Stand Up India is a bank loan, between ₹10 lakh and ₹1 crore, for a first business led by an SC or ST founder or a woman founder. It is repaid with interest. It appears in a lot of "grant" lists, so it is worth being exact about what it is. Every figure below was read off standupmitra.in, the scheme's own portal, on 17 October 2026.
What Stand Up India offers
| What | Published figure |
|---|---|
| What it is | A composite bank loan, repaid with interest |
| Amount | ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore, up to 85 percent of the project cost |
| Who | An SC or ST founder and/or a woman founder aged 18 or over, for a greenfield (first) venture. In a company, they hold at least 51 percent and control it |
| Your contribution | At least 10 percent of the project cost |
| Interest | Capped at the bank's MCLR plus 3 percent plus a tenor premium |
| Repayment | Up to 7 years, with a moratorium of up to 18 months |
"Greenfield" is the rule that catches people out
The loan is for a first venture. If you are expanding a business you already run, or the company has traded in this line before, it does not fit. The other condition founders miss sits in the ownership: in a company or partnership, the SC, ST or woman founder has to hold at least 51 percent and control it. A woman co-founder with a minority stake does not make the company eligible.
You still bring 10 percent
The loan covers up to 85 percent of the project cost, and you put in at least 10 percent yourself. Plan for that contribution in cash before you go to the bank.
Who it suits
A founder starting a business with real assets or working capital needs, who can service a loan from early revenue. It does not suit a pre-revenue software startup looking for money that does not have to be repaid. For that, look at grants and incubator programmes instead.
Before you apply
Start at standupmitra.in, the scheme's portal, and then talk to your bank branch. Every bank branch is meant to lend to at least one SC or ST borrower and one woman borrower under the scheme. If the terms at the branch differ from this page, the bank's sanction letter is what counts.
To see grants you can apply to alongside a loan, run your profile through the grant catalog.
Common questions
Is Stand Up India a grant?
No. It is a bank loan of ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore that is repaid with interest, capped at the bank's MCLR plus 3 percent plus a tenor premium.
Who is eligible for Stand Up India?
An SC or ST founder and/or a woman founder aged 18 or over, starting a first (greenfield) venture. In a company they must hold at least 51 percent and control it.
How much do I need to put in myself?
At least 10 percent of the project cost. The loan covers up to 85 percent.
Source
Stand-Up India portal, Government of India: standupmitra.in. Checked 17 October 2026.
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