<h1>Stand-Up India Scheme sanctions Rs 29,000 crore loans to SC/ST women entrepreneurs across 126,508 accounts</h1> The Stand-Up India Scheme, launched in April 2016, provides loans between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 1 crore to SC/ST and women entrepreneurs through Scheduled Commercial Banks for establishing greenfield enterprises in manufacturing, services, trading, and agriculture-allied activities. Each bank branch must provide loans to at least one SC/ST borrower and one woman borrower. The scheme offers loans at competitive rates not exceeding base rate MCLR+3%+tenor premium, with seven-year repayment periods and up to 18 months moratorium. Beyond financial support, the scheme provides institutional assistance through an online portal offering guidance, training, mentorship, and connections to skill centers and entrepreneurship development programs. From April 2022 to March 2025, the scheme sanctioned approximately Rs 29,000 crore across 126,508 loan accounts, benefiting 30,145 SC borrowers, 9,625 ST borrowers, and 86,738 women entrepreneurs. This information was provided by the Finance Minister in Parliament.