By Team Awaaz 365
India is becoming one of the worldโs most exciting startup hubs. From small-town innovators to tech-savvy youth, entrepreneurship is on the rise. But starting a business isn’t easy โ you need support, money, guidance, and policies that help.
Good news: The Indian government is actively helping startups grow through smart schemes and initiatives. Letโs break down the Top 10 Government Schemes every student and aspiring entrepreneur should know!
1. ๐ฎ๐ณ Startup India Initiative
Launched: 2016
Nodal Body: DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade)
โ Key Benefits:
Tax exemptions for 3 years
Self-certification for 9 labor & environment laws
Easy company registration
Access to startup ecosystem support
๐ฏ Why Itโs Great: Itโs the backbone of Indiaโs startup revolution.
2. ๐ธ MUDRA Loan Scheme
Launched: 2015
By: Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY)
โ Loan Types:
Shishu (up to โน50,000)
Kishore (โน50,000โโน5 lakh)
Tarun (โน5โ10 lakh)
๐ฏ Why Itโs Great: Great for small businesses, college projects turning into ventures, and micro startups.
3. ๐ Stand-Up India Scheme
Launched: 2016
Target Audience: SC/ST & Women entrepreneurs
โ
Loan Range: โน10 lakh โ โน1 crore
โ
Helps start your first business (greenfield projects)
๐ฏ Why Itโs Great: Empowers women and marginalized communities in entrepreneurship.
4. ๐ง Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)
By: NITI Aayog
Aim: Boost school-level, college-level, and professional innovation
โ Support Includes:
Incubation centres
Atal Tinkering Labs
Seed funding and mentorship
๐ฏ Why Itโs Great: Encourages innovation from the school bench to startups!
5. ๐ฆ Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE)
By: SIDBI & Ministry of MSME
Purpose: Provide collateral-free loans to startups and MSMEs
โ Loan limit up to โน2 crore without security
๐ฏ Why Itโs Great: Many startups struggle with loan security โ this solves that.
6. ๐ผ Support for International Patent Protection in Electronics & IT (SIP-EIT)
By: Ministry of Electronics & IT
Focus: Help Indian tech startups file international patents
โ Up to โน15 lakh reimbursement per invention
๐ฏ Why Itโs Great: Helps protect your tech/product globally.
7. ๐งช Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG)
By: BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council)
Target: Early-stage biotech startups
โ
Grant up to โน50 lakh
โ
Focus on innovations in healthcare, agriculture, and biotech
๐ฏ Why Itโs Great: Boosts research-backed entrepreneurship.
8. ๐ TIDE 2.0 (Technology Incubation and Development of Entrepreneurs)
By: MeitY (Ministry of Electronics & IT)
Focus: Tech-based startups in areas like AI, blockchain, IoT
โ
Grants & mentorship
โ
51+ incubation centers across India
๐ฏ Why Itโs Great: Strong tech startup support at grassroots.
9. ๐ฑ National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI)
By: DST (Department of Science & Technology)
โ
Support for student innovators and early-stage entrepreneurs
โ
Includes pre-incubation, angel funding, and mentoring
๐ฏ Why Itโs Great: Focuses on student innovators and research-to-market ideas.
10. ๐ Export Promotion Schemes (for Startups Going Global)
By: Ministry of Commerce
Includes:
Market Access Initiative (MAI)
TIES (Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme)
โ Helps with international trade fairs, logistics, and setup
๐ฏ Why Itโs Great: Supports startups scaling internationally.
๐ง What Should Students Take From This?
๐ก Learning | ๐ฌ Why It Matters |
---|---|
Govt is startup-friendly | India is building a strong innovation culture |
Funding & guidance exist | You donโt need to start rich โ just smart |
Innovation is rewarded | Schemes support tech, biotech, finance, and more |
Women & rural support exists | Inclusion is a major focus of policies |
๐ Final Table: At-a-Glance Summary
๐ข No. | Scheme Name | Key Benefit | Free or Paid |
---|---|---|---|
1๏ธโฃ | Startup India | Tax exemption, legal ease | Free |
2๏ธโฃ | MUDRA Loan | Business loans up to โน10 lakh | Loan (repay) |
3๏ธโฃ | Stand-Up India | Loans for SC/ST & women entrepreneurs | Loan (repay) |
4๏ธโฃ | Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) | Innovation labs & funding | Free/Grant |
5๏ธโฃ | CGTMSE | Collateral-free loans | Loan |
6๏ธโฃ | SIP-EIT | Patent cost reimbursement | Free/Grant |
7๏ธโฃ | Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) | โน50 lakh for biotech startups | Free/Grant |
8๏ธโฃ | TIDE 2.0 | Tech startup incubation support | Free/Grant |
9๏ธโฃ | NIDHI | Student-focused incubation & funding | Free/Grant |
๐ | Export Promotion Schemes | Support to go global | Subsidy |
๐ฌ Final Thought
These schemes show that India is not just a land of job-seekers but job creators. With the right idea and a bit of hustle, the governmentโs got your back.
So go ahead โ dream big, start small, and let India’s startup ecosystem lift you higher.