NSFDC stands for National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation. 

The Registered headquarters of the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC) is situated at 14th Floor SCOPE Minar Core 1 & 2 North Tower Laxmi Nagar District Centre Laxmi Nagar Delhi - 110092. 

Additionally, to facilitate regional operations and outreach, the Corporation maintains Liaison Centers strategically located in the cities of Mumbai, Kolkata, Lucknow and Bengaluru.

To avail loans under NSFDC credit schemes, an applicant must satisfy two essential criteria:

Community Requirement: Must belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community and possess a valid Caste Certificate issued by the competent authority.

Income Ceiling: Annual family income from all sources must not exceed ₹5.00 Lakhs (applicable to both rural and urban areas, effective January 7, 2026).

(Note: This income limit applies only to loans. There is no income ceiling for enrollment in NSFDC-sponsored Skill Development Training Programmes).

No. Direct contact or correspondence by applicants/beneficiaries is not entertained by NSFDC. All loan applications must be routed through authorized State Channelizing Agencies (SCAs) or other Channelizing Agencies (CAs).

You can submit your application through either of the following modes:

Online Mode (PM-SURAJ Portal): The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment provides a digital platform for the streamlined submission of loan applications. You can easily apply online by visiting the official PM-SURAJ portal at pmsuraj.dosje.gov.in.

Offline Mode (Channelizing Agencies): You may submit a physical application at the nearest district branch office or head office of the SCAs/CAs. When applying offline, ensure you submit your application along with a valid caste certificate, income proof, KYC documents, and any other documents required as per the specific checklist of the respective agency.

Yes, through the Educational Loan Scheme (ELS). NSFDC provides loans up to ₹40.00 lakhs (or 90% of the course fee, whichever is less) to help eligible students pursue regular full-time professional or technical courses at recognized institutions in India or abroad. The repayment period can extend up to 10–12 years depending on the disbursement schedule.

NSFDC provides financial assistance primarily for two main purposes:

(a) Income-Generating Activities: Loans are provided to help beneficiaries start or expand businesses. While the exact business can vary based on the applicant's needs, NSFDC covers almost any legal and viable income-generating activity. An indicative list of supported sectors includes:

• Agriculture & Allied Sector (e.g., farming equipment, dairy, poultry)

• Small Industries Sector (e.g., manufacturing units, handicrafts, boutiques)

• Service & Transport Sector (e.g., retail shops, repair centers, commercial vehicles, e-rickshaws)

(b) Education: Through the Educational Loan Scheme (ELS), NSFDC provides loans to eligible students for pursuing regular, full-time professional or technical recognized courses at the graduate or higher levels, both in India and abroad.

NSFDC loans are offered at highly concessional rates. While rates vary slightly by scheme and channelizing agency, beneficiaries typically pay around 6.5% to 8% per annum.

Yes. In an effort to promote women's empowerment and encourage female entrepreneurship, NSFDC has the provisions:

Targeted Allocation: A target of 40% of the total funds under the Term Loan and Micro Finance Schemes is specifically allocated for women beneficiaries.

Eligible applicants may submit their applications through the following modes:

Online Mode: Via the official PM-SURAJ portal (pmsuraj.dosje.gov.in) for streamlined digital processing.

Offline Mode: At the nearest district or head office of the authorized State Channelizing Agencies (SCAs) or other Channelizing Agencies (CAs), along with requisite documents (Caste Certificate, Income Proof, KYC, and other prescribed checklist items).

No, NSFDC does not entertain direct loan applications or disburse funds directly to beneficiaries. NSFDC operates on a "Channel Finance System." Funds are routed to the beneficiary/target group through authorized "Channel Partners."

Presently, NSFDC implements its schemes through a wide network of channel partners, which include:

• State Channelizing Agencies (SCAs)

• Public Sector Banks (PSBs)

• Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)

• Non-Banking Financial Company – Micro Finance Institutions (NBFC-MFIs)

• Co-operative Banks

• Small Finance Banks

• Cooperative Societies

• Other Agencies & SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India )

To avail of a loan, an applicant must approach these local Channel Partners, who will process the application, disburse the NSFDC funds, and collect the repayment.

The core mandate of NSFDC is to promote the socio-economic empowerment and economic well-being of the Scheduled Caste (SC) population by improving the flow of financial assistance. Its primary objectives and activities include:

Financing Income-Generating Schemes: Providing financial assistance for viable self-employment projects through State Channelizing Agencies (SCAs) and other Channelizing Agencies (CAs).

Providing Educational Loans: Extending loans through SCAs and CAs to eligible students for pursuing regular, full-time professional or technical education at recognized institutions in India and abroad.

Funding Skill Development: Providing grants to sponsor Skill Development Training Programmes to enhance the employability of the target group.

Facilitating Market Linkages: Organizing and participating in exhibitions-cum-fairs to help beneficiaries effectively market their products.

NSFDC adopts a channel finance system with a network of 102 partners. To route funds to the target group, NSFDC implements its schemes through the following categories of authorized Channel Partners:

• State Channelizing Agencies (SCAs)

• Public Sector Banks (PSBs)

• Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)

• Non-Banking Financial Company – Micro Finance Institutions (NBFC-MFIs)

• Co-operative Banks

• Small Finance Banks

• Cooperative Societies

• Other Agencies & SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India)

NSFDC implements various tailored financial products based on the project cost. In all schemes, NSFDC provides up to 90% of the project cost. The five primary schemes are:

Micro Finance Scheme (MFS): Provides micro-credit for small business activities for units costing up to ₹1.40 lakh. The maximum loan limit is ₹1.25 lakh at an interest rate of 6.5% p.a. for the beneficiary. Repayment is in quarterly installments within 3 years (including a 3-month moratorium). Implemented via SCAs/CAs.

Aajeevika Micro-Finance Yojana (AMY): Provides prompt and need-based micro-finance through selected NBFC-MFIs for projects costing up to ₹1.40 lakh. The maximum loan is ₹1.25 lakh at an interest rate of 15% p.a. for the beneficiary. Repayment is within 3 years (including a 3-month moratorium).

Term Loan: Designed for larger income-generating projects costing more than ₹1.40 lakh and up to ₹50.00 lakh. The maximum loan limit is up to ₹45.00 lakh at an interest rate of 8% p.a. for the beneficiary. Repayment is within 7 years (including a 6-month moratorium, which is extended to 12 months for plantation and construction activities). Implemented via SCAs/CAs.

Udyam Nidhi Yojana (UNY): Offers loans for projects costing up to ₹5.00 lakh to pursue small/micro activities. The maximum loan is ₹4.50 lakh. Implemented through Cooperative Societies and Cooperative Banks at a beneficiary interest rate of 13% p.a., and through Small Finance Banks (SFBs) at 15% p.a. Repayment is within 5 years (including a 3-month moratorium).

Educational Loan Scheme (ELS): Provided to eligible students for pursuing regular, full-time professional/technical recognized courses (e.g., Engineering, Medical, Management, Law, etc.) or higher doctoral studies in India or abroad. The maximum loan is up to ₹40.00 lakh (or 90% of the course fee, whichever is less) at an interest rate of 6.5% p.a. Repayment extends up to 10–12 years, with a moratorium period of the course duration plus 1 year (or up to 6 months where loan has been disbursed and repayment has started).

NSFDC provides market exposure by helping artisans participate in major fairs and exhibitions (e.g., India International Trade Fair, Dilli Haat, Surajkund Mela, Shilp Samagam). They also implement Cluster Development Programs to uplift artisans and weavers on a larger scale.

Yes. NSFDC sponsors free, NSQF-compliant Skill Development Training Programmes for persons belonging to Scheduled Castes (between the ages of 18 and 45) under the PM-DAKSH Yojana. There is no income criterion for aspirants to enroll.

Key benefits of the programme include:

• Free Training: Offered in four categories (Up-skilling/Re-skilling, Short-Term, Long-Term, and Entrepreneurship Development).

• Monthly Stipend: Trainees receive a stipend of ₹ 1,500 per month via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), subject to maintaining an overall attendance of 80% or above throughout the training period.

• Post-Training Support: Upon successful completion and certification, trainees receive placement assistance or entrepreneurial guidance, along with access to financial assistance from NSFDC to start their own ventures.

(Note: Interested youth can register online through the PM-DAKSH Portal at https://pmdaksh.dosje.gov.in or via the "PMDAKSH" mobile app).

NSFDC focuses its CSR interventions on helping marginalized and needy persons, particularly under the theme of 'Health & Nutrition'. Key activities include the installation of Sanitary Vending Machines & Incinerators, Plastic Bottle Crushing Machines, Solar Panels, Water Purifiers (RO plants), and Borewells, as well as the construction of toilets and the organization of Health Camps under the Swachh Bharat Campaign.

Yes. Partnership firms and co-operative societies are eligible to apply for funding, provided that all members belong to the Scheduled Caste community and the annual family income of each individual member does not exceed the ₹ 5.00 lakh threshold.

As of the provided data, the Authorised Share Capital: ₹ 1800 crore and Paid-Up Share Capital: ₹ 1515 crore (as on 31st March, 2026)

To receive funds, SCAs and Banks must meet strict criteria:

• No Overdues: There must be no overdues payable to NSFDC.

• Utilization: A minimum 100% cumulative utilization level of previously disbursed funds.

• Guarantee: Adequate State Government or Bank Guarantees must be available.

• For RRB specifically: For RRBs, Net NPAs should be below 15% and the RRB should have earned net profit in at least 3 out of the last 6 financial years preceding the year of disbursement.

NBFC-MFIs must have no pending utilization of funds for more than a year and maintain an 100% cumulative utilization level. They must have no overdues and provide specific financial security/guarantees depending on whether they operate under a Cluster or Non-Cluster mode.