First-Time Entrepreneur? Here is How to Get Your MSME Loan Approved
Can First-Time Entrepreneurs Get an MSME Loan in India?
Starting a business is an exciting milestone, but arranging the required funding can be one of the biggest challenges for first-time entrepreneurs. While you may have an innovative idea, a clear vision, and the determination to succeed, you may not yet have a business credit history, filed income tax returns, or valuable assets to offer as collateral. These factors often make aspiring business owners believe that obtaining an MSME loan is out of reach.
Many new entrepreneurs assume that banks only finance businesses with an established track record. Although lenders do consider financial credibility during the approval process, a lack of business history does not automatically mean your loan application will be rejected.
Over the years, India has significantly strengthened its MSME financing ecosystem by introducing government-backed loan schemes, credit guarantee programmes, and digital lending platforms that simplify the borrowing process. These initiatives are designed to encourage entrepreneurship by making business financing more accessible for first-time applicants.
Understanding MSME loan eligibility, selecting the right government scheme, and preparing a well-structured business plan can greatly improve your chances of securing an entrepreneur loan. With the right preparation and documentation, starting your business with financial support is more achievable than ever before.
Government Schemes That Open the Door to an Entrepreneur Loan
MUDRA: The Starting Point for Most First-Time Entrepreneurs
The Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana, commonly known as PMMY, is the most widely accessible entrepreneur loan programme in India. It offers collateral-free loans to non-farm micro and small enterprises through banks, NBFCs, and microfinance institutions.
MUDRA structures its lending across four categories. Shishu covers loans up to Rs. 50,000 for businesses at the very beginning. Kishore covers Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 5 lakhs for enterprises with early traction. Tarun covers Rs. 5 lakhs to Rs. 10 lakhs for businesses looking to scale. Tarun Plus extends to Rs. 20 lakhs for those with a record of repaying prior MUDRA loans. Over 52 crore MUDRA loans have been sanctioned since the scheme was launched, totalling more than Rs. 33.65 lakh crore, with over 68% going to women borrowers.
Starting with a Shishu or Kishore loan and repaying it consistently builds the business credit history that supports a larger MSME loan or working capital loan application later.
PMEGP: Government Subsidy to Support New Entrepreneurs
The Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) is a government initiative that combines bank financing with a capital subsidy to help individuals start new businesses. The scheme primarily supports unemployed youth, first-generation entrepreneurs, and artisans who wish to establish manufacturing or service enterprises.
Under PMEGP, the maximum project cost is ₹50 lakh for manufacturing units and ₹20 lakh for service businesses. Applicants are required to contribute 5% to 10% of the project cost, while the remaining amount is financed by the lending institution. Depending on the applicant's category and location, the government provides a subsidy ranging from 15% to 35%, reducing the overall repayment burden. Women entrepreneurs, SC/ST applicants, and businesses located in rural or hilly areas are eligible for higher subsidy benefits.
For aspiring entrepreneurs looking to reduce both their initial investment and overall borrowing cost, PMEGP is one of the most beneficial government-backed MSME loan schemes available.
CGTMSE: Making Collateral-Free MSME Loans Possible
The Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) is a government-backed credit guarantee scheme that encourages banks and financial institutions to provide collateral-free loans to eligible MSMEs. Instead of offering direct financial assistance, the scheme reduces the lender's risk by providing guarantee coverage against loan defaults.
Under CGTMSE, the government guarantees a significant portion of the outstanding loan amount, enabling banks to confidently finance first-time entrepreneurs and small businesses that may not have sufficient collateral or an established credit history. As announced in the Union Budget 2025, the loan limit under CGTMSE has been enhanced to ₹10 crore for eligible borrowers, expanding access to formal credit for growing MSMEs.
Entrepreneurs are not required to submit a separate application for the guarantee. When applying for an MSME loan through a participating bank, NBFC, or digital lending platform, they can simply request that their loan be processed under the CGTMSE scheme. Today, most Public Sector Banks and several private financial institutions offer loans covered by this government-backed guarantee programme.
Building a Business Plan That Lenders Will Actually Approve
What Your Business Plan Must Cover for an MSME Loan Application
For a first-time entrepreneur, the business plan does more work than any other document in the application. Since lenders cannot review years of operating data, they use the plan to assess whether you understand your market and have a realistic view of repayment.
A business plan submitted alongside an MSME loan application should cover your business model and the specific gap it addresses in the market, a clear description of your target customer and how you plan to reach them, a detailed breakdown of how the working capital loan or term loan will be used, projected revenue and expenditure for the next two to three years, and a monthly cash flow estimate mapped to your proposed repayment schedule.
Avoid overstated projections. Lenders assess dozens of business plans every week and can identify figures that are not grounded in market realities. A conservative, well-evidenced estimate carries more credibility than an ambitious one that does not hold up to basic scrutiny.
Working Capital Loans Versus Term Loans: Choosing the Right Product
This is a distinction many first-time applicants overlook, and getting it wrong creates repayment problems that compound quickly.
A working capital loan is for short-term operational needs: purchasing inventory, paying suppliers, covering payroll between receivable cycles, or managing a slow trading period. These loans have shorter tenures and are repaid as the business cycle completes. MUDRA loans, MSME overdraft facilities, and the recently introduced MSME credit card fall into this category.
A term loan is for longer-term capital investment: purchasing machinery, constructing a facility, or funding a significant expansion. Term loans carry fixed repayment schedules over several years, matched to assets that generate returns over time.
A first-time entrepreneur who uses a term loan for day-to-day operations will face repayment pressure before the business is ready for it. Identifying which product your business genuinely needs is a decision worth making carefully before you approach any lender.
Where and How to Apply for Your First MSME Loan
Platforms and Portals to Begin Your Application
For businesses wanting to compare loan offers across multiple lenders with faster digital processing, the PSB Loans in 59 Minutes platform connects registered MSMEs to over 21 banks and NBFCs. Business loans from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 5 crore can be applied for entirely online, with digital approval in under 59 minutes.
Before applying anywhere, register your business at udyamregistration.gov.in. A valid UDYAM number is a prerequisite for most government-backed MSME loan schemes, and without it, your application will not proceed at most lenders.
The process of obtaining your first entrepreneur loan in India requires you to demonstrate established business operations and provide valuable collateral assets. The process requires you to find the appropriate scheme that matches your current business stage while you present your business concept through an effective business plan and maintain your registration documents and personal financial records in proper condition for your application. The government ensures the establishment of infrastructure systems that enable access to digital lending platforms and provides financial support for various schemes. The process requires you to register for UDYAM while you develop your business plan and proceed from business planning to obtaining financial backing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get an MSME loan with no business credit history?
Yes. MUDRA, PMEGP, and CGTMSE-covered loans assess new businesses on business plan quality, market viability, and personal financial conduct rather than business credit history.
Do I need collateral for my first entrepreneur loan?
Not under MUDRA or CGTMSE-backed products. The government guarantee replaces the collateral requirement for most first-time applicants at participating lenders.
Is a business plan mandatory for every application?
A business plan is required for both PMEGP and most bank-assessed loans. The MUDRA Shishu applications need a simplified form, but a complete business plan will enhance their chances of success.
What is the minimum working capital loan amount available?
MUDRA Shishu loans begin at Rs. 50,000. On digital lending platforms, MSME loan products typically start from Rs. 1 lakh.
For more information go to the link https://www.psbloansin59minutes.com/knowledge-hub/first-time-entrepreneur-msme-loan-eligibility
