What Is the Udyam Shakti Scheme?
The Udyam Shakti Scheme is a government-backed initiative to support women entrepreneurs who have registered their businesses as MSMEs (Udyam registered) or are planning to start one. The scheme provides holistic support across business planning, incubation, marketing, training, and mentorship with an aim to enable women to start, sustain, and scale their enterprises.
This initiative is part of a larger ecosystem of women-centric entrepreneurship support programmes under various ministries and platforms, including the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) and MSME policies that specifically prioritise women's participation in industry growth.
Objectives of the Udyam Shakti Scheme
The scheme is built around empowering women entrepreneurs through structured, practical support.
Business Planning & Incubation
Professional support for business planning and incubation facilities
Mentorship & Training
Critical entrepreneurial skills development with expert guidance
Marketing & Brand Building
Strategies for market access and brand visibility
Financial Project Support
Up to ₹10 lakh to implement business ideas and growth strategies
This structured approach bridges the gap between entrepreneurial ambition and actionable business execution — addressing common challenges women face such as access to capital, expertise, and business networks.
Key Benefits of the Scheme
Financial Support Up to ₹10 Lakh
Project funding to implement business plans without heavy personal investment upfront.
Under the Udyam Shakti Scheme, women entrepreneurs can receive project support of up to ₹10 lakh. This funding helps implement business plans, set up operations, invest in technology or equipment, or build capacity.
Business Planning and Mentorship
Structured support for creating actionable business strategies.
The scheme provides access to structured business planning support which includes:
- Preparing realistic financial models
- Identifying market opportunities
- Planning operational processes
- Mentorship from experienced professionals
Training and Skill Development
Comprehensive training modules for business success.
Women entrepreneurs can access training modules focused on:
Marketing and Market Access Support
Build brand visibility and access wider markets.
Marketing support helps women-led MSMEs build brand visibility, create marketing strategies tailored to their customer segments, and access wider markets — including digital platforms and government procurement avenues (GeM).
Mentorship Through the Business Lifecycle
Support from startup to scaling — not just initial stages.
The scheme focuses not just on startup ideas but also on scaling businesses. Mentoring experts guide entrepreneurs from inception through growth stages, identifying blockers and suggesting strategic adjustments. Learn more about growth strategies in our MSME Growth Roadmap.
Who Is Eligible for the Udyam Shakti Scheme?
Female Entrepreneurs
Women business owners who have registered their company as an MSME under the Udyam Registration system or are in the process of formalising their businesses.
Business Formalisation
To access scheme benefits, women must ensure their enterprise is registered under Udyam MSME at udyamregistration.gov.in.
Growth-Oriented Venture
The business should demonstrate a growth plan — whether in marketing, product development, service expansion, or capacity upgrade.
How to Make the Most of the Scheme
Complete Udyam Registration
Ensure your business is formally registered under Udyam MSME — this unlocks scheme eligibility and access to other government benefits like collateral-free loans and subsidies.
Learn about registrationPrepare a Clear Business Plan
A solid business plan increases your chances of receiving project support. Outline your goals, market strategy, financial projections, and how you intend to use the grant.
Engage in Training and Mentorship
Participate actively in mentorship sessions and training modules to improve managerial skills and business credibility.
Leverage Digital Tools
Adopt digital solutions for accounting, compliance, marketing, and customer engagement — this helps improve efficiency and readiness for scaling up.
Digital tools guideNetwork and Market Smartly
Use scheme-backed support for marketing outreach and connect with buyers through digital marketplaces and procurement platforms.
Why Schemes Like Udyam Shakti Matter
Women-owned businesses often face unique challenges that dedicated support programs address:
Dedicated support like the Udyam Shakti Scheme addresses these hurdles by offering financial support and strategic guidance, making entrepreneurship more equitable and productive.
Additionally, the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) provides training, mentorship, and access to various other schemes and programmes.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need to be an MSME already registered to apply for Udyam Shakti?
Yes. Eligibility generally requires that your business be formally registered under Udyam MSME.
2. What kind of support does the scheme provide?
The scheme offers assistance with business planning, incubation, marketing, training, mentorship, and project support up to ₹10 lakh.
3. Is the support provided as a loan or grant?
Support under this scheme is typically project-based financial assistance; confirm the exact nature based on official guidelines for the application year.
4. Can male entrepreneurs benefit indirectly?
While specifically targeted at women entrepreneurs, male partners in women-led businesses benefit indirectly through overall business growth.
5. Where can I find details about application processes and updates?
Official government portals, Udyam registration site, and the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) offer updated information and guidelines.
Conclusion
The Udyam Shakti Scheme is more than just a funding programme — it's a comprehensive empowerment initiative designed to help women convert business ideas into sustainable and scalable enterprises.
By combining financial support with mentorship, training, and market access, the scheme aims to create more self-reliant, competitive, and confident women entrepreneurs across India.
If you are a woman entrepreneur or planning to start your MSME journey, the Udyam Shakti Scheme can be a powerful catalyst — offering not only monetary support but practical, long-term business guidance.
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