Starting a small business is not easy when money is limited. For young women in Jammu and Kashmir who want to start their own work or business, the Tejaswini Scheme provides a way to get financial support for a self-employment venture.
Tejaswini, also known as Tejaswini – The Radiant, is a livelihood scheme of Mission Youth, J&K. It is meant for young women who want to set up a business based on their skills, training and local opportunities. The scheme can cover activities in areas such as services, trading, manufacturing and other small businesses.
Under the scheme guidelines, eligible women can get a Mudra loan of up to ₹5 lakh through the banking partner. Mission Youth also provides a special incentive of ₹50,000 or 10% of the project cost, whichever is lower.
The scheme is therefore not simply a ₹5 lakh cash payment. The main financial support comes through a loan, along with the subsidy/incentive provided by Mission Youth.
What is the J&K Tejaswini Scheme?
The Tejaswini Scheme helps young women start or expand a small self-employment activity in Jammu and Kashmir.
The scheme can be used for setting up a new unit or, where permitted under the guidelines, for expansion or modernization of an existing unit. Financial support can also be used for fixed assets, equipment, and working capital connected with the proposed business.
The idea is fairly simple: a woman with a suitable business plan can seek financial assistance instead of having to arrange the entire project cost from her own savings.
The scheme is implemented through Mission Youth, J&K, with district-level authorities and the banking partner involved in the process. The District Udhampur administration also lists Tejaswini among the employment-related schemes available in the district.
Also Read: J&K Integrated Social Security Scheme (ISSS) 2026
How Much Financial Assistance Is Available?
The financial support under the scheme is provided through a loan.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Maximum loan/project assistance | Up to ₹5 lakh |
| Banking support | Mudra loan |
| Mission Youth incentive | ₹50,000 or 10% of project cost, whichever is lower |
| Nature of support | Loan plus special incentive |
| Target group | Young women of J&K |
| Main purpose | Self-employment and small business |
The bank can finance up to 100% of the project cost under the scheme, subject to its normal assessment process. If the total project cost is more than ₹5 lakh, the amount above ₹5 lakh has to be arranged by the applicant herself.
The Mission Youth incentive is adjusted towards the loan account and is meant to cover the monthly instalments for the first six months.
Who Can Apply for Tejaswini Scheme?
The scheme is meant for women who want to take up self-employment and meet the conditions in the scheme guidelines.
Some of the main conditions are:
- The applicant should be a female domicile of J&K.
- She should be registered with Mission Youth, J&K.
- The applicant should generally be between 18 and 35 years of age.
- She should have passed 10th standard or above.
- The beneficiary should be unemployed and registered with the concerned District Employment & Counseling Centre, subject to the conditions in the scheme.
- The applicant should not be a defaulter with a bank or financial institution.
- A woman can receive assistance under the scheme only once.
- The same unit should not have already received an incentive or subsidy under another government scheme.
- There is no family income criterion mentioned for eligibility under the scheme.
The guidelines also allow the Chief Executive Officer of Mission Youth to relax the educational qualification in deserving cases, based on proper justification.
For an enterprise where women entrepreneurs are involved, the guidelines require women entrepreneurs to hold at least 50% of the financial holding.
What Businesses Are Covered?
Tejaswini is not limited to one particular type of business.
The scheme guidelines list several activities, including:
- Canteen and restaurant
- Computerized desktop publishing
- Crèche
- Cyber café
- Beauty parlour
- Day care centre
- Laundry and dry cleaning
- Mobile repairing
- Photocopying centre
- Boutique and tailoring
- Training institute
- Fitness centre
- Yoga centre
Other profitable activities, micro-startups and small business units of a similar nature may also be considered under the scheme.
The proposed activity should still be suitable for the applicant and supported by a proper project plan.
Also Check: J&K Marriage Assistance Scheme 2026
What Documents Are Needed?
Applicants need to submit documents along with the application and project details.
The Tejaswini guidelines specifically mention:
- J&K Domicile Certificate, Ration Card or Aadhaar Card
- Date of Birth Certificate
- Project Report for the proposed business
- Affidavit stating that the applicant will continue the trade for at least five years or until the loan is fully repaid, whichever is later
The selected applicant may also have to provide an indemnity bond attested by a First Class Judicial Magistrate. The bond includes declarations relating to employment and previous financial assistance for self-employment.
Because the application is linked to a business project, the project report is an important part of the application. Applicants should prepare their business details and estimated cost carefully rather than submitting an incomplete proposal.
How to Apply for the J&K Tejaswini Scheme?
The scheme guidelines provide for online applications from interested young women of J&K. Applications are to be submitted digitally through the designated module on the J&K e-Governance platform.
The application process can be understood in the following way.
1. Check Your Eligibility
First, make sure you meet the age, education, domicile, employment, and other requirements of the scheme.
2. Prepare Your Business Plan
Decide what business you want to start and work out the estimated project cost.
A proper project report is required with the application, so keep details of the proposed activity, expenses, and other project information ready.
3. Submit the Online Application
The scheme guidelines provide for digital submission of applications through the designated J&K e-Governance platform.
Applicants should use the current application facility made available by Mission Youth and follow the instructions shown there.
4. Submit the Required Documents
Upload or submit the required documents along with the application and project report.
Make sure the name, date of birth, and other personal details match the supporting documents.
5. District-Level Scrutiny
Applications received at the district level are considered by a committee that includes officials such as the Deputy Commissioner, General Manager DIC, Employment Department representative, District Social Welfare Officer and Lead Bank Manager, among others.
The committee examines the applications and selects eligible candidates according to the district quota allotted by Mission Youth.
6. Bank Processing
After approval, the case is sent for loan processing. The scheme guidelines state that the District Lead Bank Officer should ensure processing and disbursement of the loan within 15 days after approval by the District Level Implementation Committee (DLIC).
The bank still carries out its normal assessment before providing the finance.
Is the Tejaswini Scheme a Free ₹5 Lakh Grant?
No.
This is one point applicants should understand before applying.
The ₹5 lakh is the maximum financial assistance through the loan arrangement, not a free cash grant deposited into the applicant’s account.
Mission Youth provides a special incentive of ₹50,000 or 10% of the project cost, whichever is lower, which is adjusted towards the loan instalments for the first six months.
The loan has to be repaid according to the terms of the banking arrangement.
Is There Any Interest Support?
Yes. The scheme guidelines provide for an interest subsidy up to ₹60,000 per beneficiary.
This support is subject to the conditions in the scheme. The guidelines mention documents such as a bank statement, income-tax statement or a certificate from the District Level Implementation Committee as proof of the sustainability of the business activity.
The maximum interest subsidy available under the scheme is ₹60,000 per beneficiary.
What Happens After the Loan Is Approved?
Getting the loan is not the end of the process.
The selected beneficiary is expected to establish the approved business and use the sanctioned amount for the purpose mentioned in the project report.
The scheme also has a monitoring system. Beneficiaries may have to submit business records such as GST statements, bank statements or accounts statements as required under the guidelines. These records help show that the business is actually operating.
If the money is used for a purpose other than the approved business activity, action can be taken under the scheme rules.
Important Things to Know Before Applying
Before filling out the application, it is worth checking a few things.
- Make sure you meet the 18–35 years age requirement.
- Keep your J&K domicile proof ready.
- Check that your educational qualification meets the requirement.
- Prepare a realistic project report.
- Make sure you are not a bank or financial institution defaulter.
- Check whether you or the proposed unit has already received a government subsidy for the same purpose.
- Remember that the financial assistance is linked to a loan, not a free ₹5 lakh grant.
- Keep the required affidavit and other documents ready.
- Use the money only for the approved self-employment activity.
The business should also be something that you can realistically operate and sustain. The scheme guidelines require the beneficiary to continue the trade for at least five years or until the loan is fully repaid, whichever is later.
Important Links
| Apply for J&K Tejaswini Scheme | https://missionyouth.jk.gov.in/Registrations/Tejaswani |
| Mission Youth (MY), J&K Portal | https://missionyouth.jk.gov.in/ |