Self Employment Scheme

Self Employment Scheme supports members of the Scheduled Tribes community in Goa with financial help of up to ₹10,00,000 for starting their own business ventures. The scheme is run by the Goa State Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation Limited under the Department of Tribal Welfare, and applications are now accepted online through the UDP Goa portal.

The scheme gives easy access to credit for people who want to become self-reliant and raise their earnings through small-scale professional activities. Loan support is available for almost any economically viable and legal activity, apart from dealing in alcohol, firecrackers and tobacco.

Self Employment Scheme - Goa

Self Employment Scheme provides a loan to unemployed people from the Scheduled Tribes community to take up any self-employment activity approved by the Corporation. An individual can get up to ₹10,00,000, while an Association, Society, Partnership, Self-Help Group (SHG) or Company formed only by ST members can get up to ₹15,00,000.

As per the latest 2026 guidelines, the annual family income limit has been raised to ₹3,00,000, which is a big improvement over the earlier limit. The loan carries a simple interest of 4% per annum on a reducing balance basis, and the repayment period can go up to 10 years depending on the type of activity.

Highlights

Benefits

The scheme offers strong financial backing to help eligible people succeed in their self-employment goals. Here is what a beneficiary can expect:

• Financial support of up to ₹10,00,000 is available for an individual, and up to ₹15,00,000 for groups like Societies, Partnerships, SHGs and Companies formed only by ST members.
• The beneficiary has to put in 10% margin money towards the project cost, though the Board of Directors may relax this condition in deserving individual cases. This relaxation does not apply to groups.
• Interest is charged at a simple rate of 4% per annum on a reducing balance basis, with a repayment period of up to 10 years decided by the Board.

Insurance cover is also a key part of the scheme. The Corporation requires the business and the life of the beneficiary to be insured against theft, fire, cyclones and other natural disasters. In case of a calamity, the insurance payout is used to cover the outstanding loan dues, which acts as a safety net for the venture.

Eligibility

To qualify for financial support under this scheme, an applicant should meet the following conditions:

• The applicant must belong to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community and should be unemployed.
• The age of the applicant should be 55 years or below, though this can be relaxed in deserving cases.
• The annual family income should not exceed ₹3,00,000 per annum as per the latest 2026 guidelines. The Board may relax this limit on merit.
• The funds must be used only for self-employment activities approved by the Corporation.
• Two guarantors are required, and at least one of them must be a government servant to confirm the financial security of the applicant.

The family is considered to include the husband, wife, unmarried children, and parents or unmarried siblings below 18 years of age who are fully dependent on the applicant.

Application Process

Applications for the Self Employment Scheme are now submitted online through the UDP Goa website. Follow these steps to apply:

STEP 1 - Go to the official UDP Goa website at msme.goa.gov.in and log in to the portal.

STEP 2 - Select the Self Employment Scheme from the list of offline schemes and click on the Application Form button to download it.

STEP 3 - Enter your mobile number, email ID and district to show your interest in the scheme.

STEP 4 - Fill in all the mandatory details carefully and attach the required self-attested documents.

STEP 5 - Submit the completed form to the concerned department. For any help, you can also visit the office at Shram Shakti Bhavan, 5th Floor, Patto, Panaji, Goa 403001, or write to dir-tw.goa@nic.in.

Documents

Keep the following documents ready while applying, based on the type of business activity:

• General Documents: Self-attested ST certificate, two passport-size photographs, annual family income certificate issued by the competent authority, copy of ration card, birth certificate, Aadhaar card, and a self-declaration affidavit on ₹100 stamp paper.
• For Surety: Latest salary slip or payment certificate of the guarantor along with a notarized affidavit on ₹100 stamp paper, one photograph and ID proof of the surety.
• Specific Requirements: Depending on whether the application is for an agricultural loan, a manufacturing unit, or a vehicle purchase, additional papers like project viability reports, quotations, land proof, NOC from Panchayat or Municipality, or a valid professional driving license for taxi loans are needed.
• Financial Details: Always include the bank mandate form of the supplier or dealer from whom assets or raw material will be bought.

References

Official Self Employment Scheme Guidelines 2026

UDP Goa Scheme Details Page

FAQ's

What is the income limit for eligibility?

As per the latest 2026 guidelines, the annual family income should not exceed ₹3,00,000 per annum. The Board of Directors can relax this limit in deserving cases.

What interest rate applies to the loan?

The loan carries a simple interest rate of 4% per annum, calculated on a reducing balance basis.

How long do I get to repay the loan?

The repayment period can go up to 10 years, and it is decided by the Board at the time of sanctioning the loan based on the type of activity.

Are there penalties for late repayment?

If installments are not paid on time, a 2% penal interest is charged, and the amount may be recovered as land revenue arrears.

Can I use the loan for purposes other than business?

No, the financial support is reserved strictly for self-employment activities approved by the Corporation.