Youth Startup Loan Scheme (Under SKEWPY)

The Youth Startup Loan Scheme is part of the Sher-i-Kashmir Employment & Welfare Programme for Youth (SKEWPY), managed by the Labour & Employment Department of Jammu & Kashmir. It offers soft loans to unemployed youth in the region to set up new businesses. Projects with an investment of up to ₹8.00 lacs are financed, with 90% provided as a loan and 10% as beneficiary contribution. For higher investment projects, the loan component is capped at ₹8.00 lacs.

This scheme aims to promote first-generation entrepreneurship and reduce unemployment by providing financial support and mandatory entrepreneurship training. It is a key initiative for youth in Jammu & Kashmir to start their own ventures.

• Soft loan up to ₹8L covering 90% of project cost
• Open to unemployed youth aged 18-40 (42 for differently abled)
• Must be a domicile of Jammu & Kashmir
• Mandatory 3-week entrepreneurship training at JKEDI
• First-generation entrepreneurs only; no prior subsidies allowed
• Loan requires a third-party guarantee

To apply, you must meet the following criteria:

• Age between 18 and 40 years (extended to 18–42 for differently abled individuals).
• Educational qualification of 10+2 or higher.
• Must be a domicile of Jammu & Kashmir.
• Unemployed and registered with the District Employment & Counseling Center (DECC).
• Must be a first-generation entrepreneur who has not received any prior subsidies under other state or central schemes.

Youth Startup Loan Scheme (Under SKEWPY) is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

Youth Startup Loan Scheme (Under SKEWPY) 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.

The scheme provides financial assistance in the form of a soft loan covering up to 90% of the project cost, with a maximum loan amount of ₹8.00 lacs. The beneficiary must contribute the remaining 10%. For projects requiring higher investment, the loan is capped at ₹8.00 lacs. Additionally, the loan requires a third-party guarantee.

Youth Startup Loan Scheme (Under SKEWPY) is offered by Labour & Employment Department, J&K, a government body. As a government-backed debt / loan, it is publicly funded and open to eligible startups across India. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

The process includes the following steps:

1. Offline Registration: Apply at any JKEDI office across Jammu & Kashmir with required documents (proof of domicile, educational certificates, DECC registration).
2. Mandatory Training: Attend a compulsory 3-week entrepreneurship training program at JKEDI.
3. Loan Approval: After training, the loan amount (up to 90% of project cost, capped at ₹8 lakh) is approved subject to a third-party guarantee.
4. Disbursement: Funds are released following project appraisal and verification of the guarantee.

Before you apply to Youth Startup Loan Scheme (Under SKEWPY), 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.

Youth Startup Loan Scheme (Under SKEWPY) is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹8L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.