What is TREAD — Women Entrepreneurship Grants?
TREAD (Trade Related Entrepreneurship Assistance and Development) is a Ministry of MSME scheme specifically designed to empower women from rural and semi-urban areas to start income-generating activities and micro-enterprises. The scheme provides a 30% grant on loans given to women through NGOs: Loan amount range: Up to ₹30 lakh to a group of women / NGO for lending to individual women members. Government pays 30% grant directly to the lending institution (NABARD/SIDBI/other lending agencies), reducing the loan principal. The remaining 70% is lent to women at subsidized rates. Activities covered: Any legitimate income-generating activities — handicrafts, small manufacturing, services, food processing, horticulture, animal husbandry, etc. NGO plays a crucial role: identifies women beneficiaries, trains them, ensures proper utilization, and provides credit guarantee. An integrated non-formal training and counselling component is also funded.
TREAD — Women Entrepreneurship Grants — Quick Overview
| Scheme Name | TREAD Scheme 2026 — Trade Related Entrepreneurship Assistance & Development for Women: 30% Grant on ₹30 Lakh Loan |
| Launched By | Government of India |
| Launch Year | 1998 |
| Benefit | 30% government grant on loan (reducing repayment burden by 30%) + Loan amount up to ₹30 lakh through NGO channel + Training and counseling support + Covers any income-generating activity |
| Category | Women |
| Last Verified | 27 May 2026 |
| Official Portal | https://msme.gov.in |
Benefits of TREAD — Women Entrepreneurship Grants
30% government grant on loan (reducing repayment burden by 30%) + Loan amount up to ₹30 lakh through NGO channel + Training and counseling support + Covers any income-generating activity
Who is Eligible for TREAD — Women Entrepreneurship Grants?
- ✓Women from rural/semi-urban areas wanting to start income-generating activities
- ✓Women organized into groups through NGOs (individual applications are NOT eligible — must be through NGO)
- ✓NGO must be registered and have at least 3 years of experience in women development programmes
- ✓No income bar — priority to BPL women
- ✓Women of all ages (no strict age limit)
- ✓Activity must be legitimate income-generating (no luxury goods, alcohol, tobacco production)
Documents Required for TREAD — Women Entrepreneurship Grants
How to Apply for TREAD — Women Entrepreneurship Grants Online?
- 1Women should contact their nearest MSME registered NGO or women's SHG network
- 2NGO prepares project proposal covering: group of women, activity, loan amount needed, training plan
- 3NGO submits application to SIDBI/NABARD/state scheduled commercial bank empanelled for TREAD
- 4Lending institution appraises project → forwards 30% grant claim to DC-MSME office
- 5Grant approved → 30% deposited with lending institution → 70% lent to women group through NGO
- 6Training component: DC-MSME provides non-formal training through its field institutes (MSME-TIs)
Official Government Portal
Applications go through msme.gov.in only. Applying is free of charge — no agent, middleman or "consultant" is ever required.
🔗Apply on msme.gov.in