Swarnima Scheme: ₹5L Loans at 5% for OBC Women in Maharashtra
Swarnima is a Maharashtra government loan scheme for OBC women, offering up to ₹5,00,000 per Self-Help Group project (₹25,000 per member) at 5% annual interest, with no beneficiary contribution.
- Funding amount
- ₹25,000 – ₹5L (debt / loan)
- Funding type
- Debt / Loan
- Provider
- Department of Social Justice and Special Assistance, Government of Maharashtra (Government)
- Application deadline
- Rolling
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
Swarnima is a loan programme for women from Other Backward Classes in Maharashtra, administered by the Department of Social Justice and Special Assistance, Government of Maharashtra. It is financed jointly by the National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation in New Delhi and the State Corporation.
The intent is to put affordable credit within reach of women who usually find formal business lending out of reach. A borrower can put the money into a self-employment venture — equipment, materials or working capital — and the loan is credited straight into the beneficiary's bank account, so the flow of funds is easy to trace.
Because the interest charged is low and the borrower does not have to put in money of her own, the scheme is built to create individual livelihoods that also add economic activity and jobs in the surrounding community. Applications are accepted round the year, so there is no deadline to race against.
Highlights
- Up to ₹5,00,000 per Self-Help Group project, ₹25,000 per member
- Interest of just 5% a year
- Up to 3 years to repay, with no beneficiary contribution
- For OBC women who are Maharashtra domiciles aged 18 to 50
- Applications accepted round the year — no fixed deadline
Who can apply
Swarnima is open to women only. An applicant must meet every one of the following conditions:
- Belong to the Other Backward Class (OBC) category.
- Be a domicile of Maharashtra.
- Be aged between 18 and 50 years.
- Have an annual family income of no more than ₹98,000 in rural areas or no more than ₹1,20,000 in urban areas.
The funding is structured around Self-Help Group projects, where each beneficiary is counted at ₹25,000 and a group may have up to 20 members. The department's listed criteria do not mention DPIIT recognition or MSME/Udyam registration, so neither is part of the eligibility test. What you do need to prove is caste, domicile, age and family income.
Swarnima Scheme: ₹5L Loans at 5% for OBC Women in Maharashtra 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
Swarnima Scheme: ₹5L Loans at 5% for OBC Women in Maharashtra 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
Swarnima is a debt scheme, so the money comes as a loan to be repaid — no ownership or stake in the venture is given up.
- Up to ₹5,00,000 per Self-Help Group project.
- ₹25,000 per individual beneficiary within the group, with a maximum of 20 members per SHG.
- Interest of 5% a year, which keeps the cost of borrowing well below typical market rates.
- A repayment window of up to 3 years, giving a new venture time to find its feet.
- No beneficiary contribution — nothing has to be paid in from the borrower's own pocket to access the loan.
The sanctioned amount is credited directly to the beneficiary's bank account and can be used for self-employment activity, including the resources, equipment or working capital a venture needs.
About the provider
Swarnima Scheme: ₹5L Loans at 5% for OBC Women in Maharashtra is offered by Department of Social Justice and Special Assistance, Government of Maharashtra, 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
Applications are examined by a committee that includes representatives from the Department of Social Justice and Special Assistance and the participating corporations.
Every application passes through document verification, where caste, domicile, age and family income are checked against the scheme's requirements. Where the application comes from a Self-Help Group, the panel may look more closely at how the group was formed and at the project proposal submitted with it.
Shortlisting then rests on two things: satisfying every stated condition, and filing a complete application.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Swarnima Scheme: ₹5L Loans at 5% for OBC Women in Maharashtra, 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
Swarnima Scheme: ₹5L Loans at 5% for OBC Women in Maharashtra is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹25,000 – ₹5L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How much money does Swarnima lend?
A Self-Help Group project can draw up to ₹5,00,000, and each individual beneficiary within the group is counted at ₹25,000. A group can have a maximum of 20 members.
What interest rate applies, and how long do I get to repay?
Interest is charged at 5% a year, and the repayment period runs up to 3 years. That combination keeps instalments manageable while the venture gets established.
Does Swarnima take equity in my business?
No. Swarnima is a debt scheme — the money is a loan that you repay, at 5% a year, over up to 3 years. Nothing in the scheme involves giving away a stake or ownership share in your venture.
Who is eligible to apply?
You must be a woman from the Other Backward Class (OBC) category, a domicile of Maharashtra, and between 18 and 50 years of age. Your annual family income must be within ₹98,000 in rural areas or ₹1,20,000 in urban areas.
Do I need DPIIT recognition or MSME registration?
No. The listed eligibility criteria cover OBC status, Maharashtra domicile, age and family income — DPIIT recognition and MSME/Udyam registration are not part of them. You will, however, need an OBC certificate, a Maharashtra domicile, age proof and an income certificate.
Is there a last date to submit the application?
There is no fixed deadline. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, so you can apply as soon as your paperwork is ready.
Do I have to contribute any money myself?
No. The scheme requires no contribution from the beneficiary, so you do not need savings or margin money of your own in order to access the loan.
What documents do I need to attach?
You will need a recent passport-sized photograph pasted on the form, plus self-attested copies of your identity proof, address proof, income certificate, OBC certificate and bank passbook.
How and where do I apply?
Visit the District Office of the Leather Industries Development Corporation of Maharashtra (LIDCOM) during office hours and ask for the prescribed application form. Fill in all mandatory fields, sign the form, attach your self-attested documents and submit it to the concerned authority. Ask for a receipt or acknowledgement showing the submission date and any identification number — it is your proof of applying. The department's website, https://sjsa.maharashtra.gov.in/en/, is the official reference point for the scheme.
How is my application assessed?
A committee with representatives from the Department of Social Justice and Special Assistance and the participating corporations reviews applications. Documents are verified against the caste, domicile, age and income requirements, and Self-Help Group applications may face extra scrutiny of the group's formation and project proposal. Shortlisting depends on meeting all conditions and filing a complete application.
Who offers Swarnima Scheme: ₹5L Loans at 5% for OBC Women in Maharashtra?
Swarnima Scheme: ₹5L Loans at 5% for OBC Women in Maharashtra is offered by Department of Social Justice and Special Assistance, Government of Maharashtra, a government body. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.
How do I apply for Swarnima Scheme: ₹5L Loans at 5% for OBC Women in Maharashtra?
Apply directly through the official application link on this page. Review the eligibility criteria and prepare your startup documents before you begin.
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