The short answer: central government schemes for women mainly do four things — provide business loans, savings for a daughter, skill training, and social security. Below are the major schemes in each category, what they broadly offer, and most importantly the official portal where you can verify your own eligibility.
1. For business and self-employment
PM Mudra Yojana — women entrepreneurs
A loan for a small business, with no collateral required. The loan comes in three categories — Shishu (smallest), Kishor (medium) and Tarun (largest). Many banks offer women applicants slightly relaxed terms.
- Who it's for: a new or existing small business (manufacturing, trading, services).
- Where to apply: any bank or NBFC branch, or mudra.org.in.
- What you need: ID and address proof, a business plan or proof of business, bank statements.
Stand Up India
Larger loans for SC/ST and women entrepreneurs starting a new (greenfield) enterprise — in manufacturing, services, trading or an agriculture-allied activity.
- Where to apply: standupmitra.in or a scheduled commercial bank branch.
PM Vishwakarma Yojana
For people working in traditional skills and crafts — tailoring, pottery, basket weaving and so on. It includes skill training, toolkit support and a concessional loan. Many women artisans fall under this scheme.
- Where to apply: pmvishwakarma.gov.in or your nearest CSC.
2. Savings for a daughter
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)
A long-term savings account opened in a daughter's name, designed for expenses like education and marriage. It has two strengths — the interest rate is considerably better than an ordinary savings account, and the deposit qualifies for a tax benefit under Section 80C.
- Who it's for: a girl under 10 years of age (there is a limit per family).
- Where to open it: a post office or an authorised bank branch.
- Rate: declared by the government every quarter — confirm the current rate at the post office or bank.
To see what it will mature to, you can use our long-term savings calculator (same logic — a yearly deposit with annual compounding).
3. Education and skill development
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
This is not a cash-transfer scheme. It is primarily a programme focused on awareness, girl-child education and health, implemented at the district level. The specific benefits available under it can differ by state and district.
Skill training programmes
Free and subsidised skill training programmes run at both central and state level, usually ending with a certificate and often some placement support. Your district industries centre or CSC can tell you what is running in your area.
Quick reference
| Scheme | What it's for | Official portal |
|---|---|---|
| PM Mudra Yojana | Small business loan, no collateral | mudra.org.in |
| Stand Up India | New enterprise, larger loan | standupmitra.in |
| PM Vishwakarma | Training plus loan for artisans | pmvishwakarma.gov.in |
| Sukanya Samriddhi | Long-term savings for a daughter | Post office / bank |
| Beti Bachao Beti Padhao | Girl child education & awareness | District administration |
Checklist before you apply
- Keep your Aadhaar and PAN ready, with the name matching on both.
- Make sure the bank account is in your own name and linked to Aadhaar.
- For business schemes, write a simple business plan — what you'll make or sell, what it costs, what you expect to earn.
- Get any income or caste certificate made in advance where required — that step takes the longest.
- Apply only through the official portal. Not every site at the top of a Google search is the official one.
Avoiding fraud
- No government scheme asks for money before approval. "Send the processing fee and the loan will come" is a scam, every time.
- Never share an OTP with anyone, even someone claiming to be a bank or government officer.
- You don't need an "agent" — applications go through a CSC or the portal itself.
- Check the portal's URL. Genuine government portals are usually on
.gov.in.
Can I benefit from more than one scheme?
Often yes — SSY for your daughter and a Mudra loan for your business are entirely separate things. But two similar loan schemes generally can't be taken together. The bank will confirm.
Can I get a loan if I don't have a business yet?
Schemes like Mudra do cover new businesses, but you have to explain what the money will be used for. These loans aren't available without some income-generating activity behind them.
What if my application is rejected?
Ask for the reason in writing. It is usually something small — a document mismatch, an incomplete form, or credit history. Fix it and reapply.
Where do I verify rates and limits?
On each scheme's official portal (listed in the table above). Post office scheme rates are published at indiapost.gov.in.
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