About this programme
Term Loan is the flagship concessional credit scheme run separately by three central government financial corporations under nodal ministries — NSFDC (Scheduled Castes), NBCFDC (Backward Classes/OBC), and NSTFDC (Scheduled Tribes) — to finance income-generating ventures of persons from these communities. Funds are channelled to beneficiaries through State Channelizing Agencies (SCAs), public sector banks and Regional Rural Banks, not disbursed directly by the corporations. Under NSFDC, projects costing up to Rs 50 lakh are financed up to 90% (max loan about Rs 45 lakh), repayable quarterly over up to 7 years including a 6-month moratorium, at 4% to SCAs and 8% to beneficiaries. Under NBCFDC's General/Term Loan, the maximum loan is Rs 15 lakh with slab-wise interest of 6-8% p.a., repayable over up to 8 years. Under NSTFDC, projects up to Rs 50 lakh are financed up to 90%, repayable over up to 5 years, at interest slabs of 6-10% depending on loan size. Loans cover agriculture and allied activities, small business/artisan and traditional occupations, industry, transport, services, and technical/professional trades. It is run by NSFDC / NSTFDC / NBCFDC.
This is credit — repayable finance, usually on more concessional terms than a regular commercial loan. The amount and form of support that actually apply to you depend on the programme’s rules and how your application is assessed — they are not fixed for every applicant.
It is aimed at businesses in agriculture and allied activities, small business/artisan and traditional occupations, industry, transport and services, and technical/professional trades for sc/st/obc beneficiaries. Like most government programmes, it has its own eligibility conditions, documentation and application window, and these terms are revised from time to time. Because of that, it is worth confirming the current eligibility, amount and deadline on the official programme page before you invest time in applying.
Who can apply
Individuals belonging to Scheduled Castes (NSFDC, annual family income up to Rs 5 lakh), Backward Classes/OBC (NBCFDC, annual family income up to Rs 3 lakh) or Scheduled Tribes (NSTFDC, annual family income up to Rs 3 lakh) undertaking a viable income-generating venture in agriculture, industry, business, transport or services; applications routed through the respective State Channelizing Agency/bank.
Documents you’ll typically need
- Business registration / incorporation certificate
- PAN (and GST registration, where applicable)
- Identity and address proof for the applicant / directors
- A short description of your business or project
- Recent financials or a simple project report
The exact checklist depends on the programme and your specifics.
Frequently asked
What kind of support is this?
This is credit — repayable finance, usually on more concessional terms than a regular commercial loan.
Who runs this programme?
NSFDC / NBCFDC / NSTFDC Term Loan (SC/ST/OBC/Minorities) is offered by NSFDC / NSTFDC / NBCFDC. Eligibility and approval rest with them; the criteria and amounts are set by the programme.
Is there a deadline to apply?
Programmes like this can be rolling or time-bound. Confirm the current window on the official programme page before you apply.
How do I know if I’m eligible?
Read “Who can apply” above for the programme’s own criteria. If you’d like a quick read on your specific case, our free 2-minute eligibility check maps your stage, sector and revenue to what you can realistically claim.
Reviewed July 2026. Government programmes change — confirm current eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official programme page before you apply. CapEasy is a private consultancy and is not affiliated with any government authority.