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Stand-Up India Scheme Extended to 2031 With Rs 4,111 Crore Corpus

Published: 12 November 2026
Prelims: economy

Original symbolic image: Stand-Up India Scheme Extended to 2031 With Rs 4,111 Crore Corpus
Original symbolic image: pcsmantra.com
Original symbolic illustration for Stand-Up India scheme extended to 2031: Rs 4,111 crore corpus, target of 2.5 lakh new entrepreneurs
Original symbolic illustration: pcsmantra.com

12 November 2026: The Union Cabinet approved extending the Stand-Up India scheme to 31 March 2031 for five years with a corpus of Rs 4,111 crore; the target is to financially support 2.5 lakh additional entrepreneurs over the next five years.

Key points of the extension

  • Period: The scheme will now continue till 31.03.2031.
  • Corpus: Approved allocation of Rs 4,111 crore.
  • Target: Loan access to 2.5 lakh additional entrepreneurs in five years.
  • Performance so far: More than Rs 40,710 crore has been sanctioned to over 1.8 lakh accounts under the scheme.

What is the scheme?

  • Launch: 5 April 2016; administered under the Ministry of Finance.
  • Eligible borrowers: SC/ST and women entrepreneurs setting up a new (greenfield) enterprise; the applicant must be above 18 years of age.
  • Loan range: Above Rs 10 lakh and up to Rs 1 crore (up to 85% of project cost); as composite (working capital + term) or term loan.
  • Sectors: Manufacturing, services, trading and allied agricultural activities.

Context: From the UPSC-PCS exam perspective

  • Syllabus link: General Studies - Indian Economy (financial inclusion, entrepreneurship ecosystem, MSME).
  • Key: At least one SC/ST and one woman borrower per bank branch - this is the scheme's core design.
  • Possible confusion: Do not mix up Stand-Up India (SC/ST + women, Rs 10 lakh-1 crore) with the Mudra scheme (Shishu-Kishore-Tarun, up to Rs 10 lakh).

Quiz: Test your knowledge

Q1: Till which date has the Stand-Up India scheme been extended?

(a) 31 March 2028
(b) 31 March 2031
(c) 31 March 2030
(d) 5 April 2031

Answer and explanation: (b) The Cabinet has approved extending the scheme for five years till 31.03.2031.

Q2: What is the maximum loan limit under the Stand-Up India scheme?

(a) Rs 10 lakh
(b) Rs 20 lakh
(c) Rs 50 lakh
(d) Rs 1 crore

Answer and explanation: (d) The scheme provides loans above Rs 10 lakh and up to Rs 1 crore.

Sources:

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