PM Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi), the flagship micro-credit scheme of the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA), has completed six years of empowering street vendors through affordable collateral-free credit, digital inclusion and social security.
The impact of the scheme over the last six years has been transformative in every aspect. To put things into perspective, 34.81 lakh women street vendors have been empowered under the PM SVANidhi scheme, 51.84 lakh loans have been disbursed to women street vendors across the country, and 55 lakh street vendors have been digitally onboarded. Additionally, the scheme has also recorded a 20% annual increase in average beneficiary incomes while more than 30% of the street vendors have accessed credit beyond the loans offered by the scheme.
Prime Minister highlights six years of PM SVANidhi scheme and extends best wishes to beneficiaries
PM Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi), the flagship micro-credit scheme of the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA), has completed six years of empowering street vendors through affordable collateral-free credit, digital inclusion and social security.
Since its launch in June 2020, PM SVANidhi has emerged as a transformative initiative for street vendors which has facilitated access to formal credit and enabling beneficiaries to strengthen and expand their livelihoods. The scheme has also facilitated more than 1.05 crore loan sanctions amounting to over ₹17,800 crore, benefiting street vendors across the country.
Key Features of the PM SVANidhi Scheme
- Working Capital Loan: Collateral-free loans of ₹15,000, ₹25,000, and ₹50,000 are provided in three progressive tranches with interest subsidy and credit guarantee support.
- UPI-linked RuPay Credit Cards: Vendors successfully repaying the second tranche are eligible for UPI-linked RuPay Credit Cards with limits up to ₹30,000.
- Digital Adoption: Cashback incentives of up to ₹1,600 are provided to street vendors for retail/wholesale digital transactions to encourage digital adoption and financial literacy.
- SVANidhi se Samriddhi (SSS): Socio-economic profiling of beneficiaries and their families is undertaken to link them with eight selected Central welfare schemes and create a holistic social security net.
- Capacity Building & Entrepreneurship Development: Vendors are provided with training in financial literacy, digital literacy, and food safety & hygiene in collaboration with FSSAI.
- The scheme's lending period has been extended until March 2030, with an aim to benefit 1.15 crore street vendors, including 50 lakh new beneficiaries.
- Implementing Agency: The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) functions as the technical and implementation partner, managing the credit guarantee trust fund.
'SVANidhi se Samriddhi': To elevate the scheme from mere credit provision to a holistic welfare net, the MoHUA launched the 'SVANidhi se Samriddhi' initiative.
- Objective: To map the socio-economic profile of PM SVANidhi beneficiaries and their families and facilitate their access to 8 core central government welfare schemes.
- Schemes Covered: Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), PM Jan Dhan Yojana, Registration under Building and other Construction Workers (BoCW), PM Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana, One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC), Janani Suraksha Yojana, and PM Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY).
Impact of the PM SVANidhi Scheme
- Independent impact assessments of PM SVANidhi were conducted in 2023 and 2025. The studies highlighted the following significant improvements:
- Economic Empowerment: The scheme has strengthened business sustainability and improved earnings for vendors across the country. Nearly 95% of beneficiaries accessed formal institutional credit for the first time under PM SVANidhi. Around 30% later accessed additional credit beyond SVANidhi loans, reflecting improved creditworthiness and financial inclusion. Beneficiary incomes also recorded an average annual increase of nearly 20%.
- Improvement in Household Welfare: The economic gains under PM SVANidhi contributed significantly to improving beneficiaries’ living standards. The scheme supported greater housing stability and improved access to nutritious food, healthcare and education.
PM SVANidhi has also strengthened social inclusion among vulnerable urban communities. Nearly 46% of beneficiaries under the scheme are women, reflecting strong gender inclusion. Around 70% belong to marginalised communities, highlighting the scheme’s inclusive outreach.
