Stand-Up India in AP is the scheme that gives bank loans of Rs 10 lakh to Rs 1 crore to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and women entrepreneurs in Andhra Pradesh who want to start a new business. It was launched in April 2016 by the central government, and it is still live. This guide explains who can get the loan, what it can be used for, what documents are needed, and how to apply for Stand-Up India in AP.

The loan is for a new business, called a greenfield enterprise. It can be a manufacturing unit, a service unit, a trading unit or an agriculture-allied unit. The bank gives up to 85% of the project cost as a loan, and the borrower brings the remaining 15% as margin money. There is no fee to apply, and you can apply at any bank branch or on the Stand-Up India portal.

What Is Stand-Up India?

Stand-Up India is a central government scheme to help SC, ST and women entrepreneurs start their own businesses. The scheme gives bank loans of Rs 10 lakh to Rs 1 crore for setting up a new enterprise in manufacturing, services, trading or agriculture-allied activities. The aim is to make SC, ST and women entrepreneurs the owners of businesses, not just workers in them.

Each bank branch is expected to give at least one loan to an SC or ST borrower and at least one loan to a woman borrower under the scheme. The loan is given by scheduled commercial banks, and the application can be made at the bank branch or on the Stand-Up India portal at standupmitra.in. The portal also gives training, skill development and marketing support to the borrower.

Stand-Up India is different from MUDRA and PMEGP. MUDRA Loan in AP gives smaller loans of up to Rs 20 lakh without collateral, for any micro or small business. PMEGP in AP gives loans with a subsidy of up to 35% for new units. Stand-Up India gives bigger loans, of Rs 10 lakh to Rs 1 crore, but only to SC, ST and women entrepreneurs, and only for a new business.

Who Can Apply for Stand-Up India in AP?

These conditions apply for Stand-Up India in AP:

• You must be a Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe or woman entrepreneur, aged 18 years or above.
• The loan must be for a new business, called a greenfield enterprise, in manufacturing, services, trading or agriculture-allied activities.
• You must be a resident of Andhra Pradesh, and the business must be set up in Andhra Pradesh.
• You must not have defaulted on any loan from a bank or a financial institution.
• You must have a bank account in your own name, linked to Aadhaar.
• For a loan above Rs 25 lakh, the borrower should have a clear project report and the bank may ask for collateral or a guarantee, as per the bank’s rules.

Both individuals and groups can apply. A woman entrepreneur can apply alone, and a group of women can also apply together. SC and ST entrepreneurs can apply for a business in any sector, including trading. If you belong to another community and want a loan for a small business, MUDRA and PMEGP are open to all communities. For the corporation loans meant for specific communities, see our guides to AP Kapu Corporation Loans and AP ST Corporation Loans.

How Much Loan Does Stand-Up India Give?

Stand-Up India in AP gives a loan of Rs 10 lakh to Rs 1 crore. The loan covers up to 85% of the project cost, and the borrower must bring the remaining 15% as margin money. For example, if the project costs Rs 40 lakh, the bank can give up to Rs 34 lakh as a loan, and the borrower must bring Rs 6 lakh as margin money.

The margin money can come from the borrower’s own savings, or from convergence with other government schemes. For example, the subsidy given under PMEGP can be used as margin money for a Stand-Up India loan, where the rules allow it. Ask the bank about convergence when you apply.

The interest rate is fixed by the bank under the scheme guidelines, and it is linked to the bank’s MCLR plus 3% plus a tenor premium. The loan is repaid in monthly instalments over a period of up to 7 years, with a moratorium period of up to 18 months. A RuPay debit card is also given for the working capital part of the loan, so that the borrower can draw working capital as needed.

Documents Required for Stand-Up India in AP

These documents are needed to apply for Stand-Up India in AP:

• Aadhaar card of the applicant.
• Caste certificate, where the applicant is SC or ST. See how to get a caste certificate in AP.
• Proof of address and proof of identity.
• Bank account passbook in the applicant’s name.
• Project report for the business, with the cost, the expected income and the repayment plan.
• Quotation or estimate for the machinery, equipment or goods to be bought with the loan.
• Proof of the business place, such as a rent agreement or an ownership document.
• Passport-size photograph of the applicant.

All the certificates can be applied for on the MeeSeva portal at meeseva.ap.gov.in. The project report is the most important document for a loan of this size. It must show the cost of the unit, the expected income, the employment to be created and the repayment plan. The bank will check the project report carefully before sanctioning the loan. Keep the originals for verification and give photocopies with the application. Do not give your original certificates or your bank passbook to any agent.

How to Apply for Stand-Up India in AP

Follow these steps to apply for Stand-Up India in AP:

1. Prepare the project report for your business, with the cost, the expected income and the repayment plan.
2. Apply on the Stand-Up India portal at standupmitra.in, or visit the nearest bank branch. You can also apply on the JanSamarth portal at jansamarth.in.
3. Fill in your details, the business details and the loan amount, and upload the documents.
4. The bank will check your application, the project report and your credit history, and may visit the business place.
5. On approval, the bank will sanction the loan and tell you the interest rate, the repayment period and the margin money to be brought.
6. The loan amount is credited to your bank account, or paid directly to the supplier of the machinery or goods.

The District Industries Centre (DIC) in your district can help you prepare the project report and apply for the loan. You can also visit the nearest Village or Ward Secretariat for guidance on the documents. The Andhra Pradesh government’s portal is ap.gov.in, and scheme announcements are made there first.

Frequently Asked Questions About Stand-Up India in AP

How much loan does Stand-Up India in AP give?

Rs 10 lakh to Rs 1 crore, covering up to 85% of the project cost. The borrower must bring 15% as margin money.

Who can apply for Stand-Up India in AP?

SC, ST and women entrepreneurs aged 18 or above, for a new business in manufacturing, services, trading or agriculture-allied activities in Andhra Pradesh.

Is Stand-Up India still running in 2026?

Yes. Stand-Up India was launched in April 2016 and is still live. You can apply at any bank branch or on the Stand-Up India portal at standupmitra.in.

What is the interest rate for a Stand-Up India loan?

The interest rate is fixed by the bank under the scheme guidelines, linked to the bank’s MCLR plus 3% plus a tenor premium. Ask the bank for the exact rate when you apply.

What is the difference between Stand-Up India, MUDRA and PMEGP?

Stand-Up India gives Rs 10 lakh to Rs 1 crore, only to SC, ST and women entrepreneurs, for a new business. MUDRA gives up to Rs 20 lakh to any small business, without collateral. PMEGP gives loans with a subsidy of up to 35% for new manufacturing and service units, and it is open to all communities.

Final Word

Stand-Up India in AP gives SC, ST and women entrepreneurs a chance to start a business with a bank loan of Rs 10 lakh to Rs 1 crore, covering up to 85% of the project cost. The scheme is live, and you can apply at any bank branch or on the Stand-Up India portal. Prepare a clear project report, keep your documents ready, and ask the bank about the interest rate and the margin money before you apply. For other scheme updates and payment news, see our roundup of Andhra Pradesh schemes in August 2026.

Last updated: November 2026