Udyogini Scheme 2025 – Business Loan for Women Entrepreneurs

Udyogini scheme provides subsidized loans to women entrepreneurs belonging to economically weaker sections to start their business. Udyogini scheme is designed to empower women entrepreneurs from rural and underdeveloped areas by providing subsidized and even interest-free loans to special category. This scheme supports women entrepreneurship offering loans for trade and service sector businesses.

What is the Udyogini Scheme?

Udyogini scheme aims to uplift women belonging to economically weaker sections and empower them with financial support who are willing to start a business. Under Udyogini scheme, women can avail loans up to Rs. 3 Lakh from banks with subsidy of 30% to general and special category women. Women belonging to SC/ST category can avail subsidy of 50% from participating banks and NBFCs

Alternatively, women borrowers can also avail business loans to start their own business by checking and applying online on Paisabazaar at interest rates starting from 14.99% p.a. The business loans available are collateral-free with minimal documentation and flexible repayment options.

Who launched the Udyogini Scheme?

Udyogini scheme was launched by the Karnataka State Women’s Development Corporation (KSWDC), which later was scaled up by the central government to promote women’s entrepreneurship and financial independence across the nation.

Udyogini Scheme Highlights 2025
Interest Rate	Subsidized & Interest-free loans for women in special categories
Loan Amount	Up to Rs. 3 lakh
Repayment Tenure	Up to 7 years
Collateral/Security	Not required
Subsidy	Up to 50%
Processing Fee	Nil
Income Limit	Nil for Widowed or Disabled Women

Note: Loans are available for women from special categories such as widows, disabled, and SC/ST communities.

Eligibility Criteria for Udyogini Scheme

Find below the basic eligibility criteria defined by various participating banks:

• Gender and Age: Applicant should be a woman between 18 to 55 years
• Residency: Applicants must be permanent residents of Karnataka
• Family Income Limit: Less than Rs. 1.5 lakh annually for women in general and special categories
• For women belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), the income limit is up to Rs. 2 lakh
• Widowed or disabled women are exempt from the income limit criteria

Eligible Businesses

In total, 88 business activities are eligible under this scheme. The scheme supports various business activities, including Small Scale Industries (SSIs), and manufacturing, trading and retail sectors.

Documents Required

To apply for the Udyogini Scheme, women entrepreneurs need to submit the following documents:

• Duly filled application form with 2-3 passport sized photographs
• Identity Proof: Aadhar card and Birth certificate
• Address proof: Valid residential certificate, Voter ID and Ration Card
• Income Proof: Income Certificate or Below Poverty Line (BPL) Card
• Project Report relating to business activity
• Caste Certificate: Applicable for SC/ST applicants
• Bank account details: Copy of bank passbook
• Educational Qualification Certificate, if applicable

Loan Amount & Subsidy Details

Under the Udyogini Scheme, women entrepreneurs can access financial assistance with favorable terms, including subsidies and interest concessions. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

Loan Amount: Up to Rs. 3 lakh

Applicable Sectors: Supports 88 small-scale industries, including agriculture, retail, handicrafts, and services.

Subsidy Details:

Category	Subsidy Percentage	Maximum Subsidy Amount	Income Limit
SC/ST Women	50%	Rs. 1.5 lakh	Up to Rs. 2 lakh/year
Special Category (Widows, Disabled)	30%	Rs. 90,000	No Income Limit
General Category Women	30%	Rs. 90,000	Up to Rs. 1.5 lakh/year

Note: Subsidy percentages and amounts may vary based on specific state guidelines and implementing agencies.

Banks & NBFCs Offering Udyogini Scheme

Udyogini Scheme from Saraswat Bank

	Micro Enterprises	Small Scale Enterprises	Medium Enterprises
Interest Rate	11.90% p.a. onwards	11.90% p.a. onwards	11.90% p.a. onwards
Loan Amount	Up to Rs. 10 lakh	From Rs. 10 lakh up to Rs. 100 lakh	From Rs. 100 lakh up to Rs. 200 lakh
Processing Fee	Rs. 5,000	·Upto Rs. 10 lakh: Rs. 5,000 ·Above Rs. 10 lakh and Upto Rs. 25 lakh: Rs. 7,000 ·Above Rs. 25 lakh: Rs. 10,000	Rs. 15,000 or 1% of the loan amount whichever is lower
Repayment Tenure	6 Years	6 Years	7 Years
Margin	Nil	20%-25% lower than the bank’s norm	20%-25% lower than the bank’s norm
Security	Hypothecation + Guarantee of Spouse or a Family member wherever required	Hypothecation + 2 Guarantors + Collateral Security (20%)	Hypothecation + 2 Guarantors + Collateral Security (30%)

Udyogini Scheme from Punjab and Sind Bank

Interest Rate	11.50% p.a. onwards
Loan Amount	Shall depend upon purpose and case to case basis
Repayment Tenure	Up to 7 years
Processing Fees	Nil
Margin	Nil: Up to Rs. 25,000 Above Rs. 25,000: 15%-25%
Security	Nil up to Rs. 25,000 Above Rs. 25,000 – Pledge of/Hypo. of assets created out of bank loan and Guarantee of spouse or third party
Insurance Cover	Available

Udyogini Scheme from Bajaj Finserv

Interest Rate	10% – 12% Special cases: No interest
Loan Amount	Max. up to Rs. 3 lakh
Subsidy	Up to 30%
Family Income Criteria	Should be less than Rs. 1.5 lakh
Training for Skill Development	Available
Loans available for	88 Small Scale Industries

Udyogini Scheme from Karnataka State Women’s Development Corporation (KSWDC)

Interest Rate	As per business requirements
Age Criteria	Min. 18 years and Max. 55 years
Loan Amount for Women belonging to SC/ST category	Unit cost from Rs. 1 lakh – Rs. 3 lakh
Subsidy	30% to General and Special category women 50% to SC/ST category women
Family Income Criteria	Should be less than Rs. 1,50,000 for General and Special Category Should be below Rs. 2 lakh for SC/ST Category
EDP Training	Available

How to Apply for Udyogini Scheme?        

The Udyogini Scheme offers both online and offline application methods for women entrepreneurs seeking business loans. Find below the simple steps to apply for loans from participating banks under the Udyogini Scheme:

Step 1: Identify a bank/NBFC that offers loans under the Udyogini scheme.

Step 2: Visit the bank’s official website and complete the application form online

Step 3: Submit all the necessary documents required by the bank, including identity proof, address proof, project reports, BPL card, income certificates, and caste certificates (if applicable).

Step 4: The bank will verify and review all the submitted documents and if approved, the bank will notify you and disburse the loan amount.

Offline process via Women Development Corporation

To apply for the Udyogini Scheme offline through the Karnataka State Women’s Development Corporation (KSWDC), follow these steps:

Step 1: Download the application form from the official website kswdc.karnataka.gov.in or visit the office of Deputy Director or the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) in your district.

Step 2: Complete the application form and attach all the required documents.

Step 3: Submit the application form, along with documents to the nearest participating bank branch or Karnataka State Finance Corporation (KSFC) office participating in the Udyogini Scheme.

Step 4: Once the loan application form is processed and verified, the participating bank will send a request to KSWDC for subsidy approval.

Step 5: After the approval, the loan amount shall be disbursed either directly to your bank account or to the supplier’s account for the purchase of machinery and equipment.

Key Benefits of Udyogini Scheme

Find below the key benefits of Udyogini Scheme:

• Promotes women’s entrepreneurship
• Provides loans for women entrepreneurs of loan amounts up to Rs. 3 lakh
• Provides interest free loans to women belonging to SC/ST, widows and disabled women
• Easy loan process
• Subsidies ranging from 30% to 50% based on the category of the beneficiary
• Supports over 88 small scale businesses categories
• Skill development programme and training available

Udyogini Scheme vs Other Women-Centric Loans

Scheme	Loan Amount	Beneficiaries	Collateral required
Udyogini Scheme for Women Entrepreneurs	Up to Rs. 3 lakhs	Women entrepreneurs in Small-Scale Industries	No
Mudra Yojana	Up to Rs. 10 lakhs	Small and Micro-Businesses	No
Stand-Up India	Rs. 10 lakhs – Rs. 1 crore	SC/ST and Women Entrepreneurs	No
Annapurna Scheme	Up to Rs. Rs. 50,000	Women in Food Businesses	No

Note: The interest rates offered under this scheme shall vary and depend on the applicant’s profile.