NDFDC Self-Employment Loan Scheme — Up to ₹25L for PwDs in Himachal Pradesh — Frequently Asked Questions

The maximum loan available is ₹25,00,000, which works out to ₹25 lakh. There is no stated minimum, so the exact figure would depend on your project requirements and what the assessing authorities approve.

Interest is charged at a subsidised rate of 5% to 8%. If you are a woman with a disability, you get a further 1% concession, which brings your effective rate below the standard slab.

You need to be a resident of Himachal Pradesh, unemployed at the time of applying, and a Person with Disability certified at 40% or more by a competent authority. Your annual income also has to be under ₹3,00,000 if you live in a rural area, or under ₹5,00,000 if you live in an urban area. All of these conditions apply together.

No. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year and there is no closing date, so you can file your papers as soon as your project is ready.

No such registration is required. The documents the scheme asks for are your disability certificate showing 40% or more disability, an income certificate, a detailed project estimate for the business you propose to start, and the required surety documents.

The scheme is deliberately broad and does not restrict applicants to specific industries. Any reasonable self-employment venture can be proposed, whether in retail, services, small manufacturing, trading or another line of activity, as long as the project is viable and you can run it.

The money can go towards the initial setup costs of the business, its working capital needs, and day-to-day operational expenses. That makes it useful both for buying equipment and getting started, and for keeping an existing venture running smoothly.

No. This is a debt facility, so the government does not take any stake or ownership in your venture. You remain the full owner and repay the borrowed amount along with interest at the applicable rate.

The process is offline. Collect the prescribed application form from your District Welfare Officer or Tehsil Welfare Officer, fill it in, attach the disability certificate, income certificate, project estimate and surety documents, and submit the complete set to the same officer. Your application is then forwarded to the concerned authorities for processing and approval.

The scheme does not mention any age limit, and no prior company incorporation is required. It is designed for unemployed Persons with Disabilities who want to start a new self-employment venture.

NDFDC Self-Employment Loan Scheme — Up to ₹25L for PwDs in Himachal Pradesh is offered by Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of Himachal Pradesh, a government body. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.