Dena Shakti Scheme

The Dena Shakti Scheme is run by the erstwhile Dena Bank with the purpose of financially empowering women entrepreneurs. It was introduced to provide business finance support to women-led enterprises across agriculture, manufacturing, services, retail and allied sectors. Your business, if led by a woman entrepreneur, can benefit by accessing affordable credit under this scheme.

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

Key Features

Concession in interest rate for women entrepreneurs: The scheme offers a reduction of about 0.25 per cent in rate of interest compared to standard base rate for eligible women entrepreneurs.
Loan-facilities cover both term-loan and working-capital: You can obtain finance either for setting up or expanding your enterprise (term-loan) or for meeting working-capital needs, or a combination of both under the scheme.
Wide sectoral coverage including agriculture, services, retail and micro-enterprises: The scheme applies to agriculture and allied activities, small manufacturing, service enterprises, retail trade, micro-credit, education and housing sectors giving you broad eligibility.
Loan amounts structured for different categories of enterprises: For example, loans up to around ₹20 lakh are available for agriculture or manufacturing, while for micro-credit/retail trade smaller amounts (e.g., up to ₹50,000) are available.
Flexible tenure depending on business requirement: The repayment period can be spread over several years (often up to 7 years or more depending on branch/business) to suit the cash flow of your business.

Financial Assistance

Component	Assistance Provided	Detailed Explanation
Term Loan / Expansion Finance	Up to approximately ₹20 lakh for eligible women entrepreneurs	Example: You run a manufacturing micro-unit owned 51% by a woman; you request a term loan under the scheme to purchase machinery of ₹18 lakh and invest in civil works; the scheme helps you access this finance.
Working Capital / Micro-credit	Smaller loans (e.g., up to about ₹50,000) for retail trade/micro units	Example: A woman retailer seeks ₹45,000 as working capital to stock seasonal inventory; under micro-credit category of the scheme you can access this finance at concessional rate.
Combination of Term + Working Capital	Finance structure that allows both term-loan and working-capital under one scheme	Example: You propose to upgrade your service enterprise (term loan) while also needing extra cash for day-to-day operations (working capital); the scheme allows a combined facility.

Eligibility Criteria

Who Can Apply :

The applicant must be a women entrepreneur holding more than 50% stake in the business enterprise.
The business enterprise should be in one of the eligible sectors: agriculture & allied activities; manufacturing & small enterprises (direct or indirect finance); micro & small service enterprises (including self-employed professionals); retail trade; education; housing.
The business must be properly registered and compliant with regulatory norms (as per bank’s standard loan criteria).
The entrepreneur must furnish necessary documentation and meet credit/viability norms of the bank.

Who Cannot Apply:

Women entrepreneurs holding less than 50% ownership in the enterprise.
Enterprises which do not qualify as micro/small in the eligible sectors or are outside the scheme’s defined purview.
Applicants who do not meet the bank’s creditworthiness or documentation requirements.
Non-women (male entrepreneurs) cannot apply under this specific scheme category.

Documents Required

Proof of identity and address of the applicant (Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID, driving licence etc).
Business registration proof (partnership deed/registration certificate/firm registration or MSME registration)
Proof of ownership showing >50% stake of the woman entrepreneur in the business
Bank account details of the business / proprietor
Project report / business plan (for expansion/term loan)
Audited financial statements (for existing enterprises) or projected statements (for startup)
Quotation of machinery/equipment if applicable, working capital requirement
Any other documents as per bank’s standard loan sanction policy

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: Women entrepreneurs who prefer expert assistance in navigating loan application, documentation & follow-up.

Option 2: Direct Bank Process

Visit your nearest branch of Bank of Baroda (pre-Dena Bank branches) offering the Dena Shakti loan scheme.
Obtain the Dena Shakti application form and fill in business details: nature of business, partners, credit facilities, proposed machinery/equipment (if any).
Attach required identity, address proofs, business registration, ownership certificate, bank account details etc.
Submit along with project/business plan (if expansion) or working capital requirement.
Bank assesses the application, conducts viability/credit checks, sanctions the loan
On approval, sign loan documents, access funds, and adhere to repayment schedule.

Option 3: Via MSME/Entrepreneur Support Centre
Many state-level MSME or women-entrepreneurship centres help women locate eligibility, obtain form, compile documents and guide application under such bank laid schemes.