Top Government Schemes to Support Women Entrepreneurs in 2025

Imagine a world where women are no longer just playing a supporting role in businesses but are leading the charge, creating billion-dollar companies, and innovating industries. Sounds like a distant dream? Not anymore. From women running successful home-grown clothing brands to breaking glass ceilings as CEOs of top eCommerce companies, the scenarios for women entrepreneurs have changed drastically in recent years. What was once considered a male-dominated business world is now being reshaped by fierce, visionary female entrepreneurs.

And guess what? This transformation is only just beginning. Thanks to India’s powerful government schemes for business, more women are stepping into the business world with confidence, armed with the resources and support they need to succeed.

With these schemes, you can concentrate on what you do best – building your business – while leaving the complexities of eCommerce shipping and logistics to us. If you’re a woman entrepreneur with a business idea or ambition, 2025 could be the year you turn that vision into reality. Here’s how the government is helping women like never before.

Role of Women in India’s Economy

Women have always played a central role in the Indian economy, contributing significantly to agriculture, education, healthcare, and more. However, their role in formal business and entrepreneurship has often been overlooked. With the advent of social change and more access to education and resources, female entrepreneurs are now actively taking charge of businesses, large and small.

Recognising the need for gender inclusivity in economic activities, the Indian government has introduced numerous government schemes for business that create an ecosystem to nurture women-led businesses. Women entrepreneurs not only boost the economy but also empower communities, promote sustainability, and create jobs for other women.

Read More: Top Women-Led Startups for Inspiration in 2025

Government Schemes to Watch in 2025

To support female entrepreneurs, the Indian government has launched various initiatives to promote inclusivity and reduce the gender gap in business. These government schemes for business are designed to make entrepreneurship accessible, especially for those from underserved regions or economic backgrounds.

Udyogini Scheme

The Udyogini Scheme is one of the most impactful initiatives for women entrepreneurs in India. Its primary goal is to empower women by offering financial assistance to start or expand businesses, especially in rural areas. The scheme targets women from economically weaker sections, providing loans at concessional rates to help them enter various industries. Whether it’s manufacturing, services, or trade, this scheme helps create a foundation for women to build successful businesses.

Stand Up India Scheme

The Stand Up India Scheme is tailored to women, Scheduled Castes (SC), and Scheduled Tribes (ST) entrepreneurs. The scheme provides loans ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore to help establish businesses in the manufacturing, services, and trading sectors. Its main objective is to promote financial independence among underrepresented groups and foster entrepreneurship in communities that traditionally have limited access to funding and business resources.

Annapurna Scheme

For women interested in the food business, the Annapurna Scheme offers a unique opportunity to grow their ventures. This scheme provides loans of up to ₹50,000 to women entrepreneurs for purchasing equipment and raw materials necessary for setting up food-based businesses. It supports women in the food industry, contributing not only to their financial independence but also to the growth of India’s food sector.

Mudra Yojana Scheme

The Mudra Yojana Scheme is one of the most well-known government initiatives for women entrepreneurs. It offers collateral-free loans to small businesses under three categories—Shishu (up to ₹50,000), Kishor (₹50,000 to ₹5 lakh), and Tarun (₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh). The scheme is designed to help women entrepreneurs in the MSME sector and provides a pathway to financial stability and business growth.

Mahila Udyam Nidhi Scheme

Offered by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), the Mahila Udyam Nidhi Scheme is another excellent initiative aimed at women entrepreneurs. This scheme provides financial assistance of up to ₹10 lakh to women who want to start or expand their businesses. With flexible repayment options, this scheme is ideal for women in the MSME sector who are looking to scale their operations and innovate.

Pradhan Mantri Rozgar Yojana (PMRY)

The Pradhan Mantri Rozgar Yojana (PMRY) offers financial assistance to unemployed women who wish to start their own businesses. Loans of up to ₹2 lakh are provided for businesses in manufacturing, trade, or services. The scheme helps women become self-sufficient by enabling them to generate employment opportunities for themselves and others. This initiative is a critical step toward addressing unemployment and fostering entrepreneurship among women.

Mahila Coir Yojana

Focusing on rural women, the Mahila Coir Yojana helps women entrepreneurs establish coir-based industries. Women can receive financial assistance for purchasing equipment and training to produce coir products. By promoting self-employment in rural areas, this scheme not only empowers women but also boosts local economies and helps preserve traditional crafts.

TREAD Scheme (Trade Related Entrepreneurship Assistance and Development)

The TREAD Scheme is specifically designed to support women entrepreneurs from economically weaker sections. Through this scheme, women receive financial assistance, skill development programs, and counseling to help them establish and grow their businesses. The TREAD Scheme ensures the sustainable growth of women-led enterprises by providing them with the tools and support they need to succeed.

Women-Led Business Impact

The influence of women entrepreneurs on India’s economy is monumental and growing steadily. These female entrepreneurs are not only breaking barriers but also creating significant employment and driving innovation across sectors.

Over 27 million people are employed by women-led ventures in India. As of 2025, around 15.7 million women-run businesses exist, accounting for 22% of India’s entrepreneurial landscape. With continued support from government schemes for business, this number is expected to soar to 30 million soon.

This growth is more than a number- it represents reduced gender disparity, financial independence, and new opportunities for future generations. Women entrepreneurs are moving beyond traditional roles and making strides in areas like technology, green energy, education, and eCommerce.

By enabling women to become business leaders, India is not just fostering innovation- it’s building a more inclusive, resilient, and prosperous economy.

The Bottom Line

The entrepreneurial spirit among women in India is stronger than ever. With an increasing number of government schemes for business, female entrepreneurs are finding it easier to access funding, resources, and support to launch and grow their ventures.

If you’re a woman entrepreneur looking to make your mark, there’s no better time than now. Armed with the right support, mentorship, and financial backing, the next big idea could very well come from you.

Start your journey today!