The Indian government has launched several MSME schemes specifically designed to empower and support women entrepreneurs. These schemes provide financial assistance, skill development, market access, and other resources to encourage more women to start and grow their businesses. Here’s a look at some key MSME schemes tailored for women entrepreneurs in India:

1. Trade Related Entrepreneurship Assistance and Development (TREAD) Scheme

• Objective: To provide financial assistance, skill development, and counseling support to women entrepreneurs.
• Features:
  • Financial support through banks with a grant up to 30% of the total project cost.
  • Training and counseling to improve business skills.
• Eligibility: Exclusively for women, either as individuals or through NGOs working with women entrepreneurs.

2. Mahila Udyam Nidhi Scheme

• Objective: To assist women in setting up new small-scale ventures.
• Features:
  • Offered by SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India) and several other banks.
  • Provides soft loans up to ₹10 lakh for small-scale projects with extended repayment tenures.
• Eligibility: Women-led businesses in small-scale sectors, such as handicrafts and textiles.

3. Annapurna Scheme

• Objective: To support women in establishing food catering businesses.
• Features:
  • Loans up to ₹50,000 for purchasing utensils, kitchen equipment, and other essentials for catering.
  • A one-month repayment holiday followed by a flexible repayment schedule.
• Eligibility: Women involved in food catering businesses, particularly for small food-based ventures.

4. Stree Shakti Package for Women Entrepreneurs

• Objective: To provide financial aid and interest rate concessions for women entrepreneurs.
• Features:
  • An interest rate concession of up to 0.5% on loans exceeding ₹2 lakh.
  • Available through various banks such as SBI for women-led MSMEs.
• Eligibility: Women owning more than 50% of a small business, ideally trained in entrepreneurship under government-approved programs.

5. Bharatiya Mahila Bank Business Loan

• Objective: To provide loans exclusively to women entrepreneurs in various sectors.
• Features:
  • Loans up to ₹20 crore for manufacturing enterprises.
  • Reduced interest rates with collateral-free loans for small loans up to ₹1 crore.
• Eligibility: Women entrepreneurs across various sectors, particularly manufacturing, retail, and agriculture.

6. Mudra Yojana for Women

• Objective: To offer affordable financing for small and micro-enterprises led by women.
• Features:
  • Under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), women entrepreneurs can access microloans ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹10 lakh under three categories:
    • Shishu: Loans up to ₹50,000 for startups.
    • Kishor: Loans from ₹50,000 to ₹5 lakh for mid-stage businesses.
    • Tarun: Loans from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh for established businesses looking to expand.
• Eligibility: Women-led micro and small businesses, particularly in handicrafts, tailoring, beauty, and retail sectors.

7. Udyogini Scheme

• Objective: To provide financial assistance to women entrepreneurs in rural and semi-urban areas.
• Features:
  • Loans up to ₹3 lakh are offered at low interest rates, with some subsidies for economically weaker women.
  • The scheme is designed to support businesses in sectors like agriculture, retail, and handicrafts.
• Eligibility: Women from economically weaker sections, with priority given to rural women.

8. Stand-Up India Scheme

• Objective: To support women and SC/ST entrepreneurs in setting up greenfield businesses.
• Features:
  • Loans between ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore for new businesses in manufacturing, services, or trading sectors.
  • Both working capital and term loan components are included, with a repayment tenure of up to seven years.
• Eligibility: Women and SC/ST entrepreneurs starting a new business or expanding an existing one.

9. Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Programme (ESDP)

• Objective: To provide skill development and entrepreneurship training to women in various industries.
• Features:
  • Offers training on business management, market strategies, and technical skills.
  • Conducts workshops, seminars, and training sessions to promote entrepreneurship.
• Eligibility: Women entrepreneurs interested in enhancing their technical and managerial skills.

10. SIDBI’s Assistance to Women Entrepreneurs

• Objective: SIDBI provides various financial services to support women-led businesses.
• Features:
  • Direct loan schemes tailored for women entrepreneurs.
  • Equity and quasi-equity support through dedicated funds.
  • Loan restructuring assistance during times of financial distress.
• Eligibility: Women entrepreneurs across all sectors, especially those running small and micro enterprises.

Conclusion

These schemes provide women entrepreneurs with essential resources, including financial assistance, skills training, interest rate subsidies, and market access, empowering them to establish and grow their businesses. By leveraging these resources, women entrepreneurs can play a pivotal role in India’s economic growth and foster greater gender inclusivity in the business sector.