List of Business Loan Schemes 2026 for Women Entrepreneurs

Central govt. runs many welfare schemes, including business loan schemes for women entrepreneurs, to remove the money problems that come in the way of starting a business. Getting capital is one of the biggest hurdles for women who want to start their own business or startup. Here is a list of business loan schemes for women entrepreneurs that offer loans up to Rs. 25 lakh without any guarantee.

Several banks give special loan facilities at low interest rates to women entrepreneurs. Many such schemes are run by the Central Government as women entrepreneur schemes. These women empowerment schemes are helping women entrepreneurs grow in India's startup ecosystem. Let's find out about the schemes that help women entrepreneurs start their own business.

List of Business Loan Schemes 2026 for Women Entrepreneurs

Here is the list of business loan schemes for women entrepreneurs launched to provide loans to women for their business. The most popular among these is the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, which gives collateral-free loans to women and other small business owners.

Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY)

Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana is the main central scheme for women entrepreneurs. It gives collateral-free loans to non-corporate, non-farm businesses through banks, NBFCs and microfinance institutions. The loan comes in four bands: Shishu up to Rs. 50,000, Kishore from Rs. 50,001 to Rs. 5 lakh, Tarun from Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh, and Tarun Plus up to Rs. 20 lakh. Loans up to Rs. 10 lakh need no collateral, and women borrowers often get a lower interest rate. Women can apply through their bank or online at the Udyam Mitra portal. Read the full details in the PM Mudra Loan Scheme guide.

Stand Up India Scheme

Stand-Up India funds bigger first-time ventures for women and SC/ST entrepreneurs. Every bank branch lends between Rs. 10 lakh and Rs. 1 crore to at least one woman and one SC/ST borrower for a first-time business in manufacturing, services, trading or an agriculture-allied activity. The composite loan can cover up to 85% of the project cost. Women can apply at the Stand-Up India portal. More details are in the Stand Up India Loan Scheme article.

CGTMSE Credit Guarantee

CGTMSE (Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises) is not a loan itself but a government guarantee that lets banks lend to small businesses without asking for collateral or a third-party guarantee. The cover has been raised to as much as Rs. 5 crore, with higher guarantee cover for women-owned units. If a bank hesitates because a woman cannot pledge property, she can ask whether the loan can be covered under CGTMSE. This often turns a "no" into an approval for women without assets to mortgage.

Cent Kalyani Scheme

Central Bank of India runs the Cent Kalyani Scheme for women who want to start a new venture or grow an existing one. This loan is for women involved in manufacturing, services or trading, and it is collateral-free with no processing fee. Women do not need any guarantor while taking this loan. The maximum loan amount under Cent Kalyani Scheme is Rs. 1 lakh.

Udyogini Scheme

Udyogini Scheme is a state-run support scheme for women, often with subsidised interest for lower-income applicants. It is run through state women's development corporations. Under this scheme, women between 18 and 45 years of age can get loans up to Rs. 1 lakh for working in business, agriculture, retail and small entrepreneur sectors. A subsidy of 30% is also given for loans up to Rs. 10,000 to widows, destitute or disabled women of SC and ST categories.

Annapurna Scheme

Annapurna Scheme gives small loans to women in the food and catering business, such as tiffin services, catering and snacks. Under this scheme, a loan of Rs. 50,000 is given to women entrepreneurs to buy utensils and other equipment. Women can pay it back in monthly installments over 36 months.

Mahila Udyam Nidhi Scheme

Punjab National Bank (PNB) runs the Mahila Udyam Nidhi Yojana as a business loan scheme for women. The aim is to give loans to women-owned small scale industries. The loan amount can be repaid by women entrepreneurs over a period of 10 years. Different loan options are also included under the Mahila Nidhi scheme, like beauty parlor, day care center and auto rickshaw. The maximum loan amount under Mahila Udyam Nidhi Scheme is Rs. 10 lakh.

Stree Shakti Packages

Stree Shakti Packages is run by the central govt. through most branches of SBI Bank. This business loan scheme gives women entrepreneurs a discount on the loan amount. If the loan amount of a woman entrepreneur is more than Rs. 20 lakh, she gets a discount of 0.50% on the interest rate.

Oriental Mahila Vikas Yojana

Oriental Mahila Vikas Yojana is a business loan scheme that gives loans to women who, individually or jointly, own a proprietary concern and hold 51% share capital. Women entrepreneurs are given loans ranging from Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 25 lakh for small scale industries. No guarantor is required to avail this loan, and women can repay it over a period of 7 years. Around 2% loan interest rate concession is also given to women entrepreneurs.

Bharatiya Mahila Bank Business Loan

Bharatiya Mahila Bank commercial loan is for women entrepreneurs who want to start a new venture in property and SME retail. Women entrepreneurs are given a maximum loan amount of up to Rs. 20 crores and a rebate of 0.25% in this business loan scheme. The interest rate on this loan amount is usually 10.15% or more.

Dena Shakti Scheme

Dena Shakti Business Loan Scheme is best for women entrepreneurs who want to grow their business in agriculture, manufacturing, micro-loans, retail stores or micro enterprises and need financial support. Women entrepreneurs are given a maximum loan amount of Rs. 20 lakh for retail trade at 0.25% interest rate. This amount can be repaid by the bank provided in the loan by monthly payment of installments by women entrepreneurs.

How to Apply for a Business Loan Scheme

Before applying, women should get a free Udyam (MSME) registration and open a current account in the business name. A simple one-page business plan, KYC documents, bank statements and quotations for whatever the loan will buy also help. Most rejections happen because of a low credit score, an incomplete file, an unrealistic project report, or applying for the wrong scheme for the stage of the business.

STEP 1 - Match the scheme to the stage of the business. Use Mudra to start small, Stand-Up India for a first big venture, and CGTMSE to remove the collateral barrier.

STEP 2 - Get a free Udyam (MSME) registration and open a current account in the business name.

STEP 3 - Apply online at the official portal of the scheme, like the Udyam Mitra portal for Mudra or the Stand-Up India portal, or visit the nearest bank branch.

Highlights of Business Loan Schemes for Women

Detail	Information
Main Scheme	Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana
Loan Amount	Up to Rs. 20 lakh (Tarun Plus)
Collateral	Not needed up to Rs. 10 lakh
Big Loan Scheme	Stand-Up India, Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 1 crore
Credit Guarantee	CGTMSE up to Rs. 5 crore
Application Mode	Online portals and bank branches

FAQ's

Which government scheme is best for women entrepreneurs?

For most micro and small businesses, Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana is the best starting point, with collateral-free loans up to Rs. 10 lakh. For a bigger first venture, Stand-Up India funds Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 1 crore.

How can a woman get a collateral-free business loan?

Apply for a Mudra loan up to Rs. 10 lakh through a bank or at the Udyam Mitra portal, or a Stand-Up India loan at the Stand-Up India portal. If a bank still asks for security, request that the loan be covered under the CGTMSE credit guarantee.

Is the Mudra loan only for women?

No, Mudra is open to all eligible micro-entrepreneurs, but women make up about two-thirds of borrowers and often receive preferential interest rates.

Do I need to register my business to apply?

Yes, at least a free Udyam (MSME) registration and a current account in the business name are needed. A sole proprietorship with Udyam registration is enough to apply for Mudra and most bank schemes.