A large group of potential entrepreneurs particularly women and Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) who want to set up an enterprise, which allows them to grow and thrive under the Stand Up India Scheme saw a huge rise. Such entrepreneurs are spread across country and are bubbling with ideas.

Aspiring SC, ST and women entrepreneurs are energetic and enthusiastic but may face challenges in converting their dream to reality. Recognising these challenges, Stand up India Scheme was launched on April 5, 2016 to promote entrepreneurship at grassroot level focusing on economic empowerment and job creation. This scheme has been extended up to the year 2025.

As we celebrate the fifth anniversary of Stand Up India Scheme, let us take a look at the features and achievement of this Scheme.

The objective of Stand-Up India is to promote entrepreneurship amongst women, Scheduled Castes (SC) & Scheduled Tribes (ST) categories, to help them in starting a greenfield enterprise in trading, manufacturing and services sector, by both ready and trainee borrowers.

Eligibility for a loan

- Borrowers should not be in default to any bank/financial institution.
- In case of non-individual enterprises, 51 per cent of the shareholding and controlling stake should be held by either SC/ST and/or Women Entrepreneur.
- Loans under the scheme are available for only green field projects. Green field signifies, in this context, the first time venture of the beneficiary in the manufacturing, services or the trading sector & activities allied to agriculture. 
- SC/ST and/or women entrepreneurs, above 18 years of age.

As on March 23, Rs. 25,586 crore has been sanctioned under Stand Up India Scheme to over 1,14,322 accounts upto March 23, 2021 since inception of the Scheme. Total number of SC/ST and woman borrowers benefited under Stand Up India scheme, as on March 23, 2021 are in the table.