Udyogini Scheme for Women: Check Features, Benefits, Eligibility & Interest Rate

Women empowerment has been one of the key objectives of the Government of India. The Government of India has taken many measures to ensure that women get ample opportunities to be independent and promote entrepreneurship so they can safeguard their future and that of their family. Many lenders also provide women-centric finance schemes at competitive rates that are in line with the government objectives.

Among the many government schemes in this regard, the Udyogini Scheme launched by the government is quite popular and provides financial assistance to women in the rural and semi-urban areas. The Udyogini Scheme is a joint venture by the KSWDC (Karnataka State Women’s Development Corporation), Sind Bank, Cooperative Bank, Regional Rural Bank, and other private and other public sector banks. In this guide, you can find all the key details of the Udyogini Scheme including eligibility, benefits, features and interest rate. 

Who is eligible for the Udyogini scheme?

The scheme has set specific eligibility conditions that have to be met by women applicants to get financial assistance under the scheme. Some of the key eligibility parameters and their requirements are tabled below.

Criterion	Requirement
Gender of the applicant	Women
Age of the applicant	Minimum age – 15 years Maximum age – 55 years
Annual Income of the Family	Maximum Rs. 1,50,000 No Upper limit for widowed, destitute and disabled women

 

What are the documents needed for the Udyogini Scheme?

The documents needed for the Udyogini Scheme are basic KYC documents that have to be submitted along with the application form for the loan from partner lenders. 

1. Birth certificate
2. Income certificate
3. Aadhaar card
4. Ration Card
5. BPL Card
6. Caste Certificate
7. Copy of Bank Passbook (Frontpage with details of Bank name, Branch name, Account holder name, Account Number, IFSC code)

What are the features of the Udyogini Scheme?

The Udyogini Scheme is an excellent vehicle to empower women entrepreneurs and to provide them with the required skills to progress in their ventures. The various features associated with the Udyogini Scheme are mentioned below.

• Higher loan value

The loan amount under the Udyogini Scheme is easily sanctioned to applicants provided they meet the eligibility requirements set under the scheme. The maximum loan available under this scheme is Rs. 3,00,000. 

• Wider coverage under the scheme

The Udyogini Scheme includes many types of small industries where they can open their business with the financial assistance provided by the lenders under this scheme. The scheme covers approximately 88 small-scale industries. These industries include industries like bakeries, groceries, libraries, fisheries, businesses related to the agricultural sector, agarbatti manufacturing, beauty parlour, clinic, flour mills, flower shops, jute carpet manufacturing, leaf cup manufacturing, milk booths, papad making, pottery, stationery shop, tea stall, typing institute, etc.

• Interest-free loans

The key objective of this scheme is to provide financial assistance to the underprivileged, poor, widows and disabled. The finance to be provided is easily available upon meeting the eligibility. The applicants can also get interest-free loans under this scheme to ensure that the true purpose of the scheme is achieved. 

• Subsidy

The scheme also allows the women entrepreneurs to also get a subsidy to the extent of 30% on the loans. This helps in the better repayment of loans secured under the scheme.

• Skill Development

Apart from providing financial assistance, the scheme also allows the women entrepreneurs to gain the necessary skills to take care of their business more efficiently. These skills can be like business planning, feasibility, pricing, costing and others.

 

Who are the top lenders of the Udyogini Scheme?

Udyogini Scheme has been initiated by Karnataka State Women’s Development Corporation (KSWDC), Cooperative Bank Regional Rural Bank, Sind Bank in coordination with different private and other public sector Banks. Some highlights from lenders providing this scheme are mentioned below.

Lender	Details
Karnataka State Women’s Development Corporation (KSWDC)	Maximum loan amount – Rs. 3,00,000 Subsidy for SC/ST candidates – 30% subsidy (maximum Rs. 10,000) Subsidy for general candidates – 20% subsidy (maximum Rs. 7,500) Age – 18-45 years EDP training – provided for 3 days before disbursal of loan
Punjab and Sind Bank	No margin for loan amount up to Rs. 25,000 No collateral for loan amount up to Rs. 25,000 (beyond which collateral is required) No collateral amount for loan amount up to Rs. 25,00,000 for MSEs if they are covered under CGF Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Small Industries Loan amount to be in nature of term loans or working capital loans
Saraswat Bank	Loan amount – Rs.2,00,000 – Rs.100,00,000 (depends on the size of the business) Tenure – 6 – 7 years Interest rate – 11.15% depends on the nature of business
Bajaj Finserv	Loan amount – Maximum Rs. 3,00,000 Subsidy – up to 30% on loans Loan available for 88 Small Scale industries

 

Conclusion

Udyogini scheme is one of the many welfare schemes initiated by the government to ensure women especially in backward areas get good opportunities for self-employment and thus ensure safety and security not only for themselves but their families too. Udyogini provides collateral-free loans up to Rs. 3,00,000 for eligible applicants as well as skill training to help them build their business.