While presenting the 2025 budget Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharam launched a new scheme called as The SC/ST Women Entrepreneurs Scheme to promote entrepreneurship among women from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in India. This scheme aims to empower these women by providing them with term loan upto Rs 2 crore for the first time. Through this support women are able to develop new skills, and equip necessary resources which are required to establish and grow their businesses.
By offering this scheme government aims to create a more inclusive and equitable environment for women entrepreneurs, enabling them to thrive in the competitive business landscape. If you’re a woman who either belongs to SC or ST category and wish to get the benefits of this new scheme so stay connected with this article for complete information.
Budget for SC/ST Women Entrepreneurs Scheme
- Under this scheme government offer a total outlay of Rs 2 crore for the effective implementation of SC/ST Women Entrepreneurs Scheme 2025.
Objective of SC/ST Women Entrepreneurs Scheme
The primary objective of the SC/ST Women Entrepreneurs Scheme is to empower women from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) by promoting their participation in entrepreneurship and economic activities. This initiative aims to provide financial support through easy access to loans and subsidies, thereby alleviating the financial barriers that often hinder these women from starting or expanding their businesses. Additionally, the scheme focuses on enhancing their skills through training and capacity-building programs, equipping them with the necessary knowledge to succeed in various industries.
By fostering an entrepreneurial spirit among SC/ST women, the scheme seeks to improve their socio-economic status, promote self-reliance, and contribute to the overall development of their communities. Ultimately, it aims to create a more inclusive economic environment where women entrepreneurs can thrive and contribute significantly to the nation’s growth.
Short Summary of SC/ST Women Entrepreneurs Scheme
| Name of Scheme | SC/ST Women Entrepreneurs Scheme. |
| Offered By | Union Finance Minister of India. |
| Year | 2025-26 |
| Objective | To support SC/ST women by providing financial assistance |
| Budget | Rs. 2 crore. |
| Target Beneficiaries | SC/ST women of the nation. |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Official website | – |
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for SC/ST Women Entrepreneurs Scheme, applicant must have to meet the following eligibility criteria’s these are as mentioned below
- Applicant must be a permanent resident of India
- Applicant must be an Indian women.
- Applicant must belongs to SC/ST community.
Important Dates
| Events | Dates |
| Budget presented on | 01/02/2025 |
Benefits of SC/ST Women Entrepreneurs Scheme
Here are the benefits of this scheme:
- Collateral Free Loan: The scheme provides collateral-free working capital loans up to Rs. 10,000 for a 1-year tenure. Street vendors can get an interest subsidy at 7% per annum. Incentives are given to those who make timely repayment of loans with cashback upto ₹1200 per annum on undertaking prescribed digital transactions.
- Subsidized Interest Rates: Women entrepreneurs can avail loans at subsidized interest rates, reducing the overall cost of borrowing and making it more affordable to manage business expenses.
- Government Support: The scheme is backed by government initiatives, ensuring that women entrepreneurs receive the necessary support and resources to thrive.
- Support for Startups: The scheme encourages innovation and supports startup ventures by providing guidance and mentorship, helping women navigate the challenges of starting a new business.
- Awareness Programs: The scheme often conducts awareness programs to educate women about their rights, government schemes, and available resources to support their entrepreneurial journey.
- Promotion of Self-Employment: By encouraging women to start their own businesses, the scheme promotes self-employment, which can lead to greater economic independence and empowerment.
- Social Recognition: Successful women entrepreneurs can serve as role models in their communities, inspiring others to pursue entrepreneurship and break societal barriers.
These benefits collectively aim to empower SC and ST women, enabling them to become successful entrepreneurs and contribute to the economy.
Number of Beneficiaries
- Under this scheme government aims to empower women of India by providing loan upto Rs 2 crore to more than 5 lakhs women nationwide.
Salient Features
- Targeted Support: The scheme specifically focuses on women belonging to SC and ST communities, recognizing the unique challenges they face in entrepreneurship. This targeted approach ensures that resources are directed to those who need them the most.
- Financial Assistance: One of the key features is the provision of financial support in the form of loans and grants. This financial backing helps women start their own businesses, covering initial costs such as equipment, materials, and operational expenses.
- Skill Development Programs: To enhance the capabilities of women entrepreneurs, the scheme includes various training and skill development programs. These programs cover essential skills such as business management, marketing strategies, and financial planning, helping women build a strong foundation for their businesses.
- Promotion of Self-Employment: By encouraging women to start their own businesses, the scheme promotes self-employment as a viable career option. This not only helps women achieve financial independence but also contributes to the overall economic development of their communities.
- Government Backing: Being a government initiative, the scheme provides a level of credibility and assurance to women entrepreneurs. They can rely on government support and resources to help them succeed in their ventures.
- Impact: These features work together to create a supportive environment for SC and ST women entrepreneurs, enabling them to overcome barriers and achieve their business goals.
How to Get Benefits?
To get benefits of SC/ST Women Entrepreneurs Scheme, applicant must have to follow up these steps
Step 1: Firstly, applicant needs to visit the official website.
Step 2: Once the applicant reaches the home page of the official website now needs to click on Apply Online option
Step 3: A new page will open on the screen now applicant needs to fill all the asked details carefully
Step 4: Once quickly review all the mentioned details carefully.
Step 5: At last click on Submit option
In this way applicant can easily fill their application form online.
FAQs
Q. Who launched this SC/ST Women Entrepreneurs Scheme 2025?
Union Finance Minister of India launched SC/ST Women Entrepreneurs Scheme.
Q. How can we apply for the SC/ST Women Entrepreneurs Scheme Online?
By visiting the official website you can easily apply for the SC/ST Women Entrepreneurs Scheme Online.
Q. What is the total budget launched under SC/ST Women Entrepreneurs Scheme?
Under this a total budget of Rs. 2 crore has been released by the union finance minister of India.
Q. Is this SC/ST Women Entrepreneurs Scheme is only available for SC/ST Women of India?
Yes, SC/ST Women Entrepreneurs Scheme is only available for SC/ST Women of India.