SBB480

Samridhi Fund

6.6/10

The Samridhi Fund is a ₹430 crore social venture capital fund aimed at supporting economically viable startups that provide market access for the poor and have a social impact. Eligible enterprises must focus on expanding operations in specific Indian states and adhere to strict guidelines excluding illegal activities and harmful businesses.

Central

States / UT: All India

Ministry / nodal: Public Sector Enterprise

Nodal department: SIDBI

Scheme for: Startups

Scheme profile

DBT (direct benefit transfer): No

Target beneficiaries: Startups

Tags: startups, Social Enterprises

Details

Brief

The Samridhi Fund is an approx. ₹430 crore social venture capital fund. SIDBI has envisaged the creation of the Samridhi Fund to provide capital to social enterprises which can deliver both financial and social returns, in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and West Bengal.

Eligibility

  • The conditions necessary for getting funded are as follows:
  • Be economically viable Provide access to markets for the poor Be socially relevant and impact the poor as customers, producers, or employees The enterprises must have plans to expand operations in any or all the following states – Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Rajasthan Increase the flow of capital to the above-mentioned states Focus on Environment, Social and Governance matters Samridhi will not invest in any of the following businesses or activities: Illegal or banned activities, including child labor Businesses dealing with hazardous chemicals, asbestos, pesticides, and wastes; ozone-depleting substances; and endangered or protected wildlife or wildlife products. Arms and ammunition Companies that have been proven to be involved in fraud and corruption.

Benefits

  • ₹430 crore social venture capital fund

Eligibility

  • The conditions necessary for getting funded are as follows:
  • Be economically viable Provide access to markets for the poor Be socially relevant and impact the poor as customers, producers, or employees The enterprises must have plans to expand operations in any or all the following states – Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Rajasthan Increase the flow of capital to the above-mentioned states Focus on Environment, Social and Governance matters Samridhi will not invest in any of the following businesses or activities: Illegal or banned activities, including child labor Businesses dealing with hazardous chemicals, asbestos, pesticides, and wastes; ozone-depleting substances; and endangered or protected wildlife or wildlife products. Arms and ammunition Companies that have been proven to be involved in fraud and corruption.

How useful is this scheme?

Public benefit analysis

A practical look at this scheme for citizens

AI-generated insights showing how useful, accessible, and practical this scheme may be — combining deterministic scoring rules with a public-policy LLM analyst.

6.6
/ 10
Public Benefit Score
Accessibility 5.0/10 Moderate
Rural usefulness 5.0/10 Moderate
Application complexity 3.0/10 Good
Financial impact 9.5/10 Good
Literacy barrier 5.0/10 Moderate
Women inclusivity 5.0/10 Moderate
Awareness 7.0/10 Good
Implementation reliability 7.0/10 Good
Bigger shape means a better fit for citizens
  • Accessibility5.0
  • Financial impact9.5
  • Rural utility5.0
  • Awareness7.0
  • Simplicity7.0
  • Inclusivity5.0

What problem does this scheme solve?

The Samridhi Fund aims to support economically viable startups with social impact, particularly in specific Indian states.

Key challenges addressed

  • Access to capital for startups
  • Support for social enterprises

Most beneficial for

  • Startups focused on social impact
  • Entrepreneurs in targeted states

Likely challenges

  • Strict eligibility criteria
  • Limited awareness among potential applicants

Practical insights for citizens

The scheme may be difficult for rural startups to navigate due to digital and literacy barriers.

Rural challenges

  • Limited internet access
  • Lack of awareness about the scheme

Digital challenges

  • High digital dependency for application

Implementation bottlenecks

  • Strict eligibility criteria may exclude many potential applicants

Awareness challenges

  • Limited outreach in rural areas

Application analysis

Application mode
Online portal
Documents burden
Low
Verification complexity
Moderate
Office dependency
Low
DBT dependency
No
CSC support
Limited
Estimated citizen effort
Moderate

Estimated beneficiary reach

  • Rural / urban reach Moderate
  • Gender reach Moderate

Benefit analysis

Benefit type
Social venture capital fund
Benefit practicality
High for eligible startups
Financial meaningfulness
High, given the fund size of ₹430 crore
Long-term impact
Potentially significant for social enterprises and local economies

Plain-language guidance

The Samridhi Fund provides financial support to startups that help the poor and have a social impact. It is aimed at businesses in specific Indian states.

Who should apply
Startups focusing on social issues and market access for the poor.
Who may struggle
Rural entrepreneurs with limited digital access and awareness.
Best application route
Apply via the online portal.

This intelligence section is generated by an AI policy analyst combined with rule-based scoring. Scores and narrative are estimates derived from the publicly available scheme information shown on this page; actual experience may vary by state, district, and department. Always confirm details on the official portal before you apply.

Application Process

Online / portal

Official application / information link: https://www.startupindia.gov.in/content/sih/en/government-schemes/samridhi_fund.html

Source listing: https://www.startupindia.gov.in/content/sih/en/government-schemes.html

References

Startup India — Central government schemes for startups
https://www.startupindia.gov.in/content/sih/en/government-schemes.html
Application / official link
https://www.startupindia.gov.in/content/sih/en/government-schemes/samridhi_fund.html

Apply

Apply now

Opens the official application or programme portal in a new tab. If in doubt, confirm details on the ministry site.

Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of Samridhi Fund?
Samridhi Fund is a government welfare initiative designed to support Startups, Startups through benefits related to Startups & entrepreneurship, financial assistance, subsidies, social welfare, healthcare, education, or livelihood support.
Who can apply for Samridhi Fund?
Eligibility for Samridhi Fund may depend on factors such as income category, age, gender, occupation, state of residence, social category, and government-defined beneficiary criteria.
What benefits are offered under Samridhi Fund?
Benefits under Samridhi Fund may include financial assistance, subsidies, scholarships, insurance support, healthcare benefits, pension support, training assistance, or welfare services depending on the scheme guidelines.
Which department manages Samridhi Fund?
Samridhi Fund is managed by SIDBI and may be implemented through district offices, online portals, CSC centres, banks, or authorised government agencies.
Can users apply online for Samridhi Fund?
Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for Samridhi Fund through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.
Is Aadhaar mandatory for Samridhi Fund?
Many government schemes may require Aadhaar verification, identity proof, or linked bank account details for beneficiary validation and direct benefit transfer processing.
Where can users apply for Samridhi Fund?
Applications for Samridhi Fund may be submitted through government departments, official scheme portals, CSC centres, district offices, welfare departments, or authorised service centres.
What documents may be required for Samridhi Fund?
Applicants may need Aadhaar card, income certificate, residence proof, bank account details, caste certificate, photographs, educational records, or occupation-related documents depending on scheme eligibility requirements.
Is Samridhi Fund a central government scheme?
Yes, Samridhi Fund is a central government welfare initiative that may be implemented across multiple states through authorised departments and agencies.
Does Samridhi Fund provide business loan or startup assistance?
Samridhi Fund may support entrepreneurs, startups, self-employed individuals, MSMEs, or small businesses through financial assistance, subsidies, credit support, or training initiatives.
Is collateral required under Samridhi Fund?
Collateral requirements may vary depending on the loan amount, implementing agency, financial institution, and government subsidy structure.
Can CSC centres help users apply for Samridhi Fund?
Many government schemes may be accessible through nearby CSC centres, authorised digital service centres, or welfare facilitation offices.
How can users check the latest updates for Samridhi Fund?
Users should verify official notifications, department announcements, application deadlines, and eligibility updates through authorised government portals or implementing agencies.
Can beneficiaries track application status for Samridhi Fund?
Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.
Where can users get help for Samridhi Fund in All India?
Users in All India may seek assistance through CSC centres, district welfare offices, government departments, agriculture offices, social welfare departments, or authorised facilitation centres.
Which nearby public services may help with Samridhi Fund applications?
Depending on the scheme, users may require support from Aadhaar centres, CSC centres, banks, hospitals, post offices, or government welfare offices for document verification and application assistance.