New Swarnima Scheme — ₹2 Lakh Loan at 5% for Rabari & Bharwad Women in Gujarat
Gujarat Gopalak Vikas Nigam offers women from the Rabari and Bharwad communities a loan of up to ₹2 lakh at 5% yearly interest to set up their own self-employment venture.
- Funding amount
- ₹2L (debt / loan)
- Funding type
- Debt / Loan
- Provider
- Gujarat Gopalak Vikas Nigam (Government)
- Application deadline
- Rolling
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
The New Swarnima Scheme is a loan-based support programme run by Gujarat Gopalak Vikas Nigam, an organisation functioning under the Social Justice and Empowerment Department of the Government of Gujarat. Its focus is narrow and deliberate: it backs women from the Rabari and Bharwad communities who want to earn a living through their own enterprise rather than through wage work alone.
Many women in these communities have the skill and the intent to run a small business but not the capital, and borrowing from conventional lenders is either expensive or out of reach. This scheme is designed to close that gap by supplying the money needed to get a venture off the ground on affordable terms.
Under the scheme, an eligible applicant can receive up to ₹2 lakh as 100% loan assistance, with interest charged at a subsidised 5% per year. The loan can be put towards a business of the borrower's own choosing, whether that means starting something new or building on work she is already doing.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so there is no closing date to race against. Everything is handled through the state's DAADC online portal.
Highlights
- Loan of up to ₹2 lakh, offered as 100% loan assistance
- Subsidised interest of 5% per annum
- Open to women of the Rabari and Bharwad communities
- Age band of 21 to 45 years, family income up to ₹3.00 lakh
- Rolling applications — no fixed deadline
- Run by Gujarat Gopalak Vikas Nigam under the state's Social Justice and Empowerment Department
Who can apply
The scheme is open only to women, and each applicant must fit every one of the following conditions:
- Residency: you must be a permanent resident of Gujarat.
- Community: you must belong to the Rabari or Bharwad caste, which the Government of Gujarat recognises as a socially and educationally backward class.
- Age: you must be between 21 and 45 years old.
- Family income: your total annual family income must not exceed ₹3.00 lakh.
- Purpose: you must intend to use the loan for your own business or self-employment venture.
If any one of these is not met, the application will not qualify.
New Swarnima Scheme — ₹2 Lakh Loan at 5% for Rabari & Bharwad Women in Gujarat 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
New Swarnima Scheme — ₹2 Lakh Loan at 5% for Rabari & Bharwad Women in Gujarat 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 support here comes as a loan rather than a grant, and it is structured to stay affordable for women with limited means:
- 100% loan assistance up to ₹2.00 lakh towards starting or expanding a self-employment venture.
- Subsidised interest of 5% per annum, which keeps the cost of borrowing low.
- Freedom to choose the business — the loan is not tied to a fixed list of trades or activities, so you can pursue the venture that matches your skills and your local market.
- The capital itself, which is what most applicants lack when they try to turn an idea into a working enterprise.
About the provider
New Swarnima Scheme — ₹2 Lakh Loan at 5% for Rabari & Bharwad Women in Gujarat is offered by Gujarat Gopalak Vikas Nigam, a government body. As a government-backed debt / loan, it is publicly funded and open to eligible startups across India.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to New Swarnima Scheme — ₹2 Lakh Loan at 5% for Rabari & Bharwad Women in Gujarat, 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
New Swarnima Scheme — ₹2 Lakh Loan at 5% for Rabari & Bharwad Women in Gujarat is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹2L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I borrow through the New Swarnima Scheme?
The scheme extends 100% loan assistance up to ₹2.00 lakh. That is the ceiling, and the amount you actually receive depends on your proposal and how it is assessed.
What interest rate do I have to pay on this loan?
Interest is charged at a subsidised rate of 5% per annum. Because it sits well below typical commercial lending rates, the repayment burden stays manageable for women running small ventures.
Who can apply for this scheme?
You can apply if you are a woman who is a permanent resident of Gujarat, belongs to the Rabari or Bharwad community, is aged between 21 and 45 years, has a total annual family income of no more than ₹3.00 lakh, and intends to put the money into your own business or self-employment venture.
Do I need to belong to a particular caste to qualify?
Yes. The scheme is specifically meant for women from the Rabari or Bharwad caste, both of which are recognised by the Government of Gujarat as socially and educationally backward classes. A valid caste certificate is part of the document set you will submit.
Is there a last date to submit an application?
No. Applications run on a rolling basis, which means the window stays open and you can apply whenever you are ready rather than working towards a fixed closing date.
Does the scheme take an equity stake in my business?
No. This is a loan product, not an equity investment, so no shares or ownership stake are taken in your venture. You simply repay what you borrow along with the 5% annual interest.
What kind of business can I start with the loan?
The scheme leaves the choice to you. It is not restricted to particular trades or sectors, so the loan can go towards any self-employment venture that suits your skills, experience and the demand in your area. It can be used to launch something new or to expand what you are already doing.
How do I apply for the New Swarnima Scheme?
Applications are made online through the DAADC portal at https://daadconline.gujarat.gov.in/. New users must register on the portal first, while existing users can log straight in. After that you fill in the application form with your personal details and scheme-specific information, attach the required documents, and submit.
What documents will I need to submit?
The application calls for identity proof, address proof, your caste certificate and an income certificate, along with any business-related documents the form asks for. It is worth reviewing every entry and attachment before you submit, since incomplete or incorrect details can hold up processing.
Is there an age limit for applicants?
Yes. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and no older than 45 years at the time of applying.
Is there a family income limit?
Yes. Your total annual family income must not exceed ₹3.00 lakh. Applications above that threshold do not qualify.
Is DPIIT recognition required for New Swarnima Scheme — ₹2 Lakh Loan at 5% for Rabari & Bharwad Women in Gujarat?
No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for New Swarnima Scheme — ₹2 Lakh Loan at 5% for Rabari & Bharwad Women in Gujarat, though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.
Who offers New Swarnima Scheme — ₹2 Lakh Loan at 5% for Rabari & Bharwad Women in Gujarat?
New Swarnima Scheme — ₹2 Lakh Loan at 5% for Rabari & Bharwad Women in Gujarat is offered by Gujarat Gopalak Vikas Nigam, a government body. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.
Alternatives to New Swarnima Scheme — ₹2 Lakh Loan at 5% for Rabari & Bharwad Women in Gujarat
Not sure New Swarnima Scheme — ₹2 Lakh Loan at 5% for Rabari & Bharwad Women in Gujarat is the right fit, or already applied? These are other debt 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.