Tamil Nadu Women Entrepreneurs Empowerment Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Tamil Nadu has launched the Tamil Nadu Women Entrepreneur Empowerment Scheme (TWEES) to promote women entrepreneurship and support them in starting new small businesses. Under this scheme, eligible women entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 55 years, who are permanent residents of Tamil Nadu and hold a family ration card, can access bank loans of up to Rs 10 lakh through District Industries Centres (DICs) and the Regional Joint Director of Industries and Commerce in Chennai.The scheme provides a 25% capital subsidy on the project cost, subject to a maximum of Rs 2 lakh.

The bank releases 95% of the project cost as a loan first, and then claims the 25% subsidy from the government. Applicants are required to contribute a minimum of 5% as a promoter contribution. The scheme has no educational qualification or income ceiling, making it widely accessible. Only one member per family is eligible, and preference is given to SC/ST individuals, transgender persons, persons with disabilities, widows or destitute widows, and women from BPL families.

The loans can be used to establish or expand enterprises in manufacturing, service, or business sectors, excluding direct agriculture activities and certain restricted MSME policy categories. Beneficiaries also receive entrepreneurship development training covering business management, financial literacy, and product development to strengthen their entrepreneurial skills.

This initiative is implemented at the district level by District Industries Centres across Tamil Nadu and the Regional Joint Director of Industries and Commerce in Chennai. The scheme aims to promote self-employment, strengthen women-led enterprises, and enhance financial independence among women across the state.

Scheme Benefits

• Eligible women can get bank loans up to Rs 10 lakh to start or expand small businesses
• The scheme provides a 25% subsidy on the loan amount, with a maximum subsidy of Rs 2 lakh. receive
• Entrepreneurship and skill training, including:
  • Business management
  • Financial literacy
  • Product development

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicant must be a woman or transgender and a domicile resident of Tamil Nadu.
• Applicants must possess a ration card.
• Applicants' age must be between 18 and 55 years.
• No educational qualification required.
• No income ceiling
• Project cost: Maximum up to Rs 10 lakh
• Capital subsidy: 25% of project cost, subject to a maximum of Rs 2 lakh
• Interest subvention: Not applicable
• Minimum promoter contribution: 5% of the total project cost
• Only one member per family is eligible
• Only new enterprises are eligible. Exception: KKT (Kalaignar Kanavu Thittam) top-up beneficiaries may avail a loan for expansion  
• Priority beneficiaries include:
  • SC/ST individuals
  • Transgender persons
  • Persons with disabilities
  • Widows / destitute widows
  • Women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families

Required Documents

• Aadhaar card
• Ration card
• Detailed project report
• Community certificate
• Vendor quotation with GST registration number
• Passport-size color photograph
• Bank passbook copy
• Affidavit
• Optional Educational Documents (Not mandatory)
• If Applicable (Special Categories):
  • (Disability certificate / Transgender certificate / Widow or destitute widow certificate / BPL certificate)

Implementing Agencies

• The scheme is implemented at the district level by:
  • District Industries Centres (DICs) in respective districts
  • Regional Joint Director of Industries and Commerce (for Chennai region)

Steps to Apply

• First, visit the official portal of MSME online TN and click on "SCHEMES" and select the TWEES.
• Now the official portal of Tamil Nadu Women Enterpreneurs Empowerment Scheme(TWEES) will open in your screen.
• Here you can check the guidelines and other details on the different sections.
• After reconfirming the information, click on the Apply Online section and select "New Application" to register yourself or log in if you have an account.
• After logging in, proceed to the application form.
• Fill in personal details along with educational qualification and employment exchange registration details (if applicable).
• Provide Aadhaar number, mobile number, email ID, and complete permanent communication address.
• Fill scheme eligibility details such as previous government loan usage, skill training requirement, and business category (manufacturing, service, or business).
• Add information about the proposed business, previous experience (if any), and the expansion loan requirement.
• Enter estimated cost for machinery, working capital, other fixed assets, and total project cost.
• Provide bank account number, bank name, branch, district, and IFSC code.
• Upload Aadhaar card, identity proof (if applicable), community certificate (if required), project report, and GST quotation.
• Finally, verify all details carefully and submit the application.

Post Application Process

• After submitting the application, the District Industries Centre (DIC) will verify it.
• Successful applicants will receive a call letter to attend the interview.
• Based on your interview, your application is forwarded to a suitable bank.
• The bank evaluates your proposal. If satisfied, the loan is officially sanctioned and approved.
• After loan sanction, you receive a call letter for EDII Training.
• This training is a compulsory part of the process.
• You have to attend the training programme conducted by EDII.
• It builds your entrepreneurial and business management skills.
• On completing the training, you are awarded an EDII certificate.
• This certificate is proof of your successful completion.
• Submit the EDII certificate and other required documents to the bank.
• The loan amount is then transferred directly to you.
• Bank submits subsidy claim to the District Industries Centre (DIC)
• Subsidy disbursement by the District Industries Centre (DIC)

Relevant Links

• Tamil Nadu MSME Portal
• Tamil Nadu Women Entrepreneurs Empowerment Scheme Portal.
• TN Women Entrepreneur Empowerment Scheme Registration
• TN Women Entrepreneur Empowerment Scheme Applicant Login
• TN Women Entrepreneur Empowerment Application Status.
• Tamil Nadu Women Entrepreneurs Empowerment Scheme Application Process.
• TN Women Entrepreneurs Empowerment Scheme Guidelines

Contact Information

• TN MSME Department Contact Details