Government schemes for women in Telangana, beyond the free bus

Also called Mahalakshmi free bus, Maha Lakshmi scheme, Mahalaxmi bus, zero ticket, TGSRTC free travel for women, free bus Telangana women

Free travel (a zero rupee ticket) on TGSRTC Palle Velugu, Express, City Ordinary and City Metro Express buses inside Telangana

Girls and women of any age, and transgender persons, who live in Telangana travel free on ordinary TGSRTC buses anywhere inside the state. There is no income limit and no form to fill.

Status

Running since 9 December 2023 and still running in 2026, with ₹4,305 crore set aside for the Mahalaxmi scheme in the 2026-27 budget; checked 6 October 2026.

Who can apply

• Girls and women of all ages, and transgender persons, who are residents of Telangana
• Valid on TGSRTC Palle Velugu (village), Express, City Ordinary and City Metro Express buses
• On interstate Express and Palle Velugu buses, travel is free only up to the Telangana border

Documents

• Original Aadhaar card with a Telangana address (shown to the conductor)

How to apply

1. No registration is needed
2. Board a Palle Velugu, Express, City Ordinary or Metro Express TGSRTC bus
3. Show your original Aadhaar card to the conductor and take the zero rupee ticket

In person: Any TGSRTC bus conductor or bus station

Run by

Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC), Transport Department, Government of Telangana

Deluxe, Super Luxury, AC and private buses are not free. TGSRTC has said photocopies of Aadhaar are not accepted. TGSRTC is piloting a chip smart card to replace showing Aadhaar; until it reaches your district, Aadhaar still works. Do not pay anyone online for a 'Mahalakshmi card'.

Checked 6 October 2026 against Budget Speech 2025-26 (English), TGSRTC announces Mahalakshmi free bus travel scheme saved travel costs of women across state (30 March 2026), Telangana Budget Analysis 2026-27, Congress govt in Telangana flags off Mahalakshmi scheme (bus types and border rule) · Official page to apply

Also called Aasara widow pension, Cheyutha pension, vitantu pension, vidhava pension, widow pension Telangana, Asara pension

₹2,016 a month

A monthly pension of ₹2,016 for poor widows aged 18 or more. The money comes to her bank or post office account.

Status

Paying ₹2,016 a month in 2026; a new enrolment drive for widows ran from mid August to 15 September 2026 and is now closed for scrutiny; the promised raise to ₹4,000 has not happened; checked 6 October 2026.

Who can apply

• Widow aged 18 years or more
• Death certificate of her husband
• Family income below ₹1.5 lakh a year in a village area or ₹2 lakh a year in a town or city (G.O.Ms.No.23 of 2014, as quoted in G.O.Ms.No.27)
• Family must not own more than 3 acres of wet (irrigated) land or 7.5 acres of dry land
• Nobody in the family may hold a government, public sector, outsourced, contract or private sector job, or draw a government or freedom fighter pension (declaration on the Cheyutha form)
• Family must not own a car or other light or heavy motor vehicle, or a large business
• Young widows (up to 45) are checked every year for remarriage

Documents

• Aadhaar card
• Husband's death certificate
• Age proof (Aadhaar, voter card, birth or school certificate)
• Bank or post office savings passbook
• Food security (ration) card or income certificate from the Tahsildar
• Photograph

How to apply

1. Watch for the next enrolment drive announced by your District Collector (the 2026 drive closed on 15 September 2026)
2. Fill the Cheyutha application form (download from the Cheyutha portal) or apply through MeeSeva
3. Hand it to the Panchayat Secretary (village) or the Ward Officer or Bill Collector (town), with documents
4. If you already applied in Praja Palana, Prajavani or the Pragathi Pranalika gram sabhas with documents, you do not need to apply again
5. Check status under 'New Sanctions Applicants Search' on the Cheyutha portal

In person: Gram Panchayat Secretary, MPDO office, Municipal Commissioner, or MeeSeva centre

Run by

Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP), Rural Development Department, Government of Telangana

₹2,016 has not changed since 2019, although a raise to ₹4,000 was promised in 2023. New pensions open only in drives, not all year. Village SHG federations help widows get the papers.

Checked 6 October 2026 against G.O.Ms.No.17 PR&RD dated 5 November 2014 (Aasara pension guidelines), on the Cheyutha portal, Telangana Budget Analysis 2026-27, Applications invited for Cheyutha Pension Scheme in Telangana (13 August 2026), Three years on, Telangana senior citizens still await Congress Rs 4,000 pension promise (1 October 2026)

Also called Ontari mahila pension, single women pension Telangana, Aasara single women, deserted women pension, Cheyutha pension

₹2,016 a month

A monthly pension for poor single women with no family support: married women separated or deserted by their husband for more than a year, and unmarried women over 30 (village) or over 35 (town).

Status

Paying ₹2,016 a month in 2026; single women were included in the August to 15 September 2026 enrolment drive, which is now closed for scrutiny; checked 6 October 2026.

Who can apply

• Married woman above 18 who has been separated from her husband, or deserted by him, for more than one year
• Or an unmarried woman above 30 years of age in a village area, or above 35 years in a town or city
• Must not already get another social security pension or any public or private pension
• Women above 65 are moved to the old age pension instead
• Family income below ₹1.5 lakh a year in a village area or ₹2 lakh a year in a town or city (G.O.Ms.No.23 of 2014, as quoted in G.O.Ms.No.27)
• Family must not own more than 3 acres of wet (irrigated) land or 7.5 acres of dry land
• Nobody in the family may hold a government, public sector, outsourced, contract or private sector job, or draw a government or freedom fighter pension (declaration on the Cheyutha form)
• Family must not own a car or other light or heavy motor vehicle, or a large business
• The pension stops if she remarries or gets a permanent job

Documents

• Aadhaar card or other age proof
• Proof of separation or unmarried status (the Tahsildar can do a local enquiry if papers are missing)
• Bank or post office savings passbook
• Food security (ration) card or income certificate from the Tahsildar
• Photograph

How to apply

1. Watch for the next enrolment drive (the 2026 drive closed on 15 September 2026)
2. Fill the Cheyutha form and tick 'Single Women'; give the separation or unmarried document and date
3. Hand it to the Panchayat Secretary (village) or Bill Collector (town), or apply at MeeSeva
4. Eligible women are confirmed in a gram sabha or ward sabha

In person: Gram Panchayat Secretary, Tahsildar office, Municipal office, or MeeSeva centre

Run by

Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP), Rural Development Department, Government of Telangana

The income limit is ₹1.5 lakh in villages and ₹2 lakh in towns; the finder uses the higher number, so check which applies to you. Women separated for less than a year are not covered.

Checked 6 October 2026 against G.O.Ms.No.27 PR&RD dated 2 May 2017 (Financial Assistance to Single Women), on the Cheyutha portal, Applications invited for Cheyutha Pension Scheme in Telangana (13 August 2026), Telangana leaves four categories out of new Cheyutha pension enrolment (14 August 2026)

Also called beedi karmikula pension, beedi workers pension Telangana, Aasara beedi pension, bidi workers pension

₹2,016 a month

A monthly pension for poor beedi rollers, most of them women, already on the beedi worker pension list. New enrolment is shut in 2026.

Status

Existing beedi worker pensions are paid at ₹2,016 a month, but beedi workers were left out of the 2026 new enrolment drive, so no new names are being added; checked 6 October 2026.

Who can apply

• Beedi workers covered by the government orders, including beedi workers registered with the Provident Fund
• Same household income and asset limits as other Cheyutha pensions

Documents

• Aadhaar card
• Beedi worker Provident Fund details
• Bank or post office savings passbook

How to apply

1. New applications are not being taken in 2026
2. If you already get it, check your payment with 'Search Pensioner Details' on the Cheyutha portal

In person: MPDO office or Municipal office

Run by

Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP), Rural Development Department, Government of Telangana

In August 2026 the state opened new pensions for seven categories but left out senior citizens, HIV patients, beedi workers and beedi contractors.

Checked 6 October 2026 against G.O.Ms.No.34 PR&RD dated 28 May 2019 (pension raised to ₹2,016 for widows, single women, beedi workers and others), on the Cheyutha portal, Telangana leaves four categories out of new Cheyutha pension enrolment (14 August 2026)

Also called employment exchange Telangana, job seeker registration Telangana, job mela Telangana, udyoga mela, TOMCOM overseas jobs

Free registration, job alerts, job melas with private employers, career guidance, and safe overseas job help through TOMCOM

Register once as a job seeker to hear about job melas and vacancies in your district. The same department runs TOMCOM, the state agency for safe jobs abroad.

Status

Online job seeker registration and district job melas running in 2026 (about 4.5 lakh job seekers registered); checked 6 October 2026.

Who can apply

• Any job seeker living in Telangana

Documents

• Aadhaar card
• Education certificates
• Mobile number

How to apply

1. Open employment.telangana.gov.in and choose 'Job seeker Registration'
2. Fill your details and upload certificates
3. Watch the Job Mela page and attend melas in your district

In person: District Employment Office

Run by

Department of Employment and Training, Labour Employment Training and Factories Department, Government of Telangana

Registering does not mean you will be offered a job, and Telangana has no unemployment allowance in 2026.

Checked 6 October 2026 against Directorate of Employment and Training portal, TOMCOM active overseas vacancies · Official page to apply

Also called PM Internship Yojana, PMIS 9000 stipend, pminternship

₹9,000 a month (minimum, subject to attendance) plus a one-time joining grant of ₹6,000

A paid internship in a large company for young people aged 18 to 25 who are not in a full-time job. Since April 2026 final-year undergraduate and postgraduate students can also apply with a college NOC.

Status

Round 3 of the pilot is running in 2026 with companies posting internships on an ongoing basis (PIB, 22 Apr and 21 May 2026). Checked 1 Oct 2026.

Who can apply

• Indian youth aged 18 to 25 years
• Not in full-time employment
• Final-year UG and PG students may apply with a No Objection Certificate from their institution
• Applicants must meet the other existing eligibility criteria of the scheme

Documents

• Aadhaar
• Aadhaar-linked bank account
• College NOC (final-year students only)

How to apply

1. Register on the PMIS portal or app with Aadhaar
2. Fill your profile and pick internships
3. Accept an offer if selected

In person: Helpline 1800 11 6090

Run by

Ministry of Corporate Affairs

Still a pilot. The 2024 pilot rules excluded anyone whose family member earned over ₹8 lakh a year, had a government job, or who held degrees such as CA, MBA, MBBS or from IITs and IIMs; check the current rules on the portal.

Checked 1 October 2026 against MCA expands eligibility of PMIS to final-year students (22 Apr 2026), PMIS: MY Bharat awareness campaign, ₹9,000 plus ₹6,000 joining grant (21 May 2026), A Pathway to Professional Growth: PM's Internship Scheme (pilot rules, Oct 2024) · Official page to apply

Also called NCS job portal, Jobs for Women, employment exchange online, ncs.gov.in

Free job search, job fairs, career counselling and a 'Jobs for Women' section

The government's free job portal for private and government jobs, job fairs and career guidance. It has a 'Jobs for Women' link on the home page and connects to e-Shram and Skill India.

Status

Running in 2026; over 6.02 crore jobseekers and 8.17 crore vacancies as of 20 Nov 2025 (PIB, 4 Dec 2025). Checked 1 Oct 2026.

Who can apply

• Any jobseeker in India

How to apply

1. Open ncs.gov.in and sign up as a Jobseeker
2. Complete your profile and open 'Jobs for Women' or search jobs
3. e-Shram card holders can register using their UAN

In person: District Employment Exchange / Model Career Centre

Run by

Ministry of Labour and Employment (Directorate General of Employment)

NCS never charges a fee at any stage. Anyone asking for money in NCS's name is a fraud. Many listings are low-paid, so check the employer.

Checked 1 October 2026 against National Career Service home page ('Jobs for Women', 'NCS services are free of cost'), Over 6 crore jobseekers registered on NCS (4 Dec 2025) · Official page to apply

Also called eShram, e Shram card, shramik card, UAN card

Free e-Shram card with a Universal Account Number (UAN) that links you to 14 central welfare schemes, NCS jobs, Skill India and the PM-SYM pension (₹3,000 a month from age 60 if you join between 18 and 40)

A free ID card for informal workers such as domestic workers, home-based workers, farm labourers and vendors. It does not pay money by itself, but makes it easier to reach insurance, pension, housing and job schemes.

Status

Registration open and free; over 31.48 crore workers registered by 26 Jan 2026 (PIB, 2 Feb 2026). Checked 1 Oct 2026.

Who can apply

• Unorganised workers aged 16 to 59: home-based, self-employed or wage workers in the unorganised sector
• Not a member of EPFO or ESIC

Documents

• Aadhaar number
• Aadhaar-linked mobile number (or biometric at a CSC)

How to apply

1. Self-register on eshram.gov.in or the e-Shram app with Aadhaar and OTP
2. Or go to a Common Service Centre (it must not charge you)
3. Download the card and use the One-Stop-Solution page to see linked schemes

In person: Common Service Centre (CSC) or State Sewa Kendra

Run by

Ministry of Labour and Employment

The card has no cash benefit of its own; messages promising money 'on your e-Shram card' are not from the government. Registration is totally free.

Checked 1 October 2026 against e-SHRAM cards for unorganised workers (2 Feb 2026), e-Shram FAQs (age 16 to 59, free registration), Benefits under e-Shram card (PM-SYM pension) · Official page to apply

Also called TASK Telangana, TASK skill training, TASK registration, tgtask, finishing school Telangana

Job skills courses, finishing school, internships and placement drives

TASK trains degree, engineering, pharmacy, polytechnic and MBA students and graduates in job skills and links them to employers. Students mostly join through their college.

Status

Student registration for the 2026-27 academic year is open, with job melas and placement drives; checked 6 October 2026.

Who can apply

• Students of engineering, degree, pharmacy, polytechnic, MBA, MCA and PG colleges registered with TASK
• Graduates can register through TASK regional centres

Documents

• Aadhaar card
• College hall ticket number
• Mobile number and email

How to apply

1. Open task.telangana.gov.in and choose Students, then New Registration
2. Pick your college and branch and pay the registration fee if asked
3. Choose courses from the Training Calendar

In person: TASK, 1st floor, Sanketika Vidya Bhavan, Masab Tank, Hyderabad (040-35312500)

Run by

Telangana Academy for Skill and Knowledge, ITE&C Department, Government of Telangana

TASK mainly serves college students and recent graduates; women without a college link may find the Employment Department or SERP training easier. Registration has a fee, which we could not confirm.

Checked 6 October 2026 against TASK home page and FAQs · Official page to apply

Also called Vaddi Leni Runalu, VLR, interest free loan SHG Telangana, DWACRA loan, Indira Mahila Shakti loan, Mahila Shakti Mission, podupu sangham loan, Stree Nidhi

Bank loans to the group from ₹75,000 to ₹10 lakh, with the state paying the interest if the group repays on time

Women's self-help groups (SHGs) get bank loans and the state government pays the interest when the group repays every instalment on time. Members use the money for small businesses like dairy, tailoring, shops or food units.

Status

Running in 2026; the 2026-27 budget sets aside ₹2,500 crore for interest-free loans to women's groups; checked 6 October 2026.

Who can apply

• Member of a women's self-help group (SHG) under SERP in villages or MEPMA in towns
• The group must save regularly and repay bank instalments on time to get the interest paid back

Documents

• SHG membership and group bank account
• Aadhaar card
• Group resolution and micro credit plan (the village organisation helps)

How to apply

1. Join or form a women's SHG of 10 to 15 women through your village organisation (VO) or MEPMA resource person
2. Save every month in the SHG bank account
3. Make a micro credit plan with the Community Resource Person (CRP) and apply to the bank through the group
4. Repay on time; the interest is then paid by the state

In person: Village Organisation, Mandal Samakhya or IKP office (villages); MEPMA office in the municipality (towns)

Run by

SERP (villages) and MEPMA (towns), Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Department and MA&UD Department, Government of Telangana

The loan is to the group, not to one woman alone. If any instalment is late, the group may lose the interest subsidy for that period.

Checked 6 October 2026 against Budget Speech 2025-26 (English), MEPMA: SHG bank linkage (loans ₹75,000 to ₹10 lakh, interest subsidy VLR), SERP Mahila Shakthi page (45.6 lakh SHG members in 4.35 lakh SHGs), Bank Linkage programme, Telangana govt raises interest-free loan limit for women SHGs to Rs 10 lakh (May 2026) · Official page to apply

Also called Indira Mahila Shakti canteen, SHG bus owners TGSRTC, Mahila Shakti petrol bunk, SHG solar plant Telangana, Indira Mahila Shakti Bhavan

Group businesses run by women's SHGs: buses leased to TGSRTC (about ₹70,000 a month rent per bus), canteens, petrol pumps, solar plants, and school uniform stitching at ₹75 a uniform

The state hands women's SHG federations ready business units: buses rented to TGSRTC, Indira Mahila Shakti canteens, petrol pumps, solar power plants, rice mills and school uniform stitching. The income goes to the group.

Status

Expanding in 2026: the 2026-27 budget plans 600 SHG-owned buses leased to TGSRTC, 28 more women-run petrol pumps and 22 more Mahila Shakti Bhavans; checked 6 October 2026.

Who can apply

• Women's SHGs and their Mandal Samakhyas (mandal federations) or town federations
• Units are allotted by the federation and SERP or MEPMA, not by individual application

Documents

• SHG membership
• Federation resolution

How to apply

1. Be an active member of a women's SHG
2. Ask your Village Organisation or Mandal Samakhya which units (bus, canteen, uniform stitching, solar) are being given in your mandal
3. The federation chooses the members who run the unit

In person: Mandal Samakhya or IKP office (villages); MEPMA office (towns)

Run by

SERP and MEPMA with TGSRTC, TGREDCO and DISCOMs, Government of Telangana

These are group units decided by the federation; a single woman cannot apply for a bus or petrol pump on her own.

Checked 6 October 2026 against Budget Speech 2025-26 (English), Telangana government to add 448 rented buses operated by women SHGs to RTC fleet (2 December 2025), Telangana govt will empower women SHGs to set up rice mills, godowns and other facilities (9 March 2025), From free bus rides to petrol pumps, Telangana Budget puts women at centre (2026-27 budget) · Official page to apply

Also called WE-Hub, WEHub Hyderabad, women entrepreneurs hub Telangana, women startup incubator Telangana

Free incubation, mentoring, help with government schemes and bank loans, compliance and tax help, and market links for women-led businesses

A state agency in Hyderabad that helps women start and grow businesses, from a first idea to scaling up. It runs cohort programmes like WE Reach (3 months, beginners), Project Inclusion (6 months, existing businesses) and WE Leads (4 months, ready to scale).

Status

Running in 2026 with pre-incubation, incubation and acceleration programmes; the 2026-27 budget says 700 women entrepreneurs were supported; checked 6 October 2026.

Who can apply

• Any woman entrepreneur at any stage, from any sector, education or background
• Programmes take cohorts; each call sets its own criteria

Documents

• Aadhaar card
• Business details (for existing businesses: registration, Udyam if any)

How to apply

1. Read the open programmes on the WE Hub and Startup Telangana pages
2. Apply when a cohort call opens, or call WE Hub on +91 93921 84664

In person: WE Hub, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University Campus, Road No. 45, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad

Run by

WE Hub, ITE&C Department, Government of Telangana

WE Hub gives support and links to loans, not direct cash for most women. In October 2026 the WE Hub website was showing hidden casino advertising links, so type the address yourself and never pay any fee through a link.

Checked 6 October 2026 against Women Entrepreneurship (WE Hub), Telangana launches RAMP programme to boost 45 women-led MSMEs with World Bank support (25 September 2025) · Official page to apply

Also called Rajiv Yuva Vikasam, Rajeev Yuva Vikasam, Rajeev Youth Development Scheme, RYV loan, self employment loan Telangana

Financial help up to ₹4 lakh for a self-employment unit, with a large part as subsidy

Unemployed SC, ST, BC and minority youth were promised help of up to ₹4 lakh, mostly as a government subsidy with the rest as a bank loan, to start a small business. Applications were taken in 2025 but the money has not been released.

Status

Launched in March 2025 and about 16 lakh people applied, but as of August 2026 no loans had been given; ₹5,800 crore is in the 2026-27 budget; checked 6 October 2026.

Who can apply

• Unemployed youth from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes or minority communities
• Resident of Telangana

Documents

• Aadhaar card
• Caste certificate
• Income certificate
• Ration card
• Bank account

How to apply

1. Applications are not open now
2. If you applied in 2025, keep your application number and watch TGOBMMS and your MPDO or municipal office for the selection list

In person: MPDO office (villages) or Municipal Commissioner office (towns)

Run by

SC, ST, BC and Minority Welfare Departments and their finance corporations, Government of Telangana (applications on TGOBMMS)

Fifteen months after launch the scheme had not paid anyone, and officials have given no update on applications. Do not pay any middleman who promises a sanction letter.

Checked 6 October 2026 against Budget Speech 2025-26 (English), Telangana Budget Analysis 2026-27, Telangana CM launches Rajiv Yuva Vikasam to boost self-employment for youth (18 March 2025), Uncertainty grows over implementation of Rajiv Yuva Vikasam in Telangana (August 2026)

Also called Indiramma sewing machine, kuttu machine scheme, free sewing machine Telangana, BC women sewing machine

A free automatic sewing machine to work from home

Unemployed women from Backward Classes (BC) who know tailoring can get an automatic sewing machine free, to earn from stitching at home. A separate sewing machine scheme exists for minority women.

Status

Registrations for 2026-27 ran on TGOBMMS from 13 August to 30 September 2026 and are now closed; machines are being given to selected women; checked 6 October 2026.

Who can apply

• Unemployed women from Backward Classes (BC)
• Apply online on TGOBMMS during the registration window

Documents

• Aadhaar card
• BC caste certificate
• Ration card or income certificate

How to apply

1. Registrations closed on 30 September 2026; watch TGOBMMS for the next window
2. When open, fill the 'Intintiki Indiramma Kuttu Machine' form on the TGOBMMS home page

In person: District BC Welfare Officer or BC Corporation office

Run by

Telangana BC Cooperative Finance Corporation, BC Welfare Department, Government of Telangana

Age and income limits were reported in the news (18 to 55 years; ₹1.5 lakh village, ₹2 lakh town) but we could not open the official order.

Checked 6 October 2026 against TGOBMMS portal home page (Intintiki Indiramma Kuttu Machine form for unemployed BC women, 2026-27), Telangana launches Indiramma sewing machine scheme for women (25 August 2026)

Also called Mudra loan, PM Mudra, Shishu Kishor Tarun loan, Tarun Plus

Business loan without collateral up to ₹20 lakh: Shishu up to ₹50,000, Kishor ₹50,000 to ₹5 lakh, Tarun ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh, Tarun Plus ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh

A loan from a bank or other lender to start or grow a small non-farm business, with no property needed as security. It is open to men and women; about 60% of Mudra loan accounts in 2024-25 belonged to women.

Status

Running in 2026: PIB reported loans disbursed to 27 March 2026 and the scheme completed 11 years on 8 April 2026. Checked 1 Oct 2026.

Who can apply

• Non-corporate, non-farm micro and small enterprises in manufacturing, trading, services and activities allied to agriculture
• Shishu loans are open to new entrepreneurs with no credit history or collateral
• Tarun Plus (₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh) is only for borrowers who took and fully repaid a Tarun loan

How to apply

1. Go to any bank branch, small finance bank, NBFC or microfinance lender, or apply online on the JanSamarth portal
2. Ask for a loan under PMMY and choose the category that fits the amount
3. Never pay an agent or a 'processing fee' to anyone outside the lender: MUDRA Ltd does not give loans directly

In person: Any bank branch or registered NBFC / microfinance lender

Run by

Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance (through banks, NBFCs and MFIs; MUDRA Ltd refinances)

MUDRA Ltd itself never lends to individuals. PIB Fact Check has flagged fake 'Mudra loan approval letters' asking for fees almost every month from 2024 to September 2026. The loan must be repaid with the bank's normal interest; there is no subsidy.

Checked 1 October 2026 against 11 Years of Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (8 Apr 2026), PMMY loan limit raised to ₹20 lakh (Tarun Plus), PIB Fact Check: fake website onlinemudraindia.co.in (19 Mar 2026), Mudra FAQ · Official page to apply

Also called PMEGP loan, KVIC loan subsidy, margin money subsidy

Subsidy of 25% to 35% of the project cost on a bank loan for a new unit (women: 35% in villages, 25% in towns); project cost up to ₹50 lakh (manufacturing) or ₹20 lakh (service)

Helps a person start a new small factory or service unit outside farming. The bank gives the loan and the government pays part of the project cost as a one-time subsidy. Women count as a special category, so they get the higher subsidy and put in only 5% of their own money.

Status

Portal open and scheme active in 2026 (PIB, 12 Mar 2026). Its last Cabinet approval ran to 2025-26; a formal 2026-27 extension notice was not found. Checked 1 Oct 2026.

Who can apply

• Any individual above 18 years of age
• No income ceiling
• At least VIII standard pass for projects above ₹10 lakh in manufacturing or above ₹5 lakh in business/service
• Only one person per family (self, spouse, unmarried children)
• Existing units, and units that already took a government subsidy under another scheme, are not eligible
• Projects without capital expenditure are not eligible

Documents

• Aadhaar

How to apply

1. Apply online on the PMEGP portal (New Application)
2. Pick KVIC, KVIB or DIC as the agency and choose a bank
3. Complete the short EDP training (not needed for projects up to ₹2 lakh)
4. The bank sanctions the loan and the subsidy is routed through the bank

In person: District Industries Centre (DIC) or KVIC / KVIB office

Run by

Ministry of MSME (KVIC, State KVIBs and District Industries Centres)

It is a subsidy on a bank loan, not a grant: you must get a bank loan and put in 5% (special category) or 10% (general) yourself.

Checked 1 October 2026 against PMEGP FAQ (eligibility), Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (subsidy rates, women as special category), Initiatives to strengthen rural and semi-urban MSMEs (12 Mar 2026), Continuation of PMEGP 2021-22 to 2025-26 · Official page to apply

Also called Lakhpati Didi Yojana, Aajeevika, NRLM SHG loan, self help group

Through your self-help group: a Revolving Fund of about ₹20,000 to ₹30,000 per group, up to ₹2.5 lakh per group from the Community Investment Fund, bank loans with interest subvention (loans up to ₹3 lakh at 7%), a ₹5,000 Jan-Dhan overdraft, and free livelihood and enterprise training

Rural women join a self-help group (SHG) of neighbours, save together and get group funds, cheap bank loans and training to build a business or farm income. A 'Lakhpati Didi' is an SHG member whose household earns over ₹1 lakh a year.

Status

Active in 2026: over 3 crore Lakhpati Didis reached; target doubled to 6 crore by March 2029 (PIB, 13 Feb 2026). Checked 1 Oct 2026.

Who can apply

• Rural women who join a DAY-NRLM self-help group
• To be picked as a potential Lakhpati Didi: SHG member for at least two years, has used the Community Investment Fund, and runs at least two livelihood activities

How to apply

1. Ask the village SHG, Village Organisation or Community Resource Person to join a group
2. Save regularly in the group and keep records
3. Ask the block mission office about training and loans for your activity

In person: Block office of the State Rural Livelihoods Mission, or the Gram Panchayat

Run by

Ministry of Rural Development

There is no direct cash payment to become a Lakhpati Didi. Money comes as group funds and loans that must be repaid. Interest subvention rates vary by district.

Checked 1 October 2026 against How do I become a Lakhpati Didi, Financial Assistance, Doubling of target of Lakhpati Didis to 6 crore (13 Feb 2026), National Campaign on Entrepreneurship: EDP training for 50 lakh SHG members (14 Jan 2026) · Official page to apply