Eligibility Criteria for the Stand-Up India Scheme

The Stand-Up India Scheme is designed to promote entrepreneurship among Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and women entrepreneurs by facilitating bank loans for setting up new enterprises. The main eligibility criteria are as follows:

• Eligible Applicants:
  • SC/ST and/or women entrepreneurs above 18 years of age^{[1][2][3][4][5]}.
  • In the case of non-individual enterprises (such as companies, partnerships, etc.), at least 51% of the shareholding and controlling stake must be held by either an SC/ST or a woman entrepreneur^[3].
• Type of Business:
  • The loan is available only for greenfield projects, meaning it must be the first-time venture of the beneficiary in the manufacturing, services, trading sector, or activities allied to agriculture^{[1][2][3][6][5]}.
• Loan Amount:
  • The scheme facilitates bank loans ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore^[2][6][7].
• Default Status:
  • The applicant must not be in default to any bank or financial institution^[3].
• Other Requirements:
  • The applicant must contribute at least 10% of the project cost as margin money. Up to 25% of the project cost can be covered through convergence with eligible Central/State schemes^[2][4].
  • The enterprise must be a new entity, not an existing business^[1][2].

Summary Table: Stand-Up India Scheme Eligibility

Criteria	Requirement
Applicant Category	SC/ST and/or women, above 18 years old
Project Type	Greenfield (first-time venture in manufacturing, services, or trading)
Non-individual Enterprises	51%+ shareholding by SC/ST or women
Loan Amount	₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore
Default Status	Not in default to any bank/financial institution
Margin Money	Minimum 10% from applicant, up to 25% from other schemes

 

These criteria ensure that the scheme specifically benefits first-generation entrepreneurs from SC/ST and women categories, supporting them in establishing new businesses across key sectors^{[1][2][3][6][4][5]}.

1. https://www.standupmitra.in/home/suischemes
2. https://cleartax.in/s/stand-up-india-scheme
3. https://www.jansamarth.in/stand-up-india-scheme
4. https://bankofmaharashtra.in/stand-up-india
5. https://www.unionbankofindia.co.in/en/Details/union-stand-up-india-scheme
6. https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/sui
7. https://sbi.co.in/web/business/sme/sme-government-schemes/sui