The Stand-Up India initiative was proudly introduced by the Indian Government on 5th April 2016. This commendable program offers financial support in the form of bank loans, ranging from Rs.10 lakh to Rs.1 crore. Its objective is to empower at least one individual from the Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe category and one woman per bank branch, helping them establish greenfield businesses in fields like manufacturing, trading, or services. Through the wide network of Scheduled Commercial Banks, the scheme aims to positively impact at least 2.5 lakh aspiring entrepreneurs across the nation.
The core of Stand-Up India is fostering entrepreneurship among women and those from the SC & ST communities, groups that often face challenges due to limited mentorship and financial constraints. Through this initiative, the government seeks to capitalize on the existing credit infrastructure to uplift these valuable sections of society, guiding them in kickstarting their own ventures. Both established and budding entrepreneurs can benefit from this scheme.
To further ease the financial journey, the Government of India has established the Credit Guarantee Fund for Stand-Up India (CGFSI), ensuring collateral-free loans. Beyond mere financial support, Stand Up India goes a step further by offering comprehensive guidance to prospective borrowers, harmonizing its benefits with other Central and State Government programs. For added convenience, interested individuals can apply online through the dedicated Stand-Up India portal (www.standupmitra.in). By the end of March 2019, the scheme had already sanctioned Rs. 16,085 crores across 72,983 accounts, including 59,429 women, 3,103 from the ST community, and 10,451 from the SC community.
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