Subsidy Schemes 6 min readAugust 1, 2026

CGTMSE vs MUDRA vs Stand-Up India: Which Government Scheme Is Right for Your MSME?

Three of the biggest government-backed loan schemes — CGTMSE, MUDRA, and Stand-Up India — help MSMEs get funding without collateral. Here's a plain-English comparison so you know which one to apply for.

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Ashirwad Advisory Team

Ashirwad Consultancy, Ahmedabad

CGTMSE vs MUDRA vs Stand-Up India: Which Government Scheme Is Right for Your MSME?

1The Confusion: Three Major MSME Loan Schemes, Which One Applies?

The Government of India runs multiple credit-support schemes to help MSMEs and first-generation entrepreneurs access loans without pledging collateral. The three most-used are CGTMSE, MUDRA (Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana), and Stand-Up India. They sound similar but serve very different borrowers. Choosing the right one saves months of back-and-forth. Here's a clear side-by-side breakdown.


2CGTMSE — For Established Micro and Small Enterprises

CGTMSE (Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro & Small Enterprises) provides guarantee cover on loans up to ₹5 Crore to Micro and Small units. The government guarantees the loan so banks lend without collateral. Best for: existing MSMEs with 1+ years vintage, Udyam-registered, needing significant funding (₹25 Lakhs+) for machinery, working capital, or expansion. Interest rates: 10.5%–13%. Applicable across all sectors. This is the workhorse scheme for serious MSME funding.


3MUDRA — For Micro Enterprises and Small Businesses

PM Mudra Yojana offers three loan categories: Shishu (up to ₹50,000), Kishore (₹50,001 to ₹5 Lakhs), Tarun (₹5 Lakhs to ₹10 Lakhs). Under new Tarun Plus, extended up to ₹20 Lakhs. MUDRA loans are unsecured, disbursed by all commercial banks, RRBs, and NBFCs. Best for: micro enterprises, shopkeepers, artisans, small manufacturers, service providers, and first-time borrowers needing smaller ticket sizes. Interest rates: 8.5%–14% depending on lender and category. Application is simple — often just Aadhaar, PAN, and basic business proof.


4Stand-Up India — For Women & SC/ST Entrepreneurs

Stand-Up India specifically targets underrepresented entrepreneurs. It provides bank loans of ₹10 Lakhs to ₹1 Crore to at least one Woman entrepreneur and one SC/ST entrepreneur per bank branch, for setting up a greenfield enterprise in manufacturing, services, or trading. Loans are typically composite (term + working capital), tenure up to 7 years, moratorium up to 18 months. Applicable to first-time entrepreneurs only — not existing units.


5Quick Comparison Table

Loan Size: CGTMSE up to ₹5 Cr | MUDRA up to ₹20 Lakhs | Stand-Up India ₹10 Lakhs to ₹1 Cr. Who: CGTMSE — established Micro/Small units | MUDRA — micro enterprises and first-timers | Stand-Up India — Women, SC, ST entrepreneurs setting up new units. Collateral: All three are collateral-free. Application Complexity: CGTMSE — moderate (Udyam, ITR, GST needed) | MUDRA — simple (basic KYC) | Stand-Up India — moderate (project report needed). Interest Rate: CGTMSE 10.5%–13% | MUDRA 8.5%–14% | Stand-Up India base rate + 3% max.


6How to Decide Which Scheme Is Right for You

If you're a first-time entrepreneur setting up small (loan under ₹10 Lakhs): apply for MUDRA. If you're a woman, SC, or ST entrepreneur setting up new manufacturing/services (loan ₹10 Lakhs to ₹1 Cr): apply for Stand-Up India. If you're an established MSME (1+ year vintage) needing significant funding (₹25 Lakhs+): apply for CGTMSE. Some MSMEs can leverage more than one — e.g., a startup MUDRA loan for initial setup, then a CGTMSE loan a year later for expansion.


7Getting the Right Scheme Approved

The application process differs materially across the three schemes, and the bank you approach matters — not every branch handles all three well. Ashirwad Consultancy handles Udyam registration, scheme identification, lender selection, and end-to-end application follow-up. Whether you're eligible for one scheme or a combination, we make sure you get the right loan at the best possible rate. Free consultation: WhatsApp 97146 31847.

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