Incentives to Women Entrepreneurs Scheme 2008 — Goa Subsidy Up to ₹8L — Frequently Asked Questions

It was a subsidy programme launched in 2008 by the Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce, Government of Goa. It gave women-owned industrial units in the state a set of financial and preferential incentives — chiefly an interest subsidy, an extra employment subsidy and priority under capital contribution schemes — with the goal of encouraging women's entrepreneurship and self-employment. The scheme stayed in force until 31 March 2011.

The headline benefit was an interest subsidy running for 5 years, or 20 quarters, starting from the quarter before first commercial production. In the standard case it covered the lower of 1% of net turnover or 30% of the interest paid, subject to a ceiling of ₹5,00,000 per annum. In specified cases the limits were raised to 2% of turnover and 35% of interest paid, with the annual ceiling going up to ₹8,00,000. On top of this, eligible units got a 5% additional employment subsidy.

Only two kinds of business structures qualified: proprietary concerns and partnership firms. A proprietary concern had to be 100% owned by a woman. A partnership firm needed women holding at least 51% of the ownership. The unit also had to have started commercial production or service on or after the scheme's publication date.

The 49% held by others could not be entirely in the hands of the woman partner's husband, father, brother or son. At least one additional partner had to be someone outside those four relationships. This was designed to keep the benefit genuinely with women-led enterprises rather than routing it back to close male relatives.

No. This was a subsidy scheme, so the support was non-dilutive — the government did not take a stake in the business and the benefit was not structured as a loan to be repaid. It functioned as a reduction in the unit's interest and employment costs.

It added 5% on top of whatever the unit was already eligible for under the original Local Employment Subsidy Scheme. The claim was processed through the existing rules and procedures of that underlying scheme rather than through a separate standalone mechanism.

Beyond the subsidies, eligible women-owned units received preferential treatment under Goa's Capital Contribution Scheme and Special Capital Contribution Scheme. This gave them an edge in accessing state capital contribution support alongside the direct cost relief.

No. It was introduced in 2008 and remained in force only until 31 March 2011, after which it ceased to operate. Any claims had to be made within that window.

Applicants filed claims in a specified proforma after the close of every financial year, and before 31 May. The claim had to follow the procedures, rules and requirements of the particular underlying scheme under which the additional benefit was being sought.

A Task Force Committee handled scrutiny and recommendations. It included representatives from the Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce, the Finance Department and various industry associations. The committee was expected to finish its review within three months of receiving an application, and disbursement was to follow within six months of the application date.

The application deadline for Incentives to Women Entrepreneurs Scheme 2008 — Goa Subsidy Up to ₹8L is Closed (31 Mar 2011). Deadlines can be revised, so reconfirm on the official source before applying.

No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for Incentives to Women Entrepreneurs Scheme 2008 — Goa Subsidy Up to ₹8L, though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.

Incentives to Women Entrepreneurs Scheme 2008 — Goa Subsidy Up to ₹8L is offered by Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce, Government of Goa, a government body. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.

Apply directly through the official application link on this page. Review the eligibility criteria and prepare your startup documents before you begin.