By Team Awaaz 365
India is becoming one of the world’s most exciting startup hubs. From small-town innovators to tech-savvy youth, entrepreneurship is on the rise. But starting a business isn’t easy — you need support, money, guidance, and policies that help.
Good news: The Indian government is actively helping startups grow through smart schemes and initiatives. Let’s break down the Top 10 Government Schemes every student and aspiring entrepreneur should know!
1. 🇮🇳 Startup India Initiative
Launched: 2016
Nodal Body: DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade)
✅ Key Benefits:
Tax exemptions for 3 years
Self-certification for 9 labor & environment laws
Easy company registration
Access to startup ecosystem support
🎯 Why It’s Great: It’s the backbone of India’s startup revolution.
2. 💸 MUDRA Loan Scheme
Launched: 2015
By: Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY)
✅ Loan Types:
Shishu (up to ₹50,000)
Kishore (₹50,000–₹5 lakh)
Tarun (₹5–10 lakh)
🎯 Why It’s Great: Great for small businesses, college projects turning into ventures, and micro startups.
3. 📈 Stand-Up India Scheme
Launched: 2016
Target Audience: SC/ST & Women entrepreneurs
✅ Loan Range: ₹10 lakh – ₹1 crore
✅ Helps start your first business (greenfield projects)
🎯 Why It’s Great: Empowers women and marginalized communities in entrepreneurship.
4. 🧠 Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)
By: NITI Aayog
Aim: Boost school-level, college-level, and professional innovation
✅ Support Includes:
Incubation centres
Atal Tinkering Labs
Seed funding and mentorship
🎯 Why It’s Great: Encourages innovation from the school bench to startups!
5. 🏦 Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE)
By: SIDBI & Ministry of MSME
Purpose: Provide collateral-free loans to startups and MSMEs
✅ Loan limit up to ₹2 crore without security
🎯 Why It’s Great: Many startups struggle with loan security — this solves that.
6. 💼 Support for International Patent Protection in Electronics & IT (SIP-EIT)
By: Ministry of Electronics & IT
Focus: Help Indian tech startups file international patents
✅ Up to ₹15 lakh reimbursement per invention
🎯 Why It’s Great: Helps protect your tech/product globally.
7. 🧪 Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG)
By: BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council)
Target: Early-stage biotech startups
✅ Grant up to ₹50 lakh
✅ Focus on innovations in healthcare, agriculture, and biotech
🎯 Why It’s Great: Boosts research-backed entrepreneurship.
8. 📊 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
✅ Grants & mentorship
✅ 51+ incubation centers across India
🎯 Why It’s Great: Strong tech startup support at grassroots.
9. 🌱 National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI)
By: DST (Department of Science & Technology)
✅ Support for student innovators and early-stage entrepreneurs
✅ Includes pre-incubation, angel funding, and mentoring
🎯 Why It’s Great: Focuses on student innovators and research-to-market ideas.
10. 🌍 Export Promotion Schemes (for Startups Going Global)
By: Ministry of Commerce
Includes:
Market Access Initiative (MAI)
TIES (Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme)
✅ Helps with international trade fairs, logistics, and setup
🎯 Why It’s Great: Supports startups scaling internationally.
🧠 What Should Students Take From This?
| 💡 Learning | 💬 Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Govt is startup-friendly | India is building a strong innovation culture |
| Funding & guidance exist | You don’t need to start rich — just smart |
| Innovation is rewarded | Schemes support tech, biotech, finance, and more |
| Women & rural support exists | Inclusion is a major focus of policies |
🚀 Final Table: At-a-Glance Summary
| 🔢 No. | Scheme Name | Key Benefit | Free or Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | Startup India | Tax exemption, legal ease | Free |
| 2️⃣ | MUDRA Loan | Business loans up to ₹10 lakh | Loan (repay) |
| 3️⃣ | Stand-Up India | Loans for SC/ST & women entrepreneurs | Loan (repay) |
| 4️⃣ | Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) | Innovation labs & funding | Free/Grant |
| 5️⃣ | CGTMSE | Collateral-free loans | Loan |
| 6️⃣ | SIP-EIT | Patent cost reimbursement | Free/Grant |
| 7️⃣ | Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) | ₹50 lakh for biotech startups | Free/Grant |
| 8️⃣ | TIDE 2.0 | Tech startup incubation support | Free/Grant |
| 9️⃣ | NIDHI | Student-focused incubation & funding | Free/Grant |
| 🔟 | Export Promotion Schemes | Support to go global | Subsidy |
💬 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 government’s got your back.
So go ahead — dream big, start small, and let India’s startup ecosystem lift you higher.
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