Cent Kalyani Scheme

The Cent Kalyani Scheme is run by Central Bank of India, aimed at encouraging and supporting women entrepreneurs in India. It was launched as a special business-loan product for women to start or expand enterprises across manufacturing, services and allied sectors. Your business, if woman-owned, can benefit from this scheme’s concessional finance, wide eligibility, and facilitation for working capital or term-loan needs.

Key Features
Financial Assistance
Eligibility Criteria
Documents Required
Application Process for the Scheme

Key Features

Loans up to ₹1 crore for eligible women entrepreneurs: Under the scheme, eligible women entrepreneurs can avail finance up to approximately ₹100 lakh (₹1 crore) to set up, modernise or expand their enterprise.
Term-loan, working capital, cash credit, overdraft and non-fund based limits offered: The scheme is flexible in the nature of finance — you can get term-loan for machinery or plant, working capital or cash-credit for operations, overdraft for short-term needs, or non-fund-based facilities like letters of credit or guarantee.
Interest-rate concessions for women entrepreneurs: The scheme provides a concession over the bank’s standard rate based on the Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate (MCLR) for women entrepreneurs. For example, smaller loans (up to ₹10 lakh) get certain concession and larger loans (above ₹10 lakh up to ₹100 lakh) get higher concession.
No or minimal collateral/guarantor requirement (in many cases): For advances under the scheme, collateral or third-party guarantor may not be required provided the advance is eligible under the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) coverage or bank’s internal policy allows.
Both new ventures and existing units eligible: The scheme allows both new women entrepreneurs (starting business) and existing women-owned businesses (expansion or modernisation) to apply, subject to fulfilment of eligibility and bank appraisal.

Financial Assistance

Component	Assistance Provided	Detailed Explanation)
Term Loan / Expansion Finance	Finance up to ₹100 lakh approx for women-owned unit	Example: A woman entrepreneur runs a small food-processing unit and plans to install new machinery costing ₹80 lakh; under this scheme she may apply for a term-loan up to that amount (subject to bank’s sanction).
Working Capital / Cash Credit / Overdraft	Working capital facility, cash-credit or overdraft for operations	Example: A retail business woman entrepreneur may require ₹20 lakh for stocking inventory and handling seasonal operations; the scheme facility allows a working capital line under favourable terms.
Non-Fund Based Facilities (e.g., LC/Guarantee)	Non-fund based limits for trade/contract business by women	Example: A woman contractor may need a bank guarantee or letter of credit for supplying to a larger project; the scheme supports such non-fund based credit support.

Eligibility Criteria

Who can apply:

Applicant must be a woman entrepreneur (owning/controlling major stake) planning a new enterprise or running an existing micro/small business.
Activities eligible: manufacturing, service, trading (excluding certain excluded categories like education institutes, self-help groups in some versions) under MSME definition.
Age: above 18 years.
Other: must satisfy bank’s normal credit norms, documentation, viability.

Who cannot apply:

Enterprises not led/owned by women as per scheme norm.
Businesses in excluded sectors (for example education/training institutes or purely retail trade depending on version) as per the bank’s specific scheme version.
Applicants failing to meet creditworthiness or not submitting required documentation.

Documents Required

Aadhaar, PAN Card (ID Proof)
Business registration / Udyam Certificate
Proof of ownership (≥ 51% held by woman applicant)
Address proof and bank account details
Income Tax Returns or audited financial statements (for existing units)
Project report and equipment quotations (for new units)

Application Process for the Scheme

Option 1: Apply with Bullit (Recommended)

Click here to start with guided support. Our team verifies eligibility, compiles documents, and handles application & follow-ups on your behalf. You can monitor progress while focusing on operations.

Recommended for: Lean teams. Designed to save you time and effort. Access expert help from start to finish.

Option 2: Direct Bank Application

Visit your nearest Central Bank of India branch.
Obtain and fill the Cent Kalyani application form.
Attach business details, ownership proof, and project report.
Submit for credit assessment and sanction.
On approval, loan amount is disbursed as term loan or working capital.

Option 3: Apply Through the Official Bank or Government Portal

You can also apply directly through the official online portal or website of the implementing bank/authority.
Simply visit the official page of the scheme, review the detailed guidelines, and submit your loan or scheme application digitally.
Once the form is submitted, the bank or nodal agency will review your documents, verify eligibility, and contact you for further processing or approval.
This option suits applicants comfortable with handling their own paperwork and online submission process.