Gujarat Small Business Scheme — ₹2 Lakh Loan at 6% for Rabari & Bharwad — Frequently Asked Questions

An individual applicant can borrow up to ₹2,00,000. The scheme also limits its support to 95% of the project cost, so the sanctioned figure is the lower of the two — a project costing ₹2 lakh or more still draws a maximum of ₹2 lakh, while a cheaper project is funded to 95% of its cost.

It is a loan. The money is given as individual debt that has to be repaid, not as a grant or subsidy. Interest is charged at 6% per annum, which is the rate fixed under the scheme. Because the funding is debt rather than equity, Gujarat Gopalak Vikas Nigam does not take any ownership stake in your business.

Three conditions apply. The applicant must belong to the Rabari or Bharwad caste, both of which are part of Gujarat's Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC). Their age must be between 21 and 45 years. And their total annual family income must not be more than ₹3,00,000.

No such requirement is listed for this scheme. Eligibility is decided entirely on community, age and annual family income — the applicant must be from the Rabari or Bharwad community, aged 21 to 45, with family income of ₹3,00,000 or less per year.

The scheme is meant for micro-enterprises. Grocery shops, dairy parlours, animal food outlets and mobile or computer repair shops are the examples named, and the list is illustrative rather than exhaustive, so other small business ideas are also supported.

The loan can cover up to 95% of the total project cost. You are expected to bring in the remaining 5% yourself. That means the scheme carries almost the entire cost of getting a small venture off the ground, within the ₹2 lakh loan ceiling.

The online form asks for your unit cost and the loan amount you need, along with Aadhaar, ration card and voter ID details, your full name and address, date of birth and age, caste and subcaste, contact details and marital status. You also enter your income certificate particulars (number, issue date, issuing officer and total annual family income), your education qualification, and details of any earlier loans including amounts paid and outstanding. Bank information is required as well — account number, bank and branch names, account type, MICR code and IFSC code. There are also declarations about physical disability and about any family member holding a government or private job.

No. The scheme runs on a rolling basis and stays open throughout the year, so there is no last date to beat. You can submit your application whenever your business plan and paperwork are ready.

Applications are made online. Go to the Gujarat Gopalak Development Corporation website at ggdconline.gujarat.gov.in, locate the Small Business Scheme and click Apply Now, which takes you to the form at gbcdconline.gujarat.gov.in/SchemeSmallBusiness/AddEdit. Fill in your project and personal details, review everything using the preview option, complete the CAPTCHA and submit. Scheme information is also published on the Social Justice and Empowerment Department page at sje.gujarat.gov.in/ggvn/scheme/nana-dhandha-scheme.

Once you submit, save or print the Application ID or reference number and acknowledgement you receive. To check progress, return to the Gujarat Gopalak Development Corporation website, click on Know App Status, enter the scheme name, your application number and your date of birth, fill in the CAPTCHA and submit to see the current status.

No. Gujarat Small Business Scheme — ₹2 Lakh Loan at 6% for Rabari & Bharwad is debt / loan and is non-dilutive — the provider does not take an equity stake in your startup.

Gujarat Small Business Scheme — ₹2 Lakh Loan at 6% for Rabari & Bharwad is offered by Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Government of Gujarat, a government body. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.