SIDBI: Guide for Schemes, Functions, Full Form, Steps to Apply for Loan

SIDBI – What is it about?
Established in the year 1990, the Small Industries and Development Bank of India-SIDBI aims at enhancing cash flow in the MSME Sector – to promote and develop this sector thus benefitting the society and the economy of the nation. This Bank thrives on promoting, commercializing, and marketing new ideas, innovative start-ups, and developing small-scale industries by providing funds and customizing loan schemes to enhance the working of MSMEs to meet the demands of people by encouraging their own working and supply.
Mission and Vision of SIDBI
The vision and mission of SIDBI, which was set up on 2nd April 1990, is to facilitate cash flow to MSMEs and fill in their financial and growth gaps. It emerges as a single window for meeting the financial needs of MSMEs making them globally competitive and customer-friendly organizations enhancing wealth creation, coordinating operations, and functions of the businesses and technological advancements of enterprises.
Objectives of SIDBI
The focus of SIDBI is to follow these four main objectives and goals:
- Development of the MSME Sector
- Promotion of customer service and workability of the sector
- Coordination and Control
- Financing and Providing various kinds of customized loans to give monetary assistance to MSMEs to grow and deliver.
Benefits of SIDBI
There are many advantages associated with SIDBI:
- Customized as per the loan requirements of the business in the right way.
- Loans and credits are provided depending on the size of the business.
- With profitable collaborations with banks and many other financial institutions like the world bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, SIDBI offers concessional and enticing rates of interest.
- Besides providing monetary assistance, it also provides assistance in the loan process and necessary advice on the financial condition of MSMEs.
- There is a contingency to offer loans without security up to a limit of Rs. 100 lakhs
- Helps in the holistic and capital growth and development of firms.
- SIDBI Venture Funding is a subsidiary that focuses on the growth of MSMEs through capital as equity and through venture capital funds.
- Offers various schemes at comfortable terms and discounted interest rates to help the MSMEs financially and in decision making.
- There are no hidden charges and the entire process is quite transparent.
Functions of SIDBI
- SIDBI offers loans and monetary assistance to MSMEs, service sectors, and other small-scale industries (SSI)
- SIDBI offers Finance Schemes for Sustainable Development. This includes cleaner production and energy efficiency in MSMEs
- Receivable Finance Scheme
- SIDBI offers Finance for Upgradation or Modernisation
- SIDBI Revolving Fund for TIFAC – Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council
- It provides loan options through regularised banks, SFCs – State Finance Corporations, NBFCs – Non-Banking Financial Companies, and other financial institutions
- It strengthens credit flows across MSMEs and promotes skill development
- It also aids commercial banks and cooperation to ensure financial health across industries.
- It carries out marketing and advertising initiatives on a large scale.
- Offers venture funding
- Promotes employment by offering multiple job opportunities and updating recruitment deliverables and the advent and up gradation of technology within the sector.
- Offers loans for development, growth, maintenance, restructuring, renovation, working capital, etc.
- Ensures stringent and holistic financial health of various business sectors, thus enhancing and strengthening the economy of the state and the nation and eventually upgrading the individual standard of living.
SCHEMES offered by SIDBI
Direct Loans:
SIDBI offers the following Direct Loans which are prevalent in the market to MSMEs which
- SIDBI Make in India Soft Loan Fund for Micro Small & Medium Enterprises (SMILE)
- Loans under Partnership with OEM
- Smile Equipment Finance (SEF)
- Working Capital (Cash Credit)
- Loan for Purchase of Equipment for Enterprise’s Development (SPEED)
- SIDBI Trader Finance Scheme (STFS)
- SIDBI – Loan for Purchase of Equipment for Enterprise’s Development PLUS (SPEED PLUS
- Top-up Loan for Immediate Purposes (TULIP)
- SIDBI – Retail Loan Scheme for Trade Finance (RLS)
- SIDBI Term-loan Assistance for Rooftop Solar PV Plants (STAR)
- SIDBI Assistance to Facilitate Emergency Response Against Coronavirus Plus (SAFE PLUS)
- SIDBI Assistance to Facilitate Emergency Response Against Coronavirus (SAFE)
Understanding these products in detail:
- SMILE – SIDBI Make in India Soft Loan Fund – offers loans for new enterprises for manufacturing or services with a minimum loan amount of Rs. 10 lakhs for financing equipment and Rs. 25 lakhs for other reasons. Repayment is 10 years which includes the moratorium period of 36 months.
- SEF – SMILE Equipment Finance offers competitive rates of interest which comes with a repayment schedule of 72 months and the minimum amount is Rs. 10 Lakhs for the procurement of new equipment.
- Loans under Partnership with OEM – Original Equipment Manufacturer where the scheme can help MSMEs attain machines and equipment from OEMs with a loan amount of up to Rs. 1 crore. The minimum tenure required for the running business in 3 years and repayment of the loan period is 60 months.
- Offers Working Capital or Cash Credit to MSMEs as per their requirements.
- STFS – SIDBI Trader Finance Scheme is for MSMEs with a minimum tenure of 3 years with satisfactory business performance (min – Rs. 10 lakhs and max – Rs. 1 crore) with a maximum repayment tenure of 60 months.
- SPEED – Loans for Purchasing Equipment for Enterprise Development wherein SIDBI provides 100% financing options of Rs. 1 crore to new businesses and Rs. 2 crores to existing ones provided they have a minimum working tenure of 3 years. Repayment of these loans is from 2 to 5 years which also includes 3-6 months as a moratorium period. The annual Rate of Interest varies from 9.25 – 10%.
Other kinds of Finance and Loan Option Schemes provided by SIDBI – Venture Capital:
Additional Loan Products from SIDBI |
SIDBI’s Indirect Finance |
SIDBI’s Micro-Lending |
SIDBI provides start-up lifecycle loans through banks, NBFCs, SFBs etc.
|
Indirect Finance is provided to Banks, NBFCs, SFBs and MSMEs |
Micro-Lending Development: financial assistance to economically weak people, including women |
Alternate Investment Funds (AIFs) as launched by the government of India to support Funds of Funds for Start-ups. |
NBFCs which include the loan companies registered with RBI which provide loans to the MSME sector |
Responsible Finance Initiatives |
Aspire Fund: especially for those MSMEs which are into manufacturing and services start-ups. |
Refinance Schemes |
Beyond Microfinance through which the loans help to graduate from microfinance to a higher ticket size at a reasonable rate |
India Aspiration Fund as regulated by RBI, this is to promote equity and equity-based investments in the MSME sector and to promote start-ups |
Assistance to SFBs- Small Finance Banks to strengthen their equity and resource base. |
Other kinds of Finance and Loan Option Schemes provided by SIDBI – Indirect Finance:
Under this there are Indirect Financial schemes, to provide financial assistance to NBFCS, Banks, MSMEs, and SFBs. NBFCs which include companies registered with RBI provide financial help to MSMEs and refinance schemes are made available to banks. It also focuses to refinance and strengthen the SFBs building their resource and equity base.
Other kinds of Finance and Loan Option Schemes provided by SIDBI – Micro-Lending:
Under this, there are three schemes:
- Micro Lending Development Department: Financial assistance to monetarily weak people and women.
- Responsible Finance Initiatives: Provides financial support to Banks and other financial institutions.
- Beyond Microfinance – This scheme of loans helps the businesses to elevate to a higher ticket size from microfinance at affordable rates.
We will discuss the following schemes in detail:
Loan Scheme |
Tenure of the Loan |
Loan Amount |
Eligibility Criteria |
SIDBI Assistance to Facilitate Emergency Response Against Coronavirus (SAFE) |
5 years plus a moratorium
|
Up to Rs.50 lakh |
2 years of cash profits and account not in SMA1/2 category for new customers.
Cash profits in the last audited balance sheet not in the SMA1/2 category for Existing customers |
SIDBI Assistance to Facilitate Emergency Response Against Coronavirus Plus (SAFE PLUS) |
4-month cycle |
up to Rs.1 crore (Linked to unit turnover) |
2 years of cash profits and account not in SMA1/2 category for new customers.
Cash profits in the last audited balance sheet not in the SMA1/2 category for Existing customers |
SIDBI Make in India Soft Loan Fund for MSME (SMILE) |
10 years, plus a 3-year moratorium |
Rs.10 lakh – Rs.25 lakh |
New or existing institutions |
Small Equipment Finance (SEF) |
72 months |
Minimum Rs.10 lakh |
3 years’ experience in business |
Loans under a partnership with OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) |
5 years plus a moratorium
|
Rs.1 crore |
3 years’ experience in business |
Working Capital (Cash Credit) |
As specified |
Depends on the applicant |
customers of SIBDI and other banks |
SIDBI Trader Finance Scheme (STFS) |
5 years plus a moratorium
|
Rs.10 lakh – Rs.1 crore |
3 years’ experience in business |
SIDBI – Loan for Purchase of Equipment for Enterprise’s Development (SPEED) |
5 years plus moratorium of 6 months |
New customers: Rs.1 crore Existing customers: Rs.2 crore |
3 years’ experience in business; making profits for 2 years |
SIDBI-Loan for Purchase of Equipment for Enterprise’s Development Plus (SPEED PLUS) |
5 years plus moratorium for 6 months |
New customers: Rs.2 crore Existing customers: Rs.3 crore |
5 years’ experience in business; making profits for 3 years |
SIDBI – retail loan scheme for trade finance (RLS) |
5 years plus a 3-month moratorium
|
Rs.1 crore |
3 years’ experience in business |
Top up loan for immediate purposes (TULIP) |
5 years |
Maximum of Rs.2 crores – |
The applicant must have satisfactory financials and one year of availing a SIDBI loan. |
SIDBI term-loan assistance for rooftop solar PV plants (STAR) |
5 years plus moratorium of 6 months |
Rs.2.5 crore |
satisfactory financial records with 2 years of profits in business |
Funds of Funds for start-ups |
According to the loan amount and financial profile of the applicant |
Depends on the financials of the applicant |
Start-ups |
Aspire, Fund, |
6 years |
Depends on the financials of the applicant |
Businesses under SIDBI that can support AIF’s |
India Aspiration Fund |
Depends |
Depends on the financials of the applicant |
Varies |
Assistance to NBFCs |
2 to 5 and a half years
|
Depends on the financials of the applicant
|
The company should be registered with RBI and running for 5 years.
|
Refinance Scheme |
5 years. |
Depends on the financials of the applicant |
3 years’ experience in business; making profits for 2 years with a strong balance sheet |
Assistance to Small Finance Banks (SFBs) |
As specified |
Depends on the financials of the applicant |
Licensed by RBI and profitable entity for last 2-3 years |
Steps to apply for a loan from SIDBI
The application process for a SIDBI loan can be done by following these simple steps: –
STEP 1: The applicant needs to visit the official website of SIDBI – https://www.sidbi.in/ or https://www.udyamimitra.in/
STEP 2: There is a tab that says, “Borrower’s corner”, the applicant needs to click on that.
Step 3: The applicant needs to fill in his username and password in the given spaces
STEP 4: The applicant must choose the scheme and enter the loan amount which he is looking for
STEP 5: The applicant needs to fill in his personal and business-related details like name, email if, contact details, date of birth, district, pin code, type of business, etc., and click on Register. STEP 6: The account verification email will be sent out, which needs to be verified by the applicant. The loan procedure begins from here.

Read More:
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MSME Schemes
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SIDBI Loan Scheme FAQs:
1. What is SIDBI loan and is it a nationalised Bank?
2. What is the maximum loan amount and maximum repayment tenure offered under SIDBI loan?
3. Who is the owner of SIDBI?
4. Does SIDBI offer MUDRA loans?
5. What are the documents that should be submitted to apply for a SIDBI direct loan?
6. Is credit score required to provide a loan under SIDBI?
7. What is the Purpose of SIDBI?
8. What is the role of SIDBI as a Nodal Agency for Governemtn Schemes?
9. Which are the Subsidiary Associates of SIDBI?
10. What have the been key initiates of SIDBI over the past 25 years?

SIDBI News
SIBDI grants loans to MSMEs for buying electric vehicles
The main financial institution for MSMEs in India, SIDBI, will now offer to finance directly to MSMEs who are having trouble getting loans to buy electric vehicles (EVs) for their daily operations and commercial use. SIDBI has stated that it will directly provide loans to eligible MSMEs (including EV fleet operators, EV leasing companies, and aggregators) to purchase EVs, including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers, as well as to develop charging infrastructure, including battery swapping, as per a pilot program Mission 50,000-EV4ECO announced under guidance from NITI Aayog.
According to SIDBI, a thorough engagement with stakeholders highlighted that one of the challenges MSMEs and NBFCs serving the EV ecosystem have is access to sufficient financing, including a competitive rate of interest.
Supporting the purchase of two- and three-wheelers is essential due to their affordability. The switch to EVs is a crucial cornerstone for the decarbonization of the transportation industry. According to the Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV), EV sales in India reached 1 million units in FY23 with 11,52,021 units sold, an increase of 58% over the 7,26,861 units sold in FY22. With 7,26,976 units sold, two-wheelers had the greatest share (62%) in FY23.
News Updated Date: 15th May 2023
SIDBI Establishes Office in Hosur to Support MSMEs
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in India’s economy, contributing significantly to the country’s employment and gross domestic product (GDP). To ensure these businesses have the resources they need to thrive, the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) recently opened a new branch office in Hosur. This office is dedicated to serving micro, small, and medium enterprises in the region.
SIDBI also created a Cluster Development Fund with the support of the Reserve Bank of India. This fund provides term loans at concessional rates to state governments for projects that develop MSME ecosystems. SIDBI Chairman and Managing Director Sivasubramanian Ramann said that this financial support will help create a better environment for MSMEs.
In addition, SIDBI has launched other initiatives to increase access to credit for MSMEs. These initiatives will provide much-needed capital to businesses in the region so they can expand and create more jobs.
By setting up an office in Hosur and providing financial support through the Cluster Development Fund, SIDBI is helping MSMEs grow and prosper. This is a great example of how organizations can work together with government bodies and local communities to create positive change for businesses.
News Updated Date: 07th March 2023
The SIDBI’s 59-min Loan Scheme
As of November 1, 2022, SIDBI’s 59-minute loan approval program for micro, small, and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs), PSB Loans in 59 Minutes, had only seen a 3.2% increase in loan applications sanctioned over the same period in the previous year. According to official data from the MSME Ministry’s dashboard, banks approved 2,43,140 loans totaling Rs 82,962 crore as of November 1, 2022, compared to 2,35,511 loans totaling Rs 78,738 crore approved as of November 1, 2021.
The program, which enables MSMEs to receive working capital loans or term loans without collateral ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 crore with in-principle bank clearance in 59 minutes, was introduced in November 2018. The borrower’s details and supporting papers determine how quickly the loan will be disbursed.
The borrower may be able to get a loan under the CGTMSE plan even if there is no collateral; however, this is at the lender’s discretion, and collateral may be required as per the guidelines. To apply for a loan, borrowers must provide information about their firm ownership, bank statements, and GST and income tax filings.
News Updated Date: 14th November 2022
SIDBI collaborates with several organizations to market energy-efficient technology to MSMEs
Intending to assist MSMEs in adopting energy efficiency in their operations and also contribute to India’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030 targets, the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has signed numerous Memorandums of Understanding (MoU).
It has a contract that guarantees loans from commercial banks or non-banking financial institutions with the German development agency Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. The Technology Information, Forecasting, and Assessment Council (TIFAC) and MSMEs also agreed to discover scalable, green, and clean technology Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and SIDBI are also working together to promote clean-and-green initiatives and implement them through SIDBI’s funding programs.
News Updated Date: 29th September 2022
SIDBI to Improve Credit Flow to MSMEs, to refinance Andhra Pragathi Grameena Bank
The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and the Andhra Pragathi Grameena Bank (APGB) decide to have a partnership to extend refinancing facilities. This, they did, with the view to boost the flow of credit to micro, small and medium enterprises. APGB general manager P. R. Padgetwar and SIDBI, Vijayawada deputy general manager P. Rajendra Prasad signed and exchanged the MOU as per a statement the SIDBI released recently.
According to SIDBI, Hyderabad deputy general manager Thota Vidyasagar, who published the release, APGB started its operations in 2006. It began by lending to self-help groups and small-scale farmers. Gradually, it expanded its operations. SIDBI is proud to be its partner in its attempts to strengthen Indian MSMEs. APGB is the first regional bank to collaborate with SIDBI and it plans to expand its operations to other banks, he said.
News Updated Date: 17th August 2022
SIDBI and SVC Bank come together to refinance credit lines to MSMEs
SIDBI is an institution that provides financial support to small financial institutions and banks which in turn lends out money to various MSMEs which have many aspirational projects and could thus boost the economy. The agreement was signed by MD Ashish Singhal of SVC Bank and GM Sanjeev Gupta of SIDBI in Mumbai.
In Jan of 2022, SIDBI stated that they will be giving out Rs 650 cr for 2 banks – Jana Small Finance Bank and AU Small Finance Bank through the bid of Rs 16,000 cr which RBI had sanctioned last year for helping out MSMEs. MD Ashish Singhal stated that the bank has been helping MSMEs since its inception back in 1906 and is working towards the government’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
News Updated Date: 09th August 2022
SIDBI Announces Complete Digitization of Credit Operations
SIDBI announced end-to-end digitization of its Direct Lending operations. The MSMEs will now have a seamless experience while availing funding from SIDBI as the entire process flow, viz. submission of online application, e-signing of application, registration process, execution of documents, etc., has been fully digitized. The digitization initiatives have also helped strengthen the banks’ due diligence process. In addition, the digitization of lending operations shall help bring down the overall turnaround time of credit delivery, helping SIDBI improve its outreach. SIDBI also announced a structured initiative called “Voices from the Field” to gather feedback from the major client groups of SIDBI – which comprises MSMEs, NBFCs, and Micro Finance Institutions. SIDBI is also identifying a few handicraft clusters all over the country under its “PROJECT CARE.” Officials from SIDBI will closely associate with entrepreneurs and mentor them, providing all required guidance.
News Updated Date: 13-04-2022
Prayaas Scheme of SIDBI Disbursed More Than 276 Crore Loans to 18000 Small Entrepreneurs
Disbursement of over 276 crore loans to more than 18000 small entrepreneurs is recorded under the Prayaas Scheme of Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). The development bank allotted Rs 1000 crores for loan purposes under this program with an interest of not more than 13%. This Scheme provides loans up to 5 lakhs to micro and women entrepreneurs in partnership with intermediaries to support their livelihood activities.
In August 2021, SIDBI also introduced Digital Prayaas Scheme. SIDBI partnered with Bigbasket under this program to provide onboarding facilities and loans for purchasing e-vans or e-bikes to its delivery partners across India. SIDBI also decided on the financial assistance of Rs 650 crores for micro and small enterprises in rural areas. Recent schemes by SIDBI have been launched for the recovery of MSMEs after Covid-19.
News Updated Date: 05-04-2022
COVID Impact on MSMEs – 67% of Them Were Temporarily Closed
During the pandemic period of FY21, 67 percent of MSMEs temporarily closed their doors, while 50 percent saw an income decline of more than 25 percent due to the outbreak of the COVID 19. MSME Minister Narayan Rane gave the responsibility to SIDBI to survey the MSMEs to understand and make up for the losses they suffered. A random sample of 1029 MSMEs was picked for the survey and forwarded the final report to the Ministry on January 27, 2022. He commented that stable fixed costs and decreased revenue caused declines in profit margins of the MSMEs. He also added that 65% of those MSMEs that had been a part of that survey availed the credit scheme, and 36% took loans under the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE).
Updated Date: 25-02-2022
SIDBI’s Loan Scheme for MSMEs Covers 93% Loan Disbursals till November, 2021
In November 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a 59-minute in-principle loan approval scheme for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Up till November 2021, 93% of the total loan applications have been sanctioned loans which comes up to 2,35,522 loans involving Rs.78,738 crore.
Loans equating to Rs.64,326 crore have been disbursed to 2,19,526 borrowers, which amounts to 81% of total loan disbursal. The period between October and March witnesses the highest amount of loan sanctions. This is pertaining to yearly festivities and the fact that MSMEs require more funding during this time. After March, banking audits are frequent; therefore, the lending rate declines.
The MSME loan approval scheme is provided in 59 minutes provided there is due diligence performed by the lender of the borrower’s choice. The in-principle loan disbursement takes about 7 to 8 working days. SBI, Bank of Baroda, ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Punjab National Bank are some of the banks that have presently partnered with the scheme.
Updated Date: 15-11-2021
Assam and SIDBI strengthen ties to boost MSMEs
SIDBI or Small Industries Development Bank of India has recently participated in an event that took place at Administrative Staff College in Guwahati in the state of Assam for strengthening the cooperation of the state. It was chaired by the CM of Assam Mr. Himanta Biswa Sarma. In the function, Dwivedi who is the Principal Secretary of Industries & Commerce has expectations on the themes such as cluster development, startups, livelihood and the promotion of enterprise. This project would be offering some assistance in loans that would be given under SCDF which extends to the Assam government. It is hoped that the MSME cluster could be upgraded using the facilities available for infrastructure.
Updated Date: 24-09-2021
Tamil Nadu Government to Get Loan from SIDBI to Upgrade Its MSME Cluster
Tamil Nadu has become the first state to receive approval for the funds that were announced by SIDBI recently. The Tamil Nadu Government plans to invest those funds to upgrade the MSME cluster that already exists and develop industrial infrastructural facilities that currently don’t exist. The Tamil Nadu Government is the first government to receive approval. A lot relies on how efficiently they are utilized as it would affect future lending.
Neither SIDBI nor the Tamil Nadu Government has mentioned the number of funds that have been approved and the tenure of the loan. Sivasubramanian Ramann, the IA&AS of SIDBI, has assured that all the assistance will be given to the MSME cluster of Tamil Nadu so that they can emerge sustainably vibrant and on the top of the value chain. Sivasubramanian Ramann is also the Chairman and MD of SIDBI. He added that the funds would also support issues like:
- Technology
- Skilling/Upskilling
- Energy Efficiency
- Market
- Credit
Updated Date: 06-09-2021