especially from SC/ST communities.
How does it help: This scheme lets you apply for a term loan of up to ₹2 crore (yes, crore) to turn that big idea into a real-deal venture. Plus, you also get online training in marketing, accounting, and how to actually scale your business like a pro. Think of it as your startup starter pack.
Where to apply: Through public sector banks via jansamarth.in
Mahila Udyam Nidhi Scheme
Who is eligible: Women with at least 51% business ownership in MSMEs and smaller businesses (like a beauty parlour or tailoring unit), especially in rural or underrepresented areas
How does it help: Collateral? Don’t need it. This scheme offers loans up to ₹10 lakh with sweet concessional interest rates, and a generous 10-year repayment window. Oh, and there’s a five-year moratorium, so you can focus on growing your biz before the EMIs kick in. Whether you’re starting from scratch or scaling up, this one gives you the breathing room and the backing to make bold moves.
Where to apply: Via participating banks or financial institutions
Stand-Up India (2025 version)
Who is eligible: Women over 18 ready to launch a greenfield business (any business that starts from scratch), with at least 51% ownership and control.
How does it help: Get business loans from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore to kick things off. You also get help with the boring-but-crucial stuff such as training, registration, and getting linked up with banks. Udyam registration is a must, and mentorship is on offer too (though it can vary depending on your bank or region).
Where to apply: standupmitra.in or at any partner bank
Credit Guarantee Scheme (for MSMEs)
Who is eligible: Micro and small enterprises registered on the Udyam portal, with a little extra love for women-led businesses.
How does it help: This government-backed scheme offers credit access and guarantees through a variety of lenders, with loans of up to ₹5 crore, no collateral needed. It’s a booster pack for first-time women entrepreneurs who often struggle to get banks on board, with concessional guarantee fees and more relaxed terms typically extended to women-led businesses.
Where to apply: Through partner banks after Udyam registration.
PM Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP)
Who is eligible: Anyone 18 and above with a dream and a decent idea. Only greenfield ventures are allowed, and women get tagged as a “special category” (for once, it’s a good thing) with extra subsidy benefits
How does it help: This is a central government-backed, credit-linked subsidy scheme designed to help you start your own micro-manufacturing or service biz from scratch. You get a subsidy of 15% to 35% of your total project cost, with women in the special category getting the higher end of that range (35%). There’s one non-negotiable: you’ve got to attend a 6- to 10-day entrepreneurship training programme before the money hits your account. Because building your business starts with knowing your stuff.
Where to apply: kviconline.gov.in, then submit your project to local KVIC/KVIB/DIC office
MSME Market & Innovation Assistance
Who is eligible: Any woman-led micro or small enterprise registered on Udyam
How does it help: This is not one scheme, rather multiple schemes that have your back and your brand. You can get 100% reimbursement on stall rent at trade fairs (no more paying to pitch), free training in digital marketing and exports, help with packaging, barcoding, branding, and even getting your products online, and grants up to ₹15 lakh for idea incubation or prototype development.
Where to apply: Via msme.gov.in, my.msme.gov.in, or NSIC offices and incubator partners.
The bottom line
These aren’t just government schemes, they’re real tools that women are already using to build thriving businesses. And there’s something there for every kind of entrepreneur. Just ask Shaila. She’s now supplying to gourmet stores across Mangalore, powered by a loan through the Stand-Up India scheme and a growing team of women she trained herself. “I never thought a government scheme would actually work for someone like me. But once I understood the steps, it all came together. Now I’m not just earning, I’m employing,” she says.
Women like Shaila aren’t exceptions. Across the country, others are doing the same, quietly, confidently. Like Farzana Begum, 49, from Assam’s Barpeta district, who ran a small tailoring unit from home, stitching for neighbours. After learning about the PMEGP and getting support from her local khadi office, she applied for a ₹3 lakh loan. “I had zero savings, but a clear idea of what I wanted. The subsidy gave me confidence and capital,” she says. Today, she employs four other women and supplies uniforms to three schools in her area.
In the end, the first step is knowing where to look. The second? Paying it forward. So if you know a woman with a business dream, share this list. It might be the nudge she needs.
Disclaimer: Not all government schemes are built equally—and accessing them isn’t always a breeze. But for many women entrepreneurs, they offer a much-needed starting point for funding, support, and legitimacy.
