SRS

Sarothi Scheme

6.6/10

The Sarothi Start-Up fund is an initiative that the Indian government of Assam has launched (2016-17) to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship in the state. Startups and entrepreneurs receive seed capital, working capital, and other forms of financial support through the scheme.

State In Kind

States / UT: Assam

Nodal department: Industries and Commerce Department

Scheme for: Infra

Scheme profile

Scheme open date: 2017-01-01

Categories: Social welfare & Empowerment

Sub-categories: Financial assistance

Target beneficiaries: Business Entity

Tags: Sarothi, Startup, Financial Assistance

Details

Detailed
The entrepreneurs of the State, more particularly the 1st generation entrepreneurs are facing problems to convert their ideas into reality due to a lack of adequate resources in the form of equity, loan, etc. Getting loans or financial assistance from banks/Financial Institutions for any new venture is a major problem in the State as Banks/Financial Institutions are very reluctant to provide loans considering it a risk for them.
To remove this hurdle of equity /fund crunch, the State Government has proposed to launch a new scheme called Chief Minister's Start-up fund “Sarothi” with an initial amount of Rs.10 Cr during 2016-17. The fund shall be managed by the Industries & Commerce Department as per its operational guidelines.
The scheme shall be operational from the financial year 2016-17 and shall be valid for a period of five years. The proposed guidelines of the scheme do not supplement the argument given above as it does not propose to give equity support, instant aimed at giving interest concession. The basic objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance in the form of a loan with Interest subvention through a designated Bank covering the whole of Assam. The loan so availed by the beneficiaries will be supported by the State Govt. through Interest Subvention @ 5% P.A.
The coverage of the scheme shall be:-

  1. All innovative start-up industrial activities and the new individual applicants shall be eligible to get the benefit under the scheme.
  2. New MSME units.
  3. Priority shall be given to the applicant having any kind of skill development training.
  4. The applicant should not be a defaulter of any Bank/ Financial Institution

The objective of the scheme:
The basic objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance in the form of loan with Interest subvention through a designated Bank covering the whole of Assam. The loan so availed by the beneficiaries will be supported by the State Govt. through Interest Subvention @5% P.A.
Designated Bank
The financial assistance has been proposed to be provided in the form of Interest Subvention on loan (Term Loan +Cash Credit) @ 5% P.A. initially through Assam Gramin Vikas Bank (AGVB) to applicant industries. Later on, Government may bring in more bank/s under the purview of the scheme.

Benefits

  • Financial Assistance 1. The government provides financial assistance for startups in the form of loans with interest subvention 1. The loan amount will be a maximum of Rs. 10.00 lakh

Financial Assistance

  1. The government provides financial assistance for startups in the form of loans with interest subvention
  2. The loan amount will be a maximum of Rs. 10.00 lakh.

Eligibility

Eligibility

  1. All innovative startup industrial activities and the new individual applicant will be eligible to get the benefit under the Sarothi scheme.
  2. New Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) units in Assam are eligible for these benefits.
  3. Priority will be given to an applicant if he or she undergoes any skill development training.
  4. If the applicant is a defaulter of any Bank or Financial Institution, he or she will not be eligible for benefits under the Sarothi scheme.

Exclusions

Exclusions

  1. If the applicant has any pending legal cases, defaults on previous loans, or has a poor credit score, it may affect their eligibility for the scheme.
  2. If the applicant's proposed project is not feasible, sustainable, or does not align with the objectives of the scheme, their application may not be accepted.

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 6.0/10 Moderate
Application complexity 3.0/10 Good
Financial impact 9.5/10 Good
Literacy barrier 5.0/10 Moderate
Women inclusivity 6.0/10 Moderate
Awareness 4.0/10 Moderate
Implementation reliability 7.0/10 Good
Bigger shape means a better fit for citizens
  • Accessibility5.0
  • Financial impact9.5
  • Rural utility6.0
  • Awareness4.0
  • Simplicity7.0
  • Inclusivity6.0

What problem does this scheme solve?

The Sarothi Scheme aims to support startups in Assam by providing financial assistance through loans with interest subvention.

Key challenges addressed

  • Lack of financial resources for startups
  • Difficulty in obtaining loans from banks

Most beneficial for

  • First-generation entrepreneurs
  • New MSME units
  • Individuals with skill development training

Likely challenges

  • Eligibility restrictions for defaulters
  • Potential legal issues affecting eligibility

Practical insights for citizens

While the scheme provides necessary support, practical challenges in accessing loans and navigating the application process may hinder its effectiveness.

Rural challenges

  • Limited access to online resources
  • Dependence on local banks for loans

Digital challenges

  • Need for internet access for online application
  • Limited digital literacy among potential applicants

Implementation bottlenecks

  • Bank reluctance to provide loans
  • Legal issues affecting eligibility

Awareness challenges

  • Limited outreach to rural populations
  • Need for better communication of eligibility criteria

Application analysis

Application mode
Online + Offline
Documents burden
Moderate
Verification complexity
Moderate
Office dependency
High
DBT dependency
No
CSC support
Available
Estimated citizen effort
Moderate

Estimated beneficiary reach

  • Rural / urban reach Moderate
  • Gender reach All
  • Occupation reach Entrepreneurs, MSMEs

Benefit analysis

Benefit type
In Kind
Benefit frequency
One-time loan with interest subvention
Benefit practicality
Practical for eligible startups but may be challenging for those with legal or financial issues.
Financial meaningfulness
Moderately meaningful as it provides significant financial support.
Long-term impact
Potentially positive if beneficiaries successfully establish their businesses.

Plain-language guidance

The Sarothi Scheme helps startups in Assam by providing loans with lower interest rates. It is designed for new businesses and individuals with innovative ideas.

Who should apply
New entrepreneurs and MSME units in Assam.
Who may struggle
Individuals with poor credit history or legal issues.
Best application route
Apply via local District Industries & Commerce Centre (DICC) or online.

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

Application Procedure:

  1. The application must be downloaded from the following link.1. The applicant should fill out the application and send it along with the required supporting documents to the appropriate District Industries & Commerce Centre (DICC) General Manager.
  2. Check the detail of the District Industries & Commerce Centre (DICC) General Manager with the following link.

Clarifications

Additional points from the scheme information published on myScheme (not legal advice).

Is the scheme a direct benefit scheme ?

No

Is the scheme benefit available to all age group ?

Yes

Can only a specific gender avail the benefit of this scheme

No

Are the benefits actually going to benefit the citizen? Or is it a gimmic?

Yes, it is actually going to benefit the budding entrepreneurs.

Does the scheme provide benefit in form of equity or debt ?

The scheme provides funding in the form of equity, debt, or a combination of both, thereby enabling beneficiaries to retain control over their ventures.

Does the scheme account for 100% financial aid ?

No, the applicant must fullfil a minimum amount of 20% of the total project cost

Can citizen out of assam apply for the scheme ?

No

Is the application process a long procedure ?

No, the DICC has assigned a special team for the same, and the work day and night to hasten the application process.

Does the applicant required to show their financial performance ?

Yes, the applicant must show a) Proposed net Sales during current year(in Rs) : (b)Proposed net profit during current year (in Rs) : (c) Estimated net profit for next year ( in Rs)

Who is eligible for the scheme ?

Individuals, start-ups, MSMEs, and companies registered under the Indian Companies Act, 2013, are eligible for the Sarothi Scheme.

References

Guidelines
https://industries.assam.gov.in/sites/default/files/Sarothi_1.pdf
Application Form
https://industries.assam.gov.in/sites/default/files/Sarothi_1.pdf

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 Sarothi Scheme?
Sarothi Scheme is a government welfare initiative designed to support Infra, Business Entity through benefits related to Social welfare & Empowerment, financial assistance, subsidies, social welfare, healthcare, education, or livelihood support.
Who can apply for Sarothi Scheme?
Eligibility for Sarothi Scheme 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 Sarothi Scheme?
Benefits under Sarothi Scheme 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 Sarothi Scheme?
Sarothi Scheme is managed by Industries and Commerce Department and may be implemented through district offices, online portals, CSC centres, banks, or authorised government agencies.
Can users apply online for Sarothi Scheme?
Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for Sarothi Scheme through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.
Is Aadhaar mandatory for Sarothi Scheme?
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 Sarothi Scheme?
Applications for Sarothi Scheme 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 Sarothi Scheme?
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 Sarothi Scheme available in all states?
No, Sarothi Scheme is primarily available for eligible residents of Assam and may be implemented through state government departments and local administrative offices.
Can residents outside Assam apply for Sarothi Scheme?
Eligibility for Sarothi Scheme is generally limited to residents of Assam unless otherwise specified in the official scheme guidelines.
Does Sarothi Scheme provide business loan or startup assistance?
Sarothi Scheme may support entrepreneurs, startups, self-employed individuals, MSMEs, or small businesses through financial assistance, subsidies, credit support, or training initiatives.
Is collateral required under Sarothi Scheme?
Collateral requirements may vary depending on the loan amount, implementing agency, financial institution, and government subsidy structure.
Can CSC centres help users apply for Sarothi Scheme?
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 Sarothi Scheme?
Users should verify official notifications, department announcements, application deadlines, and eligibility updates through authorised government portals or implementing agencies.
Are there deadlines for applying to Sarothi Scheme?
Some schemes may operate through fixed application windows, annual registration cycles, or department-specific deadlines depending on scheme implementation policies.
Can beneficiaries track application status for Sarothi Scheme?
Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.
Where can users get help for Sarothi Scheme in Assam?
Users in Assam 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 Sarothi Scheme 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.