What this scheme offers
A single woman — unmarried, divorced, abandoned, widowed, or living with a disability — often has neither a partner's income to fall back on nor easy access to the credit a bank would extend to someone with more conventional collateral or co-signers. This scheme gives up to ₹2 lakh to start a business, with 75% as an outright grant and just 25% required as the woman's own contribution — a structure designed to make starting a business genuinely achievable rather than requiring the kind of upfront capital that shuts most single women out. Approved in March 2025 and announced by Women Empowerment Minister Rekha Arya as an early Women's Day gift, it targeted at least 2,000 women in its first phase.
Who is eligible
- Single woman resident of Uttarakhand — unmarried, divorced, abandoned, widowed, or differently-abled.
- Proposing a viable small business or self-employment activity.
- Able to contribute the required 25% share of the project cost.
Documents required
- Aadhaar card
- Residential proof (Uttarakhand domicile)
- Proof of marital/family status (divorce decree, widow certificate, abandonment declaration, or disability certificate, as applicable)
- Business plan/project proposal
- Bank account details
How to apply
- Apply through the Department of Women Empowerment and Child Development's district office or designated portal.
- Submit your business proposal along with identity and status-proof documents.
- Applications are evaluated for project viability at the district level.
- On approval, the 75% grant is disbursed alongside your 25% contribution to start the business.
- Check with your district office for the current application window, as the scheme processes applications in phases.