{"id":13956,"date":"2026-05-27T07:33:19","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T07:33:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lemonn.co.in\/blog\/glossary\/stand-up-india-scheme\/"},"modified":"2026-05-27T07:33:19","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T07:33:19","slug":"stand-up-india-scheme","status":"publish","type":"glossary","link":"https:\/\/lemonn.co.in\/blog\/glossary\/stand-up-india-scheme\/","title":{"rendered":"Stand Up India Scheme: Loans for Women and SC\/ST Entrepreneurs"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1 id=\"stand-up-india-scheme-a-practical-guide\">Stand Up India Scheme: A Practical Guide<\/h1>\n<p>The Stand Up India Scheme is a government programme that offers bank loans to women, Scheduled Caste (SC), and Scheduled Tribe (ST) entrepreneurs. It supports new ventures in manufacturing, services, and <a class=\"glossaryLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lemonn.co.in\/blog\/glossary\/trading\/\" data-gt-translate-attributes='[{\"attribute\":\"data-cmtooltip\", \"format\":\"html\"}]' tabindex=\"0\" role=\"link\">trading<\/a>. The scheme bridges gaps in formal credit for under-served groups.<\/p>\n<p>This guide explains how Stand Up India works.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-is-the-stand-up-india-scheme\">What Is the Stand Up India Scheme?<\/h2>\n<p>Stand Up India was launched in 2016 to support entrepreneurship. The scheme offers:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Loans between &#x20B9;10 lakh and &#x20B9;1 crore<\/li>\n<li>For new (greenfield) ventures<\/li>\n<li>For SC, ST, and women entrepreneurs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The aim is to encourage entrepreneurship at the grassroots.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"eligibility\">Eligibility<\/h2>\n<p>The scheme is open to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>SC, ST, or women entrepreneurs aged 18 and above<\/li>\n<li>Borrowers without past defaults<\/li>\n<li>Setting up a new (greenfield) project<\/li>\n<li>In manufacturing, services, trading, or agri-allied <a class=\"glossaryLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lemonn.co.in\/blog\/glossary\/sector\/\" data-gt-translate-attributes='[{\"attribute\":\"data-cmtooltip\", \"format\":\"html\"}]' tabindex=\"0\" role=\"link\">sector<\/a>s<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The borrower must be the majority stakeholder if it is a company.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"loan-amount\">Loan Amount<\/h2>\n<p>Loan range:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Minimum &#x20B9;10 lakh<\/li>\n<li>Maximum &#x20B9;1 crore<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The loan covers up to 75 percent of project cost.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"why-stand-up-india-matters\">Why Stand Up India Matters<\/h2>\n<p>The scheme matters for three reasons:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>It supports under-served groups<\/li>\n<li>It encourages new ventures<\/li>\n<li>It builds inclusive economic growth<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>A clean Stand Up India loan supports first-time entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"common-uses\">Common Uses<\/h2>\n<p>Borrowers use Stand Up India loans for:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Setting up a small factory<\/li>\n<li>Starting a service business<\/li>\n<li>Trading ventures<\/li>\n<li>Agri-allied businesses<\/li>\n<li>Equipment and machinery<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The wide scope helps many entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"interest-rates\">Interest Rates<\/h2>\n<p>Rates depend on:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Lender (banks like SBI, PNB, BoB)<\/li>\n<li>Loan amount<\/li>\n<li>Credit profile<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Rates often start at MCLR plus a small spread.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-to-apply\">How to Apply<\/h2>\n<p>A common method:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Visit the Stand Up India portal<\/li>\n<li>Find a partner bank<\/li>\n<li>Submit project report<\/li>\n<li>Provide ID and category proof<\/li>\n<li>Wait for approval<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Some banks offer direct application.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"documents-needed\">Documents Needed<\/h2>\n<p>Common documents:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>KYC documents<\/li>\n<li>Caste certificate (for SC\/ST)<\/li>\n<li>Business plan or project report<\/li>\n<li>Estimates and quotations<\/li>\n<li>Address and identity proof<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The exact list varies.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"benefits\">Benefits<\/h2>\n<p>The scheme offers:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Loans up to &#x20B9;1 crore<\/li>\n<li>Long tenure (up to 7 years)<\/li>\n<li>Concessional rates<\/li>\n<li>Hand-holding support<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>These benefits support new ventures.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"risks\">Risks<\/h2>\n<p>Risks include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Repayment pressure<\/li>\n<li>Project execution risk<\/li>\n<li><a class=\"glossaryLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lemonn.co.in\/blog\/glossary\/business-cycle\/\" data-gt-translate-attributes='[{\"attribute\":\"data-cmtooltip\", \"format\":\"html\"}]' tabindex=\"0\" role=\"link\">Business cycle<\/a> ups and downs<\/li>\n<li>Default co<a class=\"glossaryLink\"  href=\"https:\/\/lemonn.co.in\/blog\/glossary\/nse\/\"  data-gt-translate-attributes='[{\"attribute\":\"data-cmtooltip\", \"format\":\"html\"}]'  tabindex='0' role='link'>nse<\/a>quences<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A clear plan helps manage these.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"repayment-tenure\">Repayment Tenure<\/h2>\n<p>The scheme allows:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Up to 7 years<\/li>\n<li>Moratorium of 18 months for new ventures<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This eases early-stage <a class=\"glossaryLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lemonn.co.in\/blog\/glossary\/cash-flow\/\" data-gt-translate-attributes='[{\"attribute\":\"data-cmtooltip\", \"format\":\"html\"}]' tabindex=\"0\" role=\"link\">cash flow<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"common-mistakes\">Common Mistakes<\/h2>\n<p>Borrowers often:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Skip detailed project planning<\/li>\n<li>Underestimate working capital<\/li>\n<li>Miss application steps<\/li>\n<li>Ignore mentorship support<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A clean plan avoids these errors.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"tips-for-better-use\">Tips for Better Use<\/h2>\n<p>A few habits help:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Build a detailed project report<\/li>\n<li>Plan <a class=\"glossaryLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lemonn.co.in\/blog\/glossary\/revenue\/\" data-gt-translate-attributes='[{\"attribute\":\"data-cmtooltip\", \"format\":\"html\"}]' tabindex=\"0\" role=\"link\">revenue<\/a> and costs carefully<\/li>\n<li>Use hand-holding services<\/li>\n<li>Apply through reputed banks<\/li>\n<li>Maintain records<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2 id=\"hand-holding-support\">Hand-Holding Support<\/h2>\n<p>The scheme connects borrowers with:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Government agencies for skill training<\/li>\n<li>Business advisors<\/li>\n<li>Marketing support<\/li>\n<li>Online tools<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This support improves success chances.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"stand-up-india-vs-mudra-loan\">Stand Up India vs Mudra Loan<\/h2>\n<p>The two differ:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Mudra: smaller loans (up to &#x20B9;10 lakh), open to all<\/li>\n<li>Stand Up India: &#x20B9;10 lakh to &#x20B9;1 crore, for SC\/ST and women<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Each suits a different stage and group.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"stand-up-india-and-subsidy\">Stand Up India and Subsidy<\/h2>\n<p>The scheme does not offer direct subsidies but provides easier access and support.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"key-takeaways\">Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Stand Up India offers loans from &#x20B9;10 lakh to &#x20B9;1 crore<\/li>\n<li>For SC, ST, and women entrepreneurs<\/li>\n<li>For new (greenfield) ventures only<\/li>\n<li>Tenure up to 7 years with moratorium<\/li>\n<li>Indian entrepreneurs from target groups should explore the scheme<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Stand Up India supports inclusive entrepreneurship. Plan your project carefully, use the available support, and let the scheme help build your business.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"greenfield-project\">Greenfield Project<\/h2>\n<p>Greenfield means a brand new venture started by the borrower. The scheme does not support taking over existing businesses.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Stand Up India Scheme: A Practical Guide The Stand Up India Scheme is a government programme that offers bank loans to women, Scheduled Caste (SC), and Scheduled Tribe (ST) entrepreneurs. It supports new ventures in manufacturing, services, and trading. The scheme bridges gaps in formal credit for under-served groups. This guide explains how Stand Up [&#x2026;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-13956","glossary","type-glossary","status-publish","hentry"],"blocksy_meta":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false,"web-stories-poster-portrait":false,"web-stories-publisher-logo":false,"web-stories-thumbnail":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Team Lemonn","author_link":"https:\/\/lemonn.co.in\/blog\/author\/ashu\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Stand Up India Scheme: A Practical Guide The Stand Up India Scheme is a government programme that offers bank loans to women, Scheduled Caste (SC), and Scheduled Tribe (ST) entrepreneurs. It supports new ventures in manufacturing, services, and trading. The scheme bridges gaps in formal credit for under-served groups. This guide explains how Stand Up&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lemonn.co.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/glossary\/13956","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lemonn.co.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/glossary"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lemonn.co.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/glossary"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lemonn.co.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lemonn.co.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/glossary\/13956\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lemonn.co.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13956"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}