Mukhyamantri Nahri Kendra: ₹5L Subsidy + 4% Loan for Tribal Women
A Gujarat government scheme that funds Scheduled Tribe women to open and run a Nahri Kendra selling traditional tribal food and home-made products — half the project cost as a subsidy of up to ₹5 lakh, the other half as a loan at 4% per annum.
- Funding amount
- ₹1L – ₹10L (grant)
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- Tribal Development Department, Government of Gujarat (Government)
- Application deadline
- Rolling
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
The Mukhyamantri Nahri Kendra is a self-employment scheme from the Tribal Development Department, Government of Gujarat. It funds tribal women to set up and operate a Nahri Kendra — a women-run outlet built around traditional tribal dishes and other home-made products. The objective is economic as much as social: a funded venture that lifts the owner's income and, with it, her household's standard of living.
The scheme's financial design is what makes it stand out. Instead of a single grant or a single loan, it blends the two, so an entrepreneur is never asked to bring her own capital to the table. That removes the biggest entry barrier for first-time business owners who have the skills and the local product knowledge but no access to formal credit.
By confining itself to tribal areas of Gujarat, the programme speaks directly to the constraints those communities face — thin markets for traditional produce, limited finance, few self-employment openings. It turns existing skills and local products into a commercial livelihood. Applications run on a rolling basis, so there is no fixed window to wait for.
Applications are screened by the Gujarat Tribal Development Corporation (GTDC), which verifies identity, tribal status and residence, and judges whether the proposed Kendra is viable before assistance is approved.
Highlights
- Non-repayable subsidy of up to ₹5,00,000, covering 50% of project cost
- Matching loan at a concessional 4% interest per annum
- Project costs supported up to ₹10,00,000
- No upfront contribution from the beneficiary
- Loan repaid over 5 years in 20 equal installments; early repayment allowed without penalty
- Open only to Scheduled Tribe women in Gujarat's tribal areas; applications accepted on a rolling basis
Who can apply
The scheme is tightly targeted, and every condition below must be met:
- Gender: the applicant must be a woman.
- Category: she must belong to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.
- Location: she must be residing in a tribal area within Gujarat.
- Venture: she must already be engaged in, or willing to establish, a self-employment venture — specifically a Nahri Kendra.
There is no separate fee, capital contribution or prior business turnover requirement mentioned, which makes the scheme approachable for first-time entrepreneurs.
One practical note: the GTDC online portal displays only the schemes that apply to an applicant's caste category, so ST applicants will see Mukhyamantri Nahri Kendra listed once they log in.
Mukhyamantri Nahri Kendra: ₹5L Subsidy + 4% Loan for Tribal Women 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
Mukhyamantri Nahri Kendra: ₹5L Subsidy + 4% Loan for Tribal Women 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
The assistance is structured in two halves that together cover the entire project cost.
- Subsidy: 50% of the project cost, capped at ₹5,00,000, is provided as a non-repayable subsidy. This portion is never returned.
- Concessional loan: the remaining 50% of the project cost is extended as a loan charged at 4% interest per annum.
- Project ceiling: the total project cost that can be supported is ₹10,00,000.
Disbursement. The subsidy is released in two installments — 60% as the first tranche and the remaining 40% once the project shows satisfactory progress.
Repayment. The loan, along with interest, is repaid over 5 years (60 months) through 20 equal installments. Beneficiaries may repay earlier if they wish, and doing so carries no penalty.
No upfront contribution. The scheme explicitly requires no upfront financial contribution from the beneficiary, which is what makes it workable for women entering business for the first time.
No equity. The support is a grant-and-loan package, so no stake in the venture is taken in return.
About the provider
Mukhyamantri Nahri Kendra: ₹5L Subsidy + 4% Loan for Tribal Women is offered by Tribal Development Department, Government of Gujarat, a government body. As a government-backed grant, 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
Applications are screened by the Gujarat Tribal Development Corporation (GTDC). That screening verifies the applicant's identity, her tribal status and her place of residence, and it also examines whether the Nahri Kendra she proposes is a workable proposition.
Applications that clear this first filter are then assessed on how complete they are and how closely they follow the scheme's guidelines. The published details do not describe further rounds or a committee structure, but a formal assessment of both the applicant and the project is what ultimately determines whether financial assistance is sanctioned.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Mukhyamantri Nahri Kendra: ₹5L Subsidy + 4% Loan for Tribal Women, 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
Mukhyamantri Nahri Kendra: ₹5L Subsidy + 4% Loan for Tribal Women is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹1L – ₹10L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is the Mukhyamantri Nahri Kendra scheme?
It is a self-employment scheme from the Tribal Development Department, Government of Gujarat, that helps Scheduled Tribe women in the state's tribal areas open and run a Nahri Kendra — a women-run outlet selling traditional tribal dishes and other home-made products. The scheme supplies the capital, partly as a subsidy and partly as a low-interest loan, with the aim of raising the owner's income and living standards.
How much funding can I receive?
Project costs of up to ₹10,00,000 can be supported. Of that, 50% — up to a maximum of ₹5,00,000 — comes as a non-repayable subsidy, while the other 50% is given as a loan at 4% per annum. Since the two halves move together, the amount you actually receive depends on the size of your approved project.
Is the money a grant or a loan?
Effectively both. Half of the approved project cost is a subsidy that you never repay, capped at ₹5,00,000, and the other half is a loan you repay with interest over five years. You are not required to put in any capital of your own upfront.
Who is eligible to apply?
The scheme is open to women only. The applicant must belong to the Scheduled Tribe category and must be residing in a tribal area of Gujarat. She must also be engaged in, or willing to establish, a self-employment venture in the form of a Nahri Kendra.
Does the scheme take equity in my business?
No. The assistance is a grant-and-loan package — a non-repayable subsidy plus a concessional loan. Neither component involves handing over a stake in the venture, so ownership stays entirely with you.
How is the subsidy released, and how do I repay the loan?
The subsidy is paid in two tranches: 60% first, and the remaining 40% once the project shows satisfactory progress. The loan is repaid over 5 years (60 months) in 20 equal installments that include interest. You may also close the loan early — there is no penalty for doing so.
Is there a deadline to apply?
No. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and the scheme remains open throughout the year, so you can apply whenever your project plan is ready.
Do I need DPIIT or MSME registration?
Neither is listed among the scheme's conditions. What the scheme asks for is that the applicant is a woman from the Scheduled Tribe category, residing in a tribal area of Gujarat, with a Nahri Kendra venture to establish or run.
What information and documents do I need?
Registration on the GTDC portal asks for your full name exactly as it appears on your Aadhaar card, your gender, date of birth, Aadhaar number, mobile number, and a username and password of your choice. After logging in, the detailed application form must be completed and the necessary documents uploaded with it.
How do I apply for the Mukhyamantri Nahri Kendra?
Apply online through the Gujarat Tribal Development Corporation website at adijatinigam.gujarat.gov.in. Use the 'APPLY FOR LOAN' link, complete the registration form and sign up, after which a user ID and password are generated for you. Log in with those credentials and the captcha code, and the portal will list the schemes open to your caste category. Select Mukhyamantri Nahri Kendra, fill in the application form, upload the required documents, then use 'Save Application' — which generates your application number — and 'Print Application' to keep a copy for your records. Detailed scheme guidelines are also published as a downloadable PDF on the same site.
Who offers Mukhyamantri Nahri Kendra: ₹5L Subsidy + 4% Loan for Tribal Women?
Mukhyamantri Nahri Kendra: ₹5L Subsidy + 4% Loan for Tribal Women is offered by Tribal Development Department, Government of Gujarat, a government body. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.
More funding from Tribal Development Department, Government of Gujarat
Tribal Development Department, Government of Gujarat runs 2 other programs listed on startupfunds — compare them before you decide where to apply.
Alternatives to Mukhyamantri Nahri Kendra: ₹5L Subsidy + 4% Loan for Tribal Women
Not sure Mukhyamantri Nahri Kendra: ₹5L Subsidy + 4% Loan for Tribal Women is the right fit, or already applied? These are other grants open to Indian startups that founders shortlist alongside it.
Questions from founders
Ask anything about eligibility, documents or the process — answered by the community.
No questions yet — be the first to ask.