Revamped Stand-Up India scheme soon: Sitharaman

The Centre will soon introduce a revamped version of the Stand-Up India scheme aimed at expanding financial support for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and women entrepreneurs seeking to establish new enterprises, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed the Lok Sabha on Monday.

The scheme, originally launched in 2016 to promote entrepreneurship among underrepresented communities, had facilitated bank loans to eligible beneficiaries for setting up greenfield projects. The programme expired on March 31, 2025, and the government is now working on a revised framework based on the experience gained during its implementation.

Responding to a supplementary question in the Lok Sabha, Sitharaman said the redesigned scheme is being prepared after examining studies conducted by NITI Aayog and other agencies. She noted that the government is incorporating lessons from the earlier phase of the programme to make the scheme more effective and beneficial.

According to the minister, the proposal for the modified scheme will soon be placed before the Union Cabinet for approval. Once cleared, the new version will continue the objective of empowering SC, ST and women entrepreneurs across the country by providing improved financial access and institutional support.

Under the earlier version of the scheme, eligible beneficiaries could avail bank loans ranging from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 1 crore at the lowest applicable interest rate for the category. The loans carried a repayment period of up to seven years, along with a maximum moratorium of 18 months.

When asked whether the government plans to increase the loan amount under the revamped programme, Sitharaman said several options are being considered while drafting the new scheme.

Addressing concerns about the scheme’s focus on greenfield projects, the minister said entrepreneurs seeking loans for other business activities already have access to alternative financing options. These include credit through the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, funding from the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), and support under the Startup India initiative, which primarily promotes innovative ventures, especially in urban areas.