The number of women-owned businesses has immensely increased in past few years. Thanks to the initiatives taken by the government and private banks to encourage Indian females for achieving success in the corporate world. Here we have a list of schemes and loan programmes from which businesswomen of India are getting benefits.

1. Bharatiya Mahila Bank Business Loan

Bharatiya Mahila Bank is the is formed with the vision of economic empowerment for women in India. The bank provides support to women by giving loans at a very low rate of interest. The maximum loan amount this bank provides Rs.20 crores for women working in the manufacturing industry.

2. Mahila Udyam Nidhi Scheme

This Punjab National Bank scheme grants loans for women working in the small-scale industry. The loan is passed for opening beauty parlours, day care centres, purchasing vehicles for business purpose. The maximum amount given under this scheme is Rs 10 lakhs and the interest is variable according to market rates.

3. Dena Shakti Scheme

Dena Bank offers this scheme for helping women entrepreneurs in agriculture, manufacturing, micro-credit, retail stores, or small enterprises. The maximum amount of loan provided under this scheme varies according to the directives of RBI in different sectors.

4. Udyogini Scheme

Udyogini Scheme was started by Government of Karnataka in the year 1997-98 to assist women in gaining self-employment. This scheme is offered by Punjab & Sind Bank with the maximum loan limit of Rs.1,00,000 for the women in the age group of 18-45 years.

5. Stree Shakti Package

Run by the State Bank of India (SBI), this scheme provides loans of up to Rs 5 lakh to women for doing business. An interest rate of as low as 0.5 percent is charged if the loan exceeds Rs 2 lakh. In order to qualify this scheme, more than 50 percent share should be named on the woman who applies for the loan.

6. Annapurna Scheme

Started by State Bank of Mysore, this scheme grants loans to women entrepreneurs in starting small businesses in the food catering industry. The maximum amount loan under this scheme is Rs.50,000 which can be used to fulfil the working capital requirements like buying utensils and other equipment.

7. Orient Mahila Vikas Yojana Scheme

Offered by Oriental Bank of Commerce, this scheme provides a loan to women for starting small businesses in India. A concession of 2 percent on the rate of interest is offered to women. The time period for paying this loan is 7 years.