The Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes provides financial support to entrepreneurs from the SC community. You can access funding to start and grow your business ventures.
Last updated on: February 12, 2026
The Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes was launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. The scheme was announced in the Interim Budget Speech on 17 February 2014. It became operational on 16 January 2015, with an initial corpus of ₹200 crore, managed by IFCI Venture Capital Ltd.
The fund provides financial assistance between ₹10 lakh and ₹15 crore. You can use this support for projects in manufacturing, services, and allied sectors. The scheme promotes innovation and business growth among entrepreneurs from the Scheduled Castes community.
The Venture Capital Fund for SCs helps you build sustainable businesses. You can create employment opportunities in various parts of India. This initiative supports financial inclusion and entrepreneurship development among Scheduled Castes.
The Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes supports SC entrepreneurs in starting and growing businesses. You can access financial help and develop innovative projects across various sectors.
You can receive financial assistance ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹15 crore
You may use the fund for projects in manufacturing, services, and allied sectors
You will pay a concessional interest rate of 8.5% per annum
You can repay the amount over 10 years with a moratorium of up to 3 years
You must hold a minimum 51% shareholding in your business venture
You do not need collateral security for projects up to ₹5 crore
You can build sustainable businesses and generate employment opportunities
The Venture Capital Fund for SCs has specific conditions for applicants. You must meet these requirements to access the scheme.
You must be an entrepreneur from the Scheduled Castes community
You must hold at least 51% shareholding in the proposed project
Your project must be in manufacturing, services, or allied sectors
You must submit a detailed project report and business plan
You must possess necessary educational or professional qualifications for the business
You must not have pending legal cases related to financial fraud or default
Exclusions
You cannot apply for projects in speculative activities, real estate, or gambling
You cannot access the fund with less than 51% SC entrepreneur shareholding
You are not eligible if you have a history of financial default or fraud
You cannot receive support for projects outside manufacturing, services, or allied sectors
You must submit certain documents to apply for the Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes. These documents verify your eligibility and project details.
Proof of Scheduled Castes certificate issued by a competent authority
Detailed project report and business plan
Educational or professional qualification certificates relevant to your proposed business
Identity proof and address proof
PAN card and Aadhaar card
Bank account details
Project cost estimate and financial projections
Any other documents requested by IFCI Venture Capital Funds Ltd
You can apply for the Venture Capital Fund for SCs through a simple process. Follow these steps to complete your application online.
Visit the official application portal at https://www.vcfsc.in/apply-online.html
Register and create an account on the portal
Fill in the application form with your personal and project details
Upload all required documents as per the checklist
Submit your application and keep a copy for future reference
Track your application status through the portal
The following table highlights some of the most popular central government schemes in India:
| Scheme Name | Purpose |
|---|---|
Venture Capital Fund for Backward Classes (VCF-BC) |
Provides concessional finance to promote entrepreneurship among Other Backward Classes (OBCs) for innovative business projects. |
Credit Enhancement Guarantee Scheme for Scheduled Castes (CEGSC) |
Offers credit guarantee to Scheduled Castes entrepreneurs to improve access to loans from banks and financial institutions. |
Facilitates bank loans to SC/ST and women entrepreneurs for greenfield enterprises in manufacturing, services, or trading. |
|
Ambedkar Social Innovation & Incubation Mission (ASIIM) |
Incubates innovative ideas from SC students and young entrepreneurs with equity funding up to ₹30 lakh. |
Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Tribes (VCF-ST) |
Delivers concessional finance to Scheduled Tribes entrepreneurs for business startups and growth. |
The following table highlights some of the most popular state government schemes in India:
| State | Scheme Name | Scheme Name Purpose |
|---|---|---|
Karnataka |
Interest Subsidy Scheme for SC/ST Entrepreneurs |
Provides interest subsidy on loans for SC/ST entrepreneurs in food processing, manufacturing, and services |
Karnataka |
4% Interest Subsidy Scheme for SC/ST Entrepreneurs |
Offers interest subsidy on bank loans for SC/ST entrepreneurs through Karnataka State Financial Corporation |
Tripura |
Scheme of Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes |
Supports SC entrepreneurs with venture capital funding for business ventures |
The Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes offers crucial support to entrepreneurs from the Scheduled Castes community, enabling them to start and grow businesses in various sectors. This scheme provides financial assistance, concessional rates, and flexible repayment options. For those seeking additional funding solutions, Bajaj Markets offers business loan products tailored to meet diverse financial needs. These loans can help bridge gaps and support further growth beyond the Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes.
Reviewer
Your business must be incorporated as a company, partnership firm, or cooperative society. You cannot apply if you operate as a sole proprietorship or Limited Liability Partnership (LLP). The Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes does not provide financial assistance to these business structures.
You must maintain the minimum 51% Scheduled Caste shareholding continuously for at least one year. This requirement applies before you apply for financial assistance exceeding ₹50,00,000. You need to provide proof of this continuous shareholding pattern.
You must submit a copy of the official sanction letter or agreement. This document should come from the central or state department providing the subsidy. You need this as mandatory proof of your subsidy arrangement.
You cannot apply directly if you operate as a proprietorship firm or LLP. You must restructure your business as a company, partnership firm, or cooperative society. Only these legal entities can access the Venture Capital Fund for SCs.