Micro Finance (GBCDC) — ₹1,25,000 Loan at 5% Interest
A low-interest micro-finance loan of up to ₹1,25,000 from GBCDC, Gujarat, at 5% per annum, for men from socially and educationally backward classes who want to start a self-employment venture.
- Funding amount
- ₹1.3L (debt / loan)
- Funding type
- Debt / Loan
- Provider
- Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Government of Gujarat (Government)
- Application deadline
- Rolling
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
This loan window is run by the Gujarat Backwards Classes Development Corporation (GBCDC) on behalf of the Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Government of Gujarat. Its purpose is direct: put affordable capital behind men from socially and educationally backward classes in the state so they can build an income of their own instead of depending on wage work.
The scheme responds to a real gap. Applicants from this group often find it difficult to obtain credit from conventional lenders on workable terms, and without money behind them a skill or a trade idea stays unused. By lending at a low rate of interest, the programme turns that skill into a small enterprise and, over time, into a steady livelihood.
Support is delivered as debt, which means a beneficiary keeps complete ownership of the venture and simply repays the borrowed sum along with interest through monthly instalments. Applications are accepted right through the year, so there is no single window a founder has to wait for.
Highlights
- Loan of up to ₹1,25,000 for a self-employment venture
- Interest rate of just 5% per annum
- Repaid over 48 equal monthly instalments
- Beneficiary contributes 5% of the unit cost
- Open to men from socially and educationally backward classes in Gujarat
- Applications accepted round the year — no fixed last date
Who can apply
Who the scheme is for
The Micro Finance (GBCDC) scheme is aimed at men who belong to socially and educationally backward classes and are based in Gujarat.
The conditions that must be met
- Family income: the total annual income of the applicant's family must not be more than ₹3,00,000.
- Age: the applicant has to be at least 21 years old and no older than 45 years on the date the application is made.
- Work experience: the applicant must already have experience in a business or occupation that calls for technical or other skills.
- Gender: the scheme is directed at male applicants.
What this means in practice
Caste or community status, family income and age are the three details that decide whether an application moves forward, so supporting certificates for each of them should be ready before you begin the online form.
Micro Finance (GBCDC) — ₹1,25,000 Loan at 5% Interest is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Deadline & timing
Micro Finance (GBCDC) — ₹1,25,000 Loan at 5% Interest accepts applications on a rolling basis — there is no fixed cut-off date, so eligible startups can apply at any time. Because rolling programmes can pause without notice, confirm the window is still open on the official site before you start.
What the funding covers
Loan amount: an eligible beneficiary can borrow up to ₹1,25,000 for a self-employment venture.
Interest: the loan is offered at 5 percent per annum, which keeps the cost of borrowing low.
Repayment: the borrowed amount, interest included, is returned through 48 equal monthly instalments — a four-year schedule that keeps each instalment manageable.
Cost sharing: the arrangement provides 90% of the unit cost as a loan. Within that funding structure, 90% comes from the national corporation and 5% from the state government, while the beneficiary brings in 5% of the unit cost.
No equity given up: because the support is a loan, no share of ownership in the business passes to the corporation or the government.
About the provider
Micro Finance (GBCDC) — ₹1,25,000 Loan at 5% Interest is offered by Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Government of Gujarat, a government body. As a government-backed debt / loan, it is publicly funded and open to eligible startups across India.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Application screening. GBCDC examines the online applications it receives and checks the entries against the scheme's requirements.
Eligibility verification. Caste, income, age and business experience are verified — these four conditions determine whether an applicant qualifies.
Assessment of the business proposal. The venture being proposed and the way the loan will be used are studied, to judge whether the plan is viable and in line with what the scheme is intended to support.
Committee evaluation. Applications that clear the earlier checks are placed before a selection committee for evaluation.
Interview or further verification. In some cases, shortlisted applicants may be called for an interview or asked for additional verification before a decision is taken.
Approval and disbursement. Once the application is approved, the loan amount is released to the beneficiary.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Micro Finance (GBCDC) — ₹1,25,000 Loan at 5% Interest, keep the following documents ready:
- A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
- Company registration documents and PAN
- Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
- Recent financial statements or projections
- Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available
Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.
Who this is best for
Micro Finance (GBCDC) — ₹1,25,000 Loan at 5% Interest is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹1.3L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How much money can I borrow under the Micro Finance (GBCDC) scheme?
An eligible beneficiary can receive up to ₹1,25,000 as a loan for a self-employment venture.
What interest rate applies, and how long do I get to repay?
The loan is charged at 5 percent per annum. The full amount, interest included, is repaid in 48 equal monthly instalments, which works out to a four-year repayment schedule.
Who is eligible to apply?
The scheme is open to men from socially and educationally backward classes in Gujarat. Their total annual family income must not exceed ₹3,00,000, their age must be between 21 and 45 years on the date of application, and they must have experience in a business or occupation that requires technical or other skills.
Does the scheme take equity in my business?
No. The support is structured as a loan, so you retain full ownership of your venture and repay the borrowed amount with interest over the agreed instalments. No stake in the business is handed over.
Do I have to put in any money of my own?
Yes. The unit cost is structured so that 90% is provided as a loan, and the beneficiary contributes 5% of the unit cost. Within the loan portion, 90% is sourced from the national corporation and 5% from the state government.
Is there an application deadline I need to meet?
No fixed closing date applies — the scheme runs on a rolling basis and applications can be submitted at any time of the year through the GBCDC online portal.
What documents will I need to upload?
The mandatory uploads are your caste certificate, income certificate, Aadhaar card, a passport-size photograph, the first page of your bank passbook and proof of residence.
How do I apply for the loan?
Applications are made online at https://gbcdconline.gujarat.gov.in/. First-time applicants complete a new registration with their name, mobile number, email and Aadhaar number, set a password and verify an OTP. After logging in, choose "New Application" and then "Micro Finance Scheme", fill in the personal, address, income, loan requirement and bank account sections, upload the documents, use the preview option to check everything, and submit. The Application ID you receive should be saved or printed for tracking.
How is my application assessed after I submit it?
GBCDC reviews the application and verifies caste, income, age and business experience. The proposed venture and how the loan will be used are then assessed for viability, and applications that clear these checks go before a selection committee. Shortlisted applicants may be asked to attend an interview or provide further verification before the loan is approved and disbursed.
Can I apply if I have no prior business experience?
No. Experience in a business or occupation that requires technical or other skills is one of the eligibility conditions, so the scheme expects applicants to bring some relevant work background with them.
Is DPIIT recognition required for Micro Finance (GBCDC) — ₹1,25,000 Loan at 5% Interest?
No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for Micro Finance (GBCDC) — ₹1,25,000 Loan at 5% Interest, though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.
Who offers Micro Finance (GBCDC) — ₹1,25,000 Loan at 5% Interest?
Micro Finance (GBCDC) — ₹1,25,000 Loan at 5% Interest is offered by Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Government of Gujarat, a government body. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.
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