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Specialist Advisor

Published on: Sep 17, 2026

Nari Arthik Sashaktikaran Yojana

The National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC) has launched the Nari Arthik Sashaktikaran Yojana to empower single women or divorcees who wish to pursue income-generating activities. This initiative aims to provide financial assistance to economically underprivileged Scheduled Castes (SC) families living below the poverty line, enhancing their economic status and supporting skill development. In this article, we explore the details and benefits of the Nari Arthik Sashaktikaran Yojana.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible candidates for the Nari Arthik Sashaktikaran Yojana include:

  • Scheduled Castes individuals.
  • Families earning below the poverty line—below Rs. 98,000 per annum in rural areas and Rs. 1,20,000 in urban areas.
  • Women who are widows, divorcees, single mothers, or single women over 35 years old.
  • Applicants between the ages of 25-50 years.
  • Women registered under the Widow Pension Scheme meeting the above conditions.

Note: Eligible candidates can access financial assistance through any of NSFDC’s schemes based on the prescribed unit cost.

Unit Cost

Eligible applicants can obtain financial aid under NSFDC’s various schemes, aligned with the preset unit costs. For further business guidance, consider understanding GST penalties to manage compliance efficiently.

Quantum of Assistance

The NSFDC is committed to offering loans to economically disadvantaged SC communities to foster economic growth. Beneficiaries selected for financial assistance receive aid under the National Loan Scheme, complemented by the Special Central Assistance to the Special Component Plans for SCs. The financial aid includes a subsidy up to Rs.10,000 or 50% of the unit cost, whichever is less. Beneficiaries can also enhance their skills through NSFDC’s Skill Training Programme, facilitated at reputable institutions to promote vocational and entrepreneurial development.

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Loan Amount

  • The Special Central Assistance (SCA) offers a 2% grant on the loan amount for ‘handholding activity,’ not exceeding Rs. 4000 per unit.
  • Beneficiaries can seek additional assistance for business expansion after two years, contingent on regular loan repayment.

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Interest Rates

Under the Nari Arthik Sashaktikaran Yojana (NASY), NSFDC charges a modest interest rate of 1% per annum. Consequently, SCAs charge a 4% annual rate from beneficiaries. Understanding the registration requirements in Maharashtra might be useful for businesses intending to expand or establish their units in the region.

Repayment Period

The loan under NASY must be repaid in quarterly installments within a maximum period of 10 years, inclusive of a moratorium period ranging from 3 to 24 months, depending on the nature of the scheme. For those managing or establishing organizations, a 12A registration for NGOs could be essential for financial management and benefits.

Entrepreneurs looking to sustain their businesses might benefit from producer company registration to legitimize and expand their business operations.

Women from varied backgrounds, including unmarried individuals above 35 years, widows, and divorcees, can leverage this scheme to develop their vocational skills. Aspiring entrepreneurs can also gain insights from a goat farming business plan to create comprehensive strategies for new ventures.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Nari Arthik Sashaktikaran Yojana.

The Nari Arthik Sashaktikaran Yojana is a scheme initiated by the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC) to support single women, divorcees, or widows who take up income-generating activities. It aims to finance the economic empowerment of persons belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) families living below the poverty line and ensure their skill upgradation.
To be eligible for the Nari Arthik Sashaktikaran Yojana, the applicant must belong to the Scheduled Castes, with an annual family income below the poverty line limit (Rs. 98,000 in rural areas and Rs. 1,20,000 in urban areas). The applicant must be a widow, divorcee, single mother, or single woman aged above 35 years, and between 25-50 years old.
The NSFDC provides loans to economically poor sections of Scheduled Castes to promote and improve their economic development activities. Eligible beneficiaries can receive a subsidy of up to Rs. 10,000 or 50% of the unit cost, whichever is less, under the National Loan Scheme of NSFDC Loan Policy.
The loan amount is determined based on the unit cost prescribed for the specific NSFDC scheme the applicant is eligible for. Additionally, the State Channelizing Agencies (SCAs) will provide a grant of 2% of the loan amount, subject to a maximum of Rs. 4,000 per unit, for handholding activities.
The NSFDC charges a moderate interest rate of 1% per annum from the applicants under the Nari Arthik Sashaktikaran Yojana. The SCAs, in turn, will charge 4% per annum from the beneficiaries.
The loan under the Nari Arthik Sashaktikaran Yojana must be repaid in quarterly installments within a maximum period of 10 years, including a moratorium period. The moratorium period can range from 3 months to 24 months, depending on the nature of the scheme.
Yes, the beneficiaries covered under the Nari Arthik Sashaktikaran Yojana are eligible to avail further assistance for expanding their business after 2 years of receiving the first loan, provided they have maintained regular repayment.
Yes, the selected beneficiaries under the Nari Arthik Sashaktikaran Yojana can also be considered for assistance under NSFDC's Skill Training Programme to undergo various vocational and entrepreneurial development training in reputed institutions.
The annual family income of the applicant should be below the poverty line limit, which is prescribed as up to Rs. 98,000 in rural areas and up to Rs. 1,20,000 in urban areas.
Yes, women registered under the Widow Pension Scheme who meet the eligibility conditions mentioned for the Nari Arthik Sashaktikaran Yojana, such as belonging to Scheduled Castes and falling below the prescribed income limit, are also eligible for loans under the scheme.