Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Top 7 Government Schemes in India

In the past 10 years, India has seen a remarkable shift in its entrepreneurial landscape. 

Among the most promising and inspiring developments has been the rise of women entrepreneurs. From fashion and tech to agriculture and edtech, women are leading ventures that are not only profitable but also socially impactful.

Recognising this momentum, the Government of India has introduced various schemes and initiatives aimed at supporting and empowering women in business.

In this comprehensive blog post, we explore key government-backed initiatives that are helping women entrepreneurs in India thrive. These programmes provide financial aid, mentorship, training, and other vital resources to help women build, sustain, and scale their businesses.

Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP)

Launched by NITI Aayog, the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) is a unified access portal that brings together resources, information, mentorship, and support services for women entrepreneurs. WEP is designed to assist women at all stages of their entrepreneurial journey, from ideation and initiation to scaling and expansion.

Key Features:

• Access to funding and incubation support

• Mentorship from successful entrepreneurs

• Networking opportunities with industry leaders

• Learning modules, legal resources, and support services

Benefits:

• Centralised platform for business support

• Improved access to mentorship and investors

• Holistic growth for startups led by women

How to Apply:

• Visit the WEP website

• Create an account and complete your profile

• Explore opportunities and connect with mentors, incubators, and funding partners.

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Stand-Up India Scheme

The Stand-Up India Scheme is a flagship initiative by the Government of India aimed at promoting entrepreneurship among women and marginalised communities (SC/ST). It facilitates bank loans ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore for setting up new enterprises.

Key Features:

• Bank loans for greenfield projects

• Handholding support from the loan application to the business operation

• Dedicated portal for tracking and support

Benefits:

• Large capital assistance for setting up enterprises

• Credit guarantee and hand-holding support

• Encourages inclusive entrepreneurship

Who Can Apply:

• Women entrepreneurs aged 18 and above

• First-time entrepreneurs with greenfield projects

• Should not be a defaulter to any bank

How to Apply:

• Visit the Stand-Up India portal

• Register and fill out the loan application form

• Contact the nearest branch or designated bank officials for assistance

Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) – Mudra Loans for Women

PMMY offers collateral-free loans to micro and small businesses. Women entrepreneurs can avail of loans under three categories:

• Shishu: Loans up to ₹50,000

• Kishor: Loans from ₹50,000 to ₹5 lakhs

• Tarun: Loans from ₹5 lakhs to ₹10 lakhs

Key Features:

• No collateral required

• Easy access through banks, NBFCs, and MFIs

• Loan categorisation for various stages of business

Benefits:

• Supports small businesses and startups

• Enables women to become financially independent

• Encourages local entrepreneurship

Who Can Apply:

• Women running or planning small businesses

• Sectors like retail, food processing, beauty salons, manufacturing, etc.

How to Apply:

• Visit the Mudra official site

• Download and fill out the application form

• Approach a bank or MFI with your business proposal

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Trade Related Entrepreneurship Assistance and Development (TREAD)

TREAD is a scheme operated by the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) to promote women’s participation in trade and entrepreneurship.

Key Features:

• The government grant covers up to 30% of the total project cost

• Training and counselling through NGOS

• Credit support through banks

Benefits:

• Supports women-led micro-enterprises

• Promotes entrepreneurship in rural and semi-urban areas

• Capacity building for women entrepreneurs

Who Can Apply:

• NGOs working with women entrepreneurs

• Women engaged in SHGs or supported by NGOs

How to Apply:

• NGOs can submit project proposals to the MSME ministry

• Women should apply through registered NGOs or SHG programs

Mahila Coir Yojana

Targeted at rural women artisans, this scheme is implemented by the Coir Board under the Ministry of MSME. It provides self-employment opportunities by facilitating the production of coir-based products.

Key Features:

• Training programs in coir processing

• 75% subsidy on motorised equipment

• Support for establishing coir units

Benefits:

• Promotes rural livelihood

• Encourages traditional and eco-friendly industries

• Helps women create micro-enterprises

Who Can Apply:

• Women in rural areas interested in coir work

• Self-help groups and artisan communities

How to Apply:

• Contact the nearest Coir Board office

• Participate in training and apply for a subsidy through designated centres

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Mahila Samriddhi Yojana

This micro-finance scheme is designed to empower economically underprivileged women by offering loans for self-employment and income-generating activities.

Key Features:

• Loan support through NGOs and MFIs

• Simple documentation and disbursal process

• Financial literacy components included

Benefits:

• Enables women to launch micro-businesses

• Low-interest credit boosts self-sufficiency

• Strengthens the rural economy

Who Can Apply:

• Economically disadvantaged women

• Women engaged in small-scale or home-based businesses

How to Apply:

• Contact local NGOs or MFIs partnered with the scheme

• Fill out loan application forms and submit required documents

Annapurna Scheme

This loan is provided to women in the food catering industry, still establishing their small-scale businesses. The loan allows these women entrepreneurs to avail it as capital requirements like buying equipment and utensils, setting up trucks, etc.

Key Features:

• Loan amount of up to ₹50,000

• No collateral required for smaller amounts

• Repayment tenure up to 36 months

Benefits:

• Supports women in starting food-related businesses

• Encourages self-employment in the culinary sector

• Financially empowers homemakers and aspiring food entrepreneurs

Who Can Apply:

• Women entrepreneurs in the food and catering sector

• First-time business owners looking to set up small-scale food businesses

How to Apply:

• Approach nationalised banks offering the Annapurna Scheme (e.g., State Bank of India)

• Submit a business plan and complete the loan application

• Provide necessary KYC and background documents

The Government of India has been proactive in launching schemes that go beyond mere financial assistance. 

These initiatives provide comprehensive support through capacity building, mentoring, training, and more. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur in a Tier-III town or a seasoned founder in a metro city, these schemes aim to create a level playing field for women across India.

The rise in women-led startups is not just a social win but also a major contributor to economic growth. With the right support system and awareness of these schemes, women entrepreneurs in India are better positioned than ever to innovate, scale, and lead.

Also Read: 5 Game-Changing Government Schemes for Indian Startups