Safai Karamchari General Term Loan (GTL) 2026: Up to 90% Loan, Max ₹15 Lakh at 6% Interest
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Quick answer
The scheme offers term loans up to 90% of the project cost, with a maximum unit cost of ₹15 lakh, at a 6% interest rate. It is available to Safai Karamcharis, manual scavengers, their dependents, and eligible groups such as co-operative societies and associations. Applications can be made offline or online through State Channelising Agencies, RRBs or nationalised banks.
At a glance
| Main benefit | Up to 90% loan, max ₹15 lakh |
| Ministry / department | Ministry Of Social Justice and Empowerment |
| Level | Central Government |
| Age | 18 years and above |
| Application mode | Online & offline |
About the scheme
The Safai Karamchari General Term Loan (GTL) is a central sector scheme by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment aimed at providing financial assistance to Safai Karamcharis, manual scavengers and their dependents for setting up income-generating activities. Under the scheme, term loans covering up to 90% of the project cost are available, with a ceiling of ₹15 lakh per unit and an interest rate of 6%. Loans are channelised through State Channelising Agencies, Regional Rural Banks and nationalised banks, and can be used for any viable business, including sanitation-related initiatives.
Benefits
- Term loan up to 90% of unit cost
- Maximum unit cost ₹15.00 lakh
- Interest rate 6% per annum
- Financing for any viable income-generating scheme, including sanitation-related activities
- Loans disbursed through State Channelising Agencies (SCA), Regional Rural Banks (RRB) and Nationalised Banks
Who can apply (eligibility)
- Safai Karamcharis (including waste pickers), identified manual scavengers and their dependents
- Registered co-operative societies of the target group
- Legally constituted association/firm promoted by the target group
- Individuals producing a certificate from local Revenue Officer, Municipal Officer, Cantonment Executive Officer, Railway Officer, Head of Government Department (Gazetted Officer) or equivalent authority
- Mukhia/Sarpanch/President or equivalent authority competent to issue Occupation Certificate for Safai Karamcharis/dependents
- Under the Manual Scavengers Act, 2013, a person identified as manual scavenger in a survey need not produce a certificate once his/her name appears in the final list
Who cannot apply
- Domestic workers
- Persons not belonging to Safai Karamchari, manual scavenger or dependent categories (i.e., all unorganized workers outside the target group)
Documents required
- Certificate from local Revenue Officer / Municipal Officer / Cantonment Executive Officer / Railway Officer / Head of Government Department (Gazetted Officer) or equivalent authority
- Occupation Certificate issued by Mukhia/Sarpanch/President or equivalent authority
- For manual scavengers identified in government survey, no certificate is required (name appears in final list)
- Any additional documents required by the lending bank/SCA (e.g., project report, identity proof)
How to apply
- 1Approach the nearest State Channelising Agency (SCA), Regional Rural Bank (RRB) or Nationalised Bank branch.
- 2Obtain the application form for the General Term Loan (GTL) scheme.
- 3Fill in the form and attach the required documents as per eligibility.
- 4Submit the completed application to the bank/SCA for verification.
- 5Await sanction and loan disbursement after verification of project viability.
Frequently asked questions
What is moratorium period?+
A moratorium period refers to a particular period of a loan tenure during which the borrower does not have to repay anything. It can be described as a waiting period before the borrower will have to start paying the equated monthly installments (EMIs) for his or her loan
Does the scheme provide loans to all Unorganized Workers persons?+
No, the scheme provides loans only to Safai Karamchari, Manual Scavengers and their dependants
How does the scheme provide assistance?+
Under this scheme, term loans are extended through State Channelising Agencies (SCA), Regional Rural Banks(RRBs) and Nationalised Banks to the target group.
Is there any income limit for the scheme?+
No, there is no such limit mentioned in the guidelines, however , other things being equal, NSKFDC accords priority to economic development and rehabilitation of:- i) Manual Scavengers and amongst scavengers those scavengers whose income is below double the poverty line; ii) Women from among the target group and iii) Disabled persons among the target group. * Financial viability, income generating capacity of the project etc. are considered while evaluating the projects for financing.
With what type of Projects can I avail this schemes?+
Any viable and income generating schemes are financed by NSKFDC to Safai Karamcharis, Scavengers and their dependents. As per the project proposals received from the SCAs, the following sectors are given priority by the target group:- Transport Small and Petty Business Non-land based schemes Sanitation based equipments
I am a Domestic Worker, am I eligible for the scheme?+
No, You are not eligible.
I am a Waste Picker, am I eligible for the scheme?+
Yes, You are eligible.
NaukriZila is not a government website. Apply only on the official portal; never pay anyone to apply for a government scheme. Source: myScheme (Government of India)