Mahila Samriddhi Yojana: Up to ₹1.4L Loan for Women Entrepreneurs — Frequently Asked Questions

It is a microfinance scheme from the National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC), which operates under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It gives women from poor and socially backward families access to a low-interest loan plus skill training, so they can start or grow a business of their own.

An eligible woman can receive a microfinance loan of up to ₹1,40,000, that is ₹1.4 lakh. This is a repayable loan rather than a grant, and it carries a rebate on interest to make it more affordable.

The scheme is open to women aged between 18 and 55 years. Applicants must come from a low-income family, or belong to an SC, ST or OBC community as notified by the Central or State Government, and their family income must be below ₹3 lakh per annum. They should be intending to start their own business or take up an income-generating activity.

No. The Mahila Samriddhi Yojana is a debt product — the money is lent and has to be repaid, so no equity or ownership stake in your business is taken.

The loan can be repaid over up to 3.5 years, or 42 months, including any moratorium period. Instalments are paid quarterly, counted from the date of each disbursement, and the repayment schedule is fixed by your State Channelizing Agency or Channelizing Agency.

There is no fixed deadline. Applications under this scheme are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, so you can apply whenever your documentation is ready.

The eligibility conditions stated for this scheme are age (18 to 55 years), annual family income below ₹3 lakh, and belonging to an SC, ST, OBC or other notified backward or low-income group. DPIIT recognition and MSME registration are not listed among the requirements.

Download the application form from the official NSFDC website (nsfdc.nic.in) or from your state government portal. Fill in details such as your name, age, contact information and the amount you need, then submit it with the required documents to the District Office of a State Channelizing Agency, or to another NSFDC Channelizing Agency such as a Regional Rural Bank, a public sector bank or an NBFC-MFI.

The scheme covers the cost of training in suitable craft activities and provides a stipend to women who take part in that training, which is delivered to groups of women. Once you have repaid your MSY loan through your State Channelizing Agency, you also become eligible to apply for further loans under other NSFDC schemes.

Groups of women, including self-help groups, are part of the scheme — the craft training component is built around them, and eligible self-help groups can also receive the microfinance loan of up to ₹1,40,000.

Mahila Samriddhi Yojana: Up to ₹1.4L Loan for Women Entrepreneurs is offered by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, 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.