In a major step toward empowering women in business, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced a new scheme offering collateral-free loans of up to ₹10 crore for entrepreneurs, with a special focus on women-led enterprises.
The initiative, unveiled at the launch of a report titled “Enhancing Female Entrepreneurs in the MSME Sector in India” by the Pahle India Foundation, seeks to address one of the biggest barriers for women in entrepreneurship — access to affordable credit.
“With this scheme, our entrepreneurs can achieve their goals through their ideas and hard work, supported by the government,” said Gupta, stressing that economic empowerment of women is essential for sustainable and inclusive development.
Bridging the credit gap for women entrepreneurs
The Delhi government’s new initiative complements existing national schemes that have helped women launch and scale their businesses. These include:
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The Annapurna Scheme, which provides loans up to ₹50,000 for women in food and catering businesses.
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The Mudra Yojana, which offers collateral-free loans up to ₹10 lakh.
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The Udyogini Scheme, which provides up to ₹1 lakh for women entrepreneurs with low annual incomes.
By combining these measures with Delhi’s collateral-free facility, the initiative aims to strengthen women’s participation in the MSME ecosystem, helping them move from micro to medium-scale operations.
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Driving inclusive entrepreneurship
Gupta highlighted that women’s participation in India’s workforce remains below potential, and improving financial inclusion can drive both productivity and innovation. “Women entrepreneurs bring new perspectives, build resilient communities, and contribute to India’s economic transformation,” she said.
The Delhi government’s scheme will streamline loan applications, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and ensure equitable access to financial support for first-time women entrepreneurs. It will also encourage partnerships between banks, NBFCs, and digital lending platforms to increase outreach.
Empowering through policy and innovation
The initiative aligns with India’s broader goal of strengthening women-led development under the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. By expanding access to capital and providing policy-level support, the Delhi government seeks to make entrepreneurship a viable path for women across sectors — from manufacturing and retail to technology and services.
This announcement reaffirms Delhi’s commitment to promoting gender-balanced growth, job creation, and a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem built on innovation, equity, and opportunity.