Livelihood Opportunity Promotion Scheme (ST) — Loan + Grant up to ₹2L
A Social Welfare Department scheme for Scheduled Tribe residents of Uttarakhand, offering a bank loan, repayable margin money and a grant of up to ₹50,000 for self-employment projects costing ₹50,000 to ₹2,00,000. Applications stay open round the year.
- Funding amount
- ₹50,000 – ₹2L (debt / loan)
- Funding type
- Debt / Loan
- Provider
- Social Welfare Department, Government of Uttarakhand (Government)
- Application deadline
- Rolling
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
The Social Welfare Department of the Government of Uttarakhand runs this scheme to help Scheduled Tribe residents of the state build their own livelihood instead of depending on wage work. It is a debt-and-grant package rather than an equity deal: public money goes in as a bank loan, a repayable slice of margin money and a small grant, and the beneficiary keeps ownership of the unit.
A single project is expected to cost between ₹50,000 and ₹2,00,000. Within that band, the bank loan carries 60% of the project cost, margin money carries 30% and comes back with 7% annual interest spread over 60 monthly instalments, while a grant of up to ₹50,000 is added to make the proposal viable.
The applicant's own stake stays deliberately low. A project costing up to ₹1,00,000 needs no contribution at all, while one between ₹1,01,000 and ₹2,00,000 requires 10% from the beneficiary.
There is no fixed last date. Forms are accepted on a rolling basis, so an applicant can file whenever the livelihood proposal is ready to be assessed.
Highlights
- Funds self-employment projects costing ₹50,000 to ₹2,00,000
- Bank loan of 60%, margin money of 30% and a grant of up to ₹50,000
- Margin money repaid at 7% annual interest over 60 monthly instalments
- No beneficiary contribution for projects up to ₹1,00,000
- Open to Scheduled Tribe residents of Uttarakhand aged 18 to 50
- Rolling applications — no fixed deadline
Who can apply
The scheme is open to individuals who clear four conditions:
- Domicile: the applicant must be a permanent resident of Uttarakhand.
- Community: the applicant must belong to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.
- Age: between 18 and 50 years.
- Family income: annual family income of ₹2,50,000 or less.
Only individual beneficiaries are covered, and the unit being funded has to be set up within Uttarakhand. The income ceiling and the ST category requirement keep the benefit pointed at Scheduled Tribe families in the state who want to move into their own income-generating activity.
Livelihood Opportunity Promotion Scheme (ST) — Loan + Grant up to ₹2L 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
Livelihood Opportunity Promotion Scheme (ST) — Loan + Grant up to ₹2L 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
Support is assembled around one livelihood project whose total cost falls between ₹50,000 and ₹2,00,000, and it reaches the beneficiary in three parts:
- Bank loan: 60% of the project cost.
- Margin money: 30% of the project cost, repaid at 7% annual interest across 60 monthly instalments.
- Grant: up to ₹50,000, meant to reduce the overall financial load.
The beneficiary's own contribution depends on how large the project is — nil for projects up to ₹1,00,000, and 10% for projects between ₹1,01,000 and ₹2,00,000. Because a portion of the money arrives as a grant rather than as debt, the amount the promoter has to repay is smaller than the project cost itself.
About the provider
Livelihood Opportunity Promotion Scheme (ST) — Loan + Grant up to ₹2L is offered by Social Welfare Department, Government of Uttarakhand, 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
- Step 1: The application is filed at the Vikas Khand (Block Development) Office, which forwards it to the District Social Welfare Officer.
- Step 2: The District Social Welfare Officer carries out the initial review and verification of the application.
- Step 3: A District-Level Committee headed by the District Social Welfare Officer examines every eligible proposal in detail.
- Step 4: Beneficiaries are selected on the viability of the proposed livelihood project and on how closely the application meets the scheme's criteria, keeping the process fair and transparent.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Livelihood Opportunity Promotion Scheme (ST) — Loan + Grant up to ₹2L, 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
Livelihood Opportunity Promotion Scheme (ST) — Loan + Grant up to ₹2L is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹50,000 – ₹2L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does the scheme provide?
Projects supported under the scheme cost between ₹50,000 and ₹2,00,000. The package is made up of a bank loan covering 60% of the project cost, margin money covering 30%, and a grant of up to ₹50,000 that eases the total burden.
Is there a deadline for applying?
No. The scheme runs on a rolling basis with no fixed last date, so an applicant can submit the form whenever the livelihood proposal is ready.
Who can apply for this scheme?
The applicant has to be a permanent resident of Uttarakhand, belong to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category, be between 18 and 50 years of age, and have an annual family income of no more than ₹2,50,000. All four conditions apply together.
Does the scheme take equity in my business?
No. The support is structured as a bank loan, repayable margin money and a grant, so no share or ownership stake is taken in the unit. The beneficiary remains the owner of the livelihood project being funded.
How much do I have to contribute from my own pocket?
Nothing for a project costing up to ₹1,00,000. If the project costs between ₹1,01,000 and ₹2,00,000, the beneficiary puts in 10% of the project cost.
How is the margin money repaid?
Margin money is the 30% share of the project cost that has to be returned. It carries 7% annual interest and is repaid over 60 monthly instalments. The grant portion, up to ₹50,000, is not repaid.
How do I apply for the Livelihood Opportunity Promotion Scheme?
Download the application form from the official website, fill in all the mandatory fields, and attach self-attested copies of the required documents. The duly filled and signed form, along with the documents, is then submitted to the Vikas Khand (Block Development) Office. The form is available at http://www.ukbvvn.org.in/frmJeevikaAvsarProtsahanYojna.html.
How are beneficiaries selected?
The Vikas Khand (Block Development) Office first forwards the application to the District Social Welfare Officer, who verifies it during an initial review. A District-Level Committee headed by the District Social Welfare Officer then studies all eligible proposals and selects beneficiaries based on how viable their livelihood project is and how well it fits the scheme's criteria.
Can someone living outside Uttarakhand apply?
No. Permanent residency in Uttarakhand is a mandatory condition, along with Scheduled Tribe category status, an age between 18 and 50 years, and an annual family income not exceeding ₹2,50,000.
What kind of activity can be funded?
The scheme funds viable livelihood projects that set up income-generating self-employment units for the beneficiary. The proposal has to fall within the ₹50,000 to ₹2,00,000 cost band, and its viability is judged by the District-Level Committee during selection.
Is DPIIT recognition required for Livelihood Opportunity Promotion Scheme (ST) — Loan + Grant up to ₹2L?
No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for Livelihood Opportunity Promotion Scheme (ST) — Loan + Grant up to ₹2L, though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.
Who offers Livelihood Opportunity Promotion Scheme (ST) — Loan + Grant up to ₹2L?
Livelihood Opportunity Promotion Scheme (ST) — Loan + Grant up to ₹2L is offered by Social Welfare Department, Government of Uttarakhand, a government body. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.
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