Role of the Stand-Up India Scheme in Promoting Women Entrepreneurship and Empowerment – Sept 2025

Author: Vishwakarma N. R.*
Research Scholar
Post Graduate Research Centre in Economics,
H.P.T. Arts, R.Y.K. Sciences College, Nashik.
Kadam S.B.**
Research Guide,
Professor and Vice Principal,
B.Y.K. College of Commerce, Nashik.

Abstract:

Women entrepreneurship is an important key to inclusive and sustainable economic development in India. Nevertheless, limited access to funding has historically limited women’s engagement in business and enterprise growth. In an effort to bridge the gap, the Government of India introduced the Stand-Up India (SUI) Scheme in 2016 with the target of promoting institutional credit to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and women entrepreneurs. The present study specifically analyses the contribution of the scheme towards women’s entrepreneurship and empowerment by analysing secondary data ranging from 2020–21 to 2024–25. Year-wise sanctioned accounts and sanctioned amounts of loans indicate a steady rise, and women beneficiaries demonstrate significant growth in both account numbers and sanctioned loan amounts. The reports note that women-owned accounts rose from 85,955 in 2020–21 to 234,255 in 2024–25 and the sanctioned loan amount went up from ₹19,594.27 crore to ₹56,701 crore for the same period. The trends indicate the enhanced role of the Stand-Up India Scheme in filling the gender financing gap and providing opportunities for women becoming independent entrepreneurs. The findings indicate that the scheme not only increased financial inclusion but also served as a driver for women’s empowerment, leading to economic independence and inclusive development.

Keywords: Stand-Up India Scheme, Women Entrepreneurship, Empowerment, Financial Inclusion

DOI: 10.65282/sjrl.vo.1.issue.02.012