Scheme for Tourism-related Activities — PIPDIC Loans up to ₹12 Cr — Frequently Asked Questions

It is a loan scheme from the Pondicherry Industrial Promotion Development and Investment Corporation Limited (PIPDIC), run with the Department of Industries & Commerce, Puducherry. Its purpose is to strengthen tourism infrastructure in the Union Territory by giving entrepreneurs access to debt capital — for fresh projects as well as for expansion and modernisation work.

Tourism-facing ventures of several kinds are covered, including cultural centres, amusement parks, convention centres, restaurants and tourist service agencies. The money is not restricted to brand-new builds, so an existing business planning to expand or modernise its facilities can also apply.

There is no single fixed loan figure — the amount is determined through a need-based assessment of your project. What the scheme does specify is the ceiling on project size: the total project cost must not exceed ₹12 crore. Build your proposal around a realistic cost that stays inside that limit.

It is a loan, not a grant. PIPDIC advances repayable debt, which means no equity is taken and promoters do not surrender any ownership of their business — but the money must be returned. The repayment period runs up to 10 years and includes a moratorium, giving the venture a breathing space before full repayment begins.

Entrepreneurs setting up or developing tourism-related activity in Puducherry. Both new ventures and existing businesses going in for expansion or modernisation qualify, as long as the activity falls within the tourism scope the scheme covers. The application form asks for the bio-data of the promoter, partner or director, so you apply either in your own name or on behalf of the business.

Neither is listed as a precondition in the scheme details available. Eligibility revolves around the type of tourism activity and its location in Puducherry rather than around DPIIT recognition or MSME registration.

The fee is ₹100 where the loan sought is up to ₹25,00,000, and ₹200 where the loan is above ₹25,00,000. It is paid online as part of the application; once the payment succeeds, a receipt is generated on the PIPDIC website, which you can print or save as a PDF.

Applications are accepted only online, through the PIPDIC portal at https://pipdic.in/pipdic_schemes. There is no closing date, since the scheme runs on a rolling basis, so you can apply whenever your project is ready. The flow is: register as a new customer with a username, email, password and captcha; log in using the OTP sent to your email; complete your profile through Edit Profile; open the Applications tab; read and accept the checklist covering general terms, the interest rate structure, investigation fees and collateral security norms; fill the multi-step loan form; accept the declaration and submit; enter the promoter, partner or director bio-data and upload KYC and supporting documents; pay the application fee; then save the payment receipt.

The status initially shows 'UNDER REVIEW'. The review takes in the general terms and conditions, the interest rate structure, investigation fees and collateral security norms — effectively a financial and eligibility assessment by PIPDIC, combined with a check on the viability of your project.

Contact the Managing Director of PIPDIC at No.60, Romain Rolland Street, Puducherry 605001; phone 0413-2334361; email info@pipdic.com. The General Manager (Administration) can also be reached on 9894653835.

Scheme for Tourism-related Activities — PIPDIC Loans up to ₹12 Cr runs on a rolling basis with no fixed deadline — applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Check the official site to confirm the window is currently open.

No. Scheme for Tourism-related Activities — PIPDIC Loans up to ₹12 Cr is debt / loan and is non-dilutive — the provider does not take an equity stake in your startup.

Apply directly through the official application link on this page. Review the eligibility criteria and prepare your startup documents before you begin.