Written by Mariyam Sara
Published on June 18, 2026 | 6 min read
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) is a flagship government scheme launched to provide unsecured loans of up to 20 lakh to self-employed individuals, small businesses, micro enterprises, women entrepreneurs, and eligible applicants belonging to SC, ST, and OBC backgrounds.
PMMY loans are categorised as ‘Shishu’, ‘Kishore ', ‘Tarun’ and ‘Tarun Plus’ based on the stage of growth and funding requirements of the beneficiaries.
Different categories of PMMY loans cover a wide range of financing needs, offering loan amounts from ₹50,000 for early-stage businesses to ₹20 lakh for business expansion.
Applicants can apply for Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana online by visiting the JanSmarth portal launched by the Government of India or offline by visiting the branch of a participating bank.
Earlier, small and micro enterprises often found it challenging to avail loans from banks due to a lack of collateral and were compelled to borrow high-interest loans from unofficial lenders. To support these businesses andfulfil the objective of "funding the unfunded," , the Government of India introduced Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) in 2015.
Let’s understand in detail what the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) is, the types of loans offered under the scheme, its eligibility criteria, and the application process.
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) is a government scheme launched to provide collateral-free loans of up to ₹20 lakh to income-generating non-corporate, small and micro enterprises, as well as women entrepreneurs. The term ‘MUDRA’ stands for Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency Ltd, a public sector financial institution operating under PMMY to support the development and refinancing needs of micro enterprises.
Applicants can borrow loans under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) through eligible financial intermediaries approved by MUDRA Ltd. as Member Lending Institutions (MLIs), which include the following:
The interest rates applicable to loans provided under the PMMY are determined by individual Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) in accordance with the guidelines issued by the RBI (Reserve Bank of India), which require banks to set reasonable interest rates.
Banks may charge an upfront fee for Kishore, Tarun and Tarun Plus categories as per their internal regulations. However, no upfront fees apply to Shishu loans.
The following are the types of loans offered under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY).
The Shishu category under PMMY covers loans up to ₹50,000 for micro and early-stage businesses.
The Kishore loan category provides loan amounts ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹5 lakh for growing businesses.
The Tarun loan category provides loans of more than ₹5 lakh and up to ₹10 lakh for businesses seeking expansion.
The Tarun Plus category provides loans of more than ₹10 lakh and up to ₹20 lakhs for entrepreneurs who successfully repaid their loans under the Tarun category.
The following individuals and businesses are eligible to apply for PMMY.
Self-employed individuals and those with small businesses, such as sole proprietors, shopkeepers, vendors, and artisans, can apply for PMMY.
Small and micro business entities such as partnership firms, Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) and enterprises are eligible for the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana.
Preference is given to women entrepreneurs under the PMMY to support women's empowerment and provide essential financial assistance to them.
Individuals with a business plan or an income-generating business belonging to SC, ST, and OBC backgrounds can apply for the PMMY.
Businesses engaged in non-farming, trading, manufacturing, and service activities with funding requirements of up to ₹20 lakh can apply for PMMY.
Applicants can apply for PMMY online or offline.
Step 1: Visit the JanSamarth web portal launched by the Government of India.
Step 2: Understand the different PMMY loan categories and their loan amount, eligible businesses and individuals.
Step 3: Scroll to the bottom of the page and click ‘Check Eligibility’ to start the loan application.
Step 4: Select the purpose of your loan and provide the requested personal and business details. Enter how much of the required funding you are fulfilling so your loan amount can be determined.
Step 5: Based on the information entered, the portal will find and recommend government schemes you’re eligible for, along with the monthly EMI, interest rates, loan tenure, and subsidy, if any.
Step 6: You can edit the details entered or click on ‘login to apply’ if the government scheme and its conditions align with your requirements and affordability.
Step 7: Log in with your mobile number, enter the OTP, and proceed with the application. You will be redirected to the government web portal. Fill in the application form, attach the required documents and submit your application.
Eligible applicants can visit the nearest branch of an eligible member institution under PMMY to understand the available loan categories, eligibility criteria, and the bank’s interest rates. Once you’ve decided which loan you wish to borrow, request the PMMY application form, attach the required documents, and submit your application.
Applicants are required to submit the following documents to apply for the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY).
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) is a government scheme that aims to fund small and micro enterprises, as well as women entrepreneurs, by providing collateral-free loans of up to ₹20 lakh. The scheme offers four categories of loans based on the stage of business growth and the funding requirements of the applicant. Eligible applicants can visit the JanSmarth portal, check their eligibility and apply for the PMMY scheme.
Yes, you can apply for Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) to obtain a loan for purchasing CNG tempos and rickshaws used for business purposes.
Only businesses that successfully repaid the ‘Tarun’ loan under PMMY are eligible to apply for the Tarun Plus loan.
Yes, businesses such as salons, beauty parlours, and gyms come under the community, social and personal services sector and hence are eligible for PMMY.
Yes, you can apply for loans under PMMY for purchasing machinery for business and manufacturing purposes.
You can apply for loans up to ₹20 lakh under the Tarun Plus category, provided that you’ve successfully repaid the Tarun loan.
About Author
Mariyam Sara
Sub-Editor
holds an MBA in Finance and is a true Finance Fanatic. She writes extensively on all things finance whether it’s stock trading, personal finance, or insurance, chances are she’s covered it. When she’s not writing, she’s busy pursuing NISM certifications, experimenting with new baking recipes.
Read more from MariyamUpstox is a leading Indian financial services company that offers online trading and investment services in stocks, commodities, currencies, mutual funds, and more. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Mumbai, Upstox is backed by prominent investors including Ratan Tata, Tiger Global, and Kalaari Capital. It operates under RKSV Securities and is registered with SEBI, NSE, BSE, and other regulatory bodies, ensuring secure and compliant trading experiences.
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