Stand-Up India Scheme extended till 31 March 2031

11 November 2026 · English Economy & Banking

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Current affairs of 11 November 2026 (Shanmugam IAS Academy) – explained for UPSC, TNPSC and other competitive exams

News

On 11 November 2026 the Union Cabinet approved continuing the Stand-Up India Scheme, which funds new enterprises of women, Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) entrepreneurs, for five years until 31 March 2031. A credit guarantee corpus of ₹4,111 crore will be set up, with the aim of helping at least 2.5 lakh additional entrepreneurs over the next five years. Loans above ₹10 lakh and up to ₹1 crore will be given for new units in manufacturing, services, trading and agri-allied activities, covering up to 85% of project cost. 85% of the loan amount is guaranteed, and the guarantee fee has been standardised at 0.5% with no extra risk premium. Each bank branch is to give on average two loans – one to a woman and one to an SC/ST entrepreneur. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said more than 2.75 lakh women, SC and ST entrepreneurs have received loans since the scheme began in April 2016. Its previous term had ended in March 2025.

Key facts for the exam

Background

• In his Independence Day speech of 15 August 2015 the PM announced 'Start-up India, Stand-up India'. The Cabinet approved the scheme on 6 January 2016, and it was launched at Noida (Uttar Pradesh) on 5 April 2016, Babu Jagjivan Ram's birth anniversary. The Department of Financial Services (DFS) anchors it.
• Initially a ₹10,000 crore refinance window via SIDBI and a credit guarantee mechanism through the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC) were created. Loans are repayable within seven years, and first-generation entrepreneurs get hand-holding before and after the loan.
• Article 46 of the Constitution (a Directive Principle) asks the State to promote with special care the educational and economic interests of SCs, STs and weaker sections and to protect them from social injustice and exploitation. Articles 15(4) and 16(4) enable special provisions.
• PM MUDRA Yojana covers micro loans (up to ₹20 lakh); Stand-Up India covers the next tier of ₹10 lakh–₹1 crore, specifically for new units of women and SC/ST entrepreneurs. Both are tools of financial inclusion.

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Sources: ANI (11 Nov 2026) – aninews.in; UNI (11 Nov 2026) – uniindia.com; Business Standard (6 Jan 2016 Cabinet approval; 5 Apr 2016 IANS launch report) – business-standard.com; News On AIR (16 Mar 2026) – newsonair.gov.in; TAHDCO – theni.nic.in/tahdco; Constitution of India. Compiled by Shanmugam IAS Academy.

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