More women in India are starting and running businesses — boutiques, home food brands, salons, clinics, tuition centres, manufacturing units and online stores. Funding is available through regular business loans and through government schemes that give women-led businesses some extra support.
Regular business loans
Women entrepreneurs can apply for the same business loans as anyone else — working capital, term loans, equipment loans — on the strength of turnover, banking history and credit record. Some lenders run special programmes for women borrowers; ask about them.
Government-supported schemes
PM Mudra Yojana
Loans up to ₹20 lakh for micro and small non-farm businesses through participating lenders, in the Shishu, Kishore, Tarun and Tarun Plus categories. Read Mudra loan explained.
Stand-Up India
Supports bank loans between ₹10 lakh and ₹1 crore for greenfield (first-time) enterprises in manufacturing, services or trading set up by women or SC/ST entrepreneurs. For a firm or company, at least 51% of the shareholding and control must be with the woman entrepreneur. Check with your bank or the Stand-Up Mitra portal whether the scheme is open and on what terms.
CGTMSE
The credit guarantee for collateral-free MSE loans gives higher guarantee cover for women-led enterprises than the general rate, which can make lenders more comfortable lending without collateral. Read CGTMSE explained.
Schemes, limits and eligibility change; confirm the current details with the lender or the official scheme website before you apply.
Preparing a strong application
- Register the business — Udyam is free; get GST where it applies.
- Keep business money in a business account in your name or the business's.
- Build your own credit record — a loan or card in your own name, repaid on time. See how to improve your CIBIL score.
- Keep simple records — sales, purchases, a basic profit statement.
- Plan the EMI with the business loan EMI calculator.
Apply with Oxon Fintech
Share your business details once, link your bank account digitally through Account Aggregator and see offers from our lending partners. See business loans for women entrepreneurs.
This guide is general information, not financial advice. Interest rates, fees, eligibility and other terms are set by each lender and can change; the figures in examples are illustrative only. Oxon Fintech is a loan facilitation platform, not a lender — loans are sanctioned and disbursed by our lending partners.