SRINAGAR: Between December 1, 2020, and October 10, 2025, more than 4.37 lakh women entrepreneurs in Jammu and Kashmir have been sanctioned Mudra loans amounting to Rs. 7,579.3 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY). These loans have supported the establishment and expansion of small businesses, agriculture-allied ventures, handicrafts, and other traditional enterprises across the Union Territory.
During the same period, a total of 18,49,985 women in Jammu and Kashmir received Mudra loans worth Rs. 39,492.76 crore. While a significant portion of these loans supported entrepreneurs, the broader disbursement also benefited women undertaking micro-enterprises, self-employment initiatives, and income-generating activities.
Year-wise figures for women entrepreneurs in the UT show a gradual rise in both accounts and disbursements. In FY 2020–21, 43,706 women entrepreneurs received loans; the following years saw sustained support, culminating in over 4.37 lakh beneficiaries cumulatively by October 2025. The average loan size for entrepreneurs has enabled meaningful capital infusion for business expansion and income generation.
The government has provided a one-time 2 per cent interest subvention on prompt repayment of Shishu loans extended under PMMY for eligible borrowers, amounting to Rs. 636.90 crore disbursed to more than 3.16 crore loan accounts nationally. This concession has reduced the cost of credit for women entrepreneurs and encouraged timely repayment.
Nationally, PMMY has sanctioned over 20.41 crore loans to women, totaling Rs. 10.26 lakh crore since April 2020. Around 66 per cent of all Mudra loans have been extended to women, with the scheme offering collateral-free credit to those who often lack formal credit history. Digital platforms such as JanSamarth and ‘PSB Loans in 59 Minutes’ have facilitated faster approvals, while financial literacy camps and outreach programs improve access in rural and semi-urban areas.
Special initiatives such as the Stand-Up India scheme further target women from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, providing loans up to Rs. 1 crore for greenfield enterprises. These efforts have contributed significantly to women’s economic empowerment in Jammu and Kashmir, promoting entrepreneurship, local employment, and sustained livelihood generation.
The Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana provides collateral-free loans under three categories—Shishu (up to Rs. 50,000), Kishore (Rs. 50,001–5 lakh), and Tarun (Rs. 5–10 lakh). The scheme aims to enable women, youth, and socially disadvantaged groups to start and grow income-generating enterprises, while offering interest concessions and support mechanisms for timely repayment.
