Know all about the application, subsidy, PMEGP interest rate, eligibility and much more.
Are you looking for financial assistance to start your business? The Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) offers loans to aspiring entrepreneurs, making it easier to establish micro-enterprises. With attractive subsidies and simple eligibility criteria, the PMEGP loan is ideal for anyone seeking to kickstart their entrepreneurial dreams.
In this article, you’ll discover:
What PMEGP is and how it works.
Eligibility criteria and application process.
Benefits, interest rates, and other key details about PMEGP loans.
The Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) is a government-backed scheme launched to promote self-employment. It provides financial assistance to individuals and small businesses to set up non-farm micro-enterprises. This scheme is implemented by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) in collaboration with banks across India.
Here are the highlights covering the PMEGP loan details:
PMEGP Loan Details |
|
Interest Rate |
As per prevailing bank rates |
Age Criteria |
Must be at least 18 years of age |
Subsidy on Project |
From 15% to 35% |
Repayment Tenure |
3 to 7 years after a preliminary moratorium |
Subsidy Support
Rural Areas: 25%-35% of the project cost.
Urban Areas: 15%-25% of the project cost.
Loan Limits
Manufacturing Sector: Up to ₹50 lakh.
Service Sector: Up to ₹20 lakh.
Interest Rates
Generally ranges between 11% and 12%, based on the bank's terms.
Collateral-Free Loans
Projects costing up to ₹10 lakh are exempt from collateral under RBI guidelines.
Tenure and Repayment
Flexible repayment options with a tenure of 3 to 7 years, depending on the loan type.
The PMEGP scheme offers numerous benefits, making it an attractive option for entrepreneurs:
Government-Backed Security: Loans under PMEGP are supported by the Government of India, ensuring safety for banks and ease of access for applicants.
High Subsidy: Reduce your repayment burden with subsidies ranging from 15% to 35%.
Encourages Local Businesses: PMEGP promotes entrepreneurship in rural and urban areas, reducing migration to cities.
Comprehensive Coverage: Finance for both working capital and fixed capital requirements.
Special Support: Encourages traditional artisans and marginalized groups to build sustainable income.
The PMEGP scheme allows beneficiaries to pay a minimum portion of the cost of the project while applying for subsidies on the loans taken from banks that have been linked to the scheme. The subsidy under this scheme is known as margin money, and it is decided based on the category and geographical area where the applicant is based. Here are the subsidy rates that can be accessed under the PMEGP scheme:
Beneficiary Categories |
Beneficiary’s Share (of Total Project) |
Subsidy Rate (from Govt.) – Urban |
Subsidy Rate (from Govt.) – Rural |
General |
10% |
15% |
25% |
Special |
5% |
25% |
35% |
The loan limit available under the PMEGP scheme is ₹50 Lakhs. In the manufacturing sector, the maximum project cost has been set at ₹50 Lakhs. In the business or service sector, this limit is capped at ₹20 Lakhs. For both, the special and general beneficiary of the scheme is required to contribute 5% and 10% of the amount, respectively. Meanwhile, the bank pays the remaining 95% and 90% of the amount, respectively.
On the other hand, existing manufacturing units can get additional funding of up to ₹1 Crore under this scheme. Similarly, existing service and trading companies are eligible for extra funding of up to ₹25 Lakhs, as per the regulations of PMEGP.
Before applying for a PMEGP loan, ensure you meet these requirements:
Who Can Apply?
Indian residents aged 18 or older.
Must have passed at least 8th standard for projects exceeding ₹10 lakh (manufacturing) or ₹5 lakh (service).
Eligible Entities
Self-help groups (excluding BPL SHGs).
Institutions like co-operative societies, charitable trusts, and societies registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
Ineligible Applicants
Existing businesses that have availed benefits from other government schemes.
Non-resident Indians (NRIs), trusts, and partnerships.
Below we have tabulated the leading financial institutions that support funding assistance as part of the PMEGP scheme.
IDFC First Bank |
Bank of Baroda |
Indian Bank |
Bank of India |
Federal Bank |
Canara Bank |
Punjab National Bank |
Central Bank of India |
IDBI Bank |
HDFC Bank |
UCO Bank |
ICICI Bank Ltd. |
Union Bank of India |
Axis Bank Ltd. |
For the PMEGP scheme list, please visit the official website of PMEGP.
The PMEGP loan application process is straightforward:
Visit the official PMEGP e-portal and register using your Aadhaar and PAN card.
Upload the required documents, including:
Aadhaar and PAN card.
Caste or special category certificates (if applicable).
Educational qualification certificates.
A detailed project report.
Choose a bank or financial institution for loan disbursal.
The bank evaluates your application and project viability before approving the loan.
The PMEGP loan interest rate varies between 11% and 12%, depending on the lending bank. The loan structure includes:
Margin Contribution: Applicants must contribute 5%-10% of the project cost.
Subsidy Component: The government covers 15%-35% through subsidies.
Bank Loan: The remaining portion is financed by banks, covering up to 90%-95% of the cost.
Ensure you have the following documents when applying:
Aadhaar and PAN card.
Educational certificates (minimum 8th standard pass).
Special category certificates for SC/ST/OBC.
Rural area certificate (if applicable).
Detailed project report.
Skill development or training certificate (if available).
Here’s why the PMEGP loan is a smart choice for entrepreneurs:
Low Financial Burden: High subsidies reduce the repayment amount.
Ease of Access: Available through multiple banks, including public sector banks, private banks, and regional rural banks.
Boosts Self-Employment: Empowers individuals to start their businesses in rural and urban areas.
Collateral-Free Option: No security required for loans up to ₹10 lakh.
While PMEGP loans offer significant advantages, they also have some limitations:
Lengthy Approval Process: Loan approvals may take time due to document verification and project evaluation.
No Tax Benefits: Unlike other schemes, PMEGP loans do not provide tax exemptions.
Fixed Subsidy Rates: The subsidy amount is predetermined and may not cover all costs.
The PMEGP loan is a powerful tool for aspiring entrepreneurs to build their dreams. With its high subsidies, flexible terms, and wide coverage, it ensures a seamless path to self-employment.
If you're ready to start your entrepreneurial journey, apply for a PMEGP loan today and make your business aspirations a reality!
For more details, visit the official PMEGP portal or contact your nearest bank branch.
The collateral requirement under the PMEGP scheme is subjective. There is no collateral required if the project cost is less than ₹10 Lakhs under the PMEGP scheme. CGTMSE provides a collateral guarantee for projects beyond ₹5 Lakhs as part of the PMEGP scheme.
The PMEGP subsidy is a credit-linked subsidy that the Government of India offers. As part of the subsidy, beneficiaries receive a subsidy of anywhere from 15% to 35% of the project's total cost. Individuals and MSMEs across the country can get the subsidy.
The interest rate applied on the PMEGP loan varies from lender to lender.
No, the PMEGP loan scheme allows only one unit per borrower.
Activities like manufacturing, service, and business enterprises aimed at generating self-employment opportunities through the establishment of micro-enterprises in both rural and urban areas are covered under PMEGP.