West Bengal Interest Subsidy on Term Loan for Tourism — Up to ₹2.1Cr — Frequently Asked Questions

It covers a share of the interest you pay on a term loan, and that share depends on where your project is located. Projects in Group 'A' and 'B' areas receive 50% of the annual interest liability, capped at ₹25,00,000 a year for 5 years. Group 'C' and 'D' areas receive 60%, also capped at ₹25,00,000 a year, but for 7 years. Special Areas get the highest support at 75%, capped at ₹30,00,000 a year for 7 years. The overall value of the scheme is listed as up to ₹2.1 crore.

The deadline shown for this scheme is 31 December 2025. Since everything is filed online, it is worth starting early — the three certificates from the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Limited must be in place before you can apply for the subsidy itself, and that sequence takes time.

Eligible tourism projects and units set up on or after February 22, 2021 can apply, and expansion projects at existing units are covered too. Units may belong to the private sector, the co-operative sector or the joint sector, and companies or undertakings owned or managed by the State Government are also included. Beyond that, the project needs a detailed feasibility report or project report, approval and sanction from a Central Financial Institution, Commercial Bank or State Financial Institution, and the required certificates from the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Limited.

Yes, in one specific case. Hotel units that began commercial operations between January 7, 2015 and December 31, 2020 are eligible even though they predate the February 22, 2021 cut-off — but only if the absence of a bar meant they could not apply under the earlier 2015 scheme.

Three certificates from the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Limited: a Registration Certificate, a Date of Commencement Certificate and an Eligibility Certificate. These are issued once the authority is satisfied with the arrangements. Only after all three are secured can an eligible unit apply for the interest subsidy through the specific online form on the Shilpasathi portal.

The subsidy is payable annually. Before each disbursement, you need to submit a statement or certificate from your lending bank or financial institution confirming that the due interest was paid on time. Once that verification is done, the subsidy is reimbursed to the eligible unit. Note that the subsidy is not paid on term loans taken for second-hand plant and machinery or for hire-purchase equipment.

No. This is an interest subsidy from the Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal — it reimburses interest you have already paid to your lender and takes no equity, shares or ownership stake in your unit.

Everything runs through the Shilpasathi portal at silpasathi.wb.gov.in. Click 'Apply online' and either create a new user account — selecting your entity type and entering the relevant registration number — or sign in as an existing user. From your dashboard, open 'ALL SERVICES', tick the checkbox next to 'Tourism Incentive', create your CAF ID, and then fill in the common application form. Attach the documents required for the certificate, save and continue, review the details, tick the declaration and submit. You will get SMS and email updates at key stages, can track progress on the 'Check status' page, and can download the approved Registration Certificate from the system once the authority approves it.

Yes. Expansion projects of existing units are explicitly covered alongside new ventures, as long as the project meets the eligibility conditions — including a detailed feasibility report, approval and sanction from a recognised financial institution, and the three certificates issued by the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Limited.

No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for West Bengal Interest Subsidy on Term Loan for Tourism — Up to ₹2.1Cr, though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.

West Bengal Interest Subsidy on Term Loan for Tourism — Up to ₹2.1Cr is offered by Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal, a government body. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.