Finding a stable job is still a daily challenge for many young people in Sikkim. To change this, the Government has launched the Skilled Youth Start Up Scheme – a powerful opportunity for educated unemployed youth to become job creators instead of job seekers.
Under this Skilled Youth Startup Scheme Sikkim, eligible youth can start enterprises in manufacturing, services, agriculture, tourism and more with bank loans and generous government subsidy support.
✅ Subsidy up to 50% for BPL & PwDs and 35% for others on approved project cost.
✅ Maximum project cost up to ₹20 lakhs (category-wise).
✅ 3-day Entrepreneur Development Training before loan disbursement.
🌟 What is the Skilled Youth Start Up Scheme?
The Skilled Youth Start Up Scheme is a flagship self-employment programme of the Government of Sikkim. Its core purpose is to create equitable entrepreneurial opportunities across rural and urban areas.
It helps local youth set up their own manufacturing, service, business, cooperative, agriculture and allied ventures by combining bank loans with a back-ended subsidy of 50% for BPL & PwD applicants and 35% for others on the approved project cost.
🎯 Key Objectives of Skilled Youth Startup Scheme Sikkim
- 🌱 To promote entrepreneurship among local unemployed youth.
- 🏭 To encourage commercially viable ventures in sync with State policies.
- 🌾 To create self-employment in sectors like Agriculture, Horticulture, Food Processing, Animal Husbandry, Handloom & Handicrafts, Retail, Tourism, Services and Manufacturing.
- 💰 To support youth with a one-time, non-refundable subsidy of 50% or 35% on bank-approved project cost.
💡 Major Benefits of Skilled Youth Start Up Scheme
The Skilled Youth Startup Scheme Sikkim is designed to give young entrepreneurs both financial strength and practical training so they can start with confidence.
💰 1. Financial Assistance with Subsidy
- 🧾 Bank loan for an approved project under the scheme.
- 🎁 Back-ended subsidy of 35% or 50% from the State Government.
- 📊 Maximum project cost up to ₹20 lakhs, depending on the category.
📚 2. Entrepreneur Development Training
- 📘 A 3-day mandatory Entrepreneur Development Training (EDP) before loan disbursement.
- 🧠 Training covers basics of business planning, finance and sustainable operations.
♿ 3. Priority for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)
- 🌈 PwD applicants get preference under the scheme.
- 💯 Eligible for a 50% subsidy on the approved project cost.
🌍 4. Wide Range of Eligible Sectors
Some of the key sectors covered under the Skilled Youth Start Up Scheme are:
- 🐄 Dairy, poultry, piggery and other animal husbandry activities.
- 🌿 Organic farming, food processing and small manufacturing units.
- 🪵 Wood and bamboo crafts, handloom, handicrafts and cottage industries.
- 🏡 Rural homestays, tourism activities like paragliding and mountain cycling.
- 💻 IT services, tailoring units, coaching centres and training institutes.
- 🚗 Automobile workshops, garages, car spas and diagnostic centres.
👇 For more detailed official updates and notifications, check the full information from authorised sources.
👉 Read Full Details Here📋 Activities Covered & Maximum Project Cost
Below is a colourful summary of the main activities supported under the Skilled Youth Start Up Scheme and the maximum permissible project cost in each category:
| S. No. | Category / Activity | Maximum Project Cost (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Animal Husbandry – Dairy | 5,00,000 |
| 2 | Animal Husbandry – Poultry | 3,00,000 |
| 3 | Animal Husbandry – Piggery | 5,00,000 |
| 4 | Organic Farming – Green House | 3,00,000 |
| 5 | Food Processing & Other Manufacturing Units | 10,00,000 |
| 6 | Wood Handicraft & Cottage Industries | 10,00,000 |
| 7 | Metal Fabrication Works | 10,00,000 |
| 8 | Tourism – Paragliding, Mountain Cycling, etc. | 10,00,000 |
| 9 | Rural Homestays | 15,00,000 |
| 10 | IT & IT Enabled Services | 10,00,000 |
| 11 | Cutting & Tailoring (Cooperative Registered Societies) | 20,00,000 |
| 12 | Bakery & Restaurants | 15,00,000 |
| 13 | Beauty Parlours, Boutique, Grocery, Manihari & Other Retail Shops | 10,00,000 |
| 14 | Coaching Institutes / Training Centres | 5,00,000 |
| 15 | Herbal Products Industry including Nurseries | 10,00,000 |
| 16 | Paper Bags / Paper Plates Units | 10,00,000 |
| 17 | Bamboo-based Industry (Cane & Bamboo) | 10,00,000 |
| 18 | Automobile Workshop / Garage / Car Spa | 10,00,000 |
| 19 | Diagnostic Centres | 20,00,000 |
| 20 | Film Industry / Mini Film Auditorium (Excluding Construction) | 20,00,000 |
| 21 | Any Other Project Approved by the Committee | Nominal funding as decided |
📝 Note: Final sanction and eligibility under the Skilled Youth Startup Scheme Sikkim depend on bank appraisal and committee approval.
✅ Eligibility Criteria for Skilled Youth Start Up Scheme
To apply under the Skilled Youth Start Up Scheme, an applicant must meet the following conditions:
- 📍 Must possess a Certificate of Identification (COI), Sikkim Subject Certificate or Residential Certificate (for urban areas).
- 🧑🎓 Must be unemployed and have completed at least Class V from a recognised school.
- 🛠 For technical, manufacturing or service-based projects, a valid technical certificate from a recognised institute is required.
- 🎂 Age should be between 18 to 45 years at the time of application.
- 👨👩👧 Only one member per family can apply under the scheme.
- 💵 Family income should not exceed ₹8 lakhs per annum.
- 👪 For married applicants, family includes self, spouse and children; for unmarried applicants, it includes parents and unmarried siblings.
- 🏛 If the applicant is a child of a Government employee, only children of Group ‘C’ or ‘D’ employees are eligible.
- 💳 Applicant must contribute 5–15% of the project cost as per bank norms.
- 🚫 Must not be a defaulter with any nationalised bank, financial institution or co-operative bank.
- ❌ Must not have availed subsidy earlier under CMSS or PMEGP schemes.
- 📜 Must possess a valid trade licence for the proposed project/business.
- ♿ PwD applicants receive priority and are eligible for a 50% subsidy.
⛔ Who is Not Eligible Under the Scheme?
The following categories are not eligible for the Skilled Youth Startup Scheme Sikkim:
- 🚫 Individuals who have already received subsidy under CMSS or PMEGP.
- ⚠ Applicants who are defaulters with any bank or financial institution.
- 🏢 Children of Government employees other than those in Group ‘C’ or ‘D’.
📝 Offline Application Process for Skilled Youth Startup Scheme
The Skilled Youth Start Up Scheme currently follows an offline application process. Here’s how to apply step by step:
- 📄 Fill the prescribed Application Form (Annexure-I).
- 📊 Prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and attach it with the form along with required documents.
- 📬 Submit the complete application to:
General Manager, District Industries Centre (DIC)
at Gangtok or Jorethang. - 👥 The application is examined by a Selection Committee consisting of departmental and bank representatives.
- 🏦 Once approved, the project is forwarded to the concerned bank / PSU financial institution for loan sanction.
- 🎓 The applicant must successfully complete the 3-day Entrepreneur Development Training before final loan disbursement.
📆 Loan Repayment Rules & Lock-In Period
Repayment of the loan amount along with interest is the sole responsibility of the beneficiary as per the repayment schedule fixed by the bank.
- 💼 If the beneficiary wants to close the loan account early, it requires approval from the Commerce & Industries Department.
- 🌾 For agriculture and allied activities, the loan can be closed after one year.
- 🏗 For other projects, there is a lock-in period of 3 years for early closure.
📂 Documents Required for Skilled Youth Start Up Scheme
Keep the following documents ready while applying under the Skilled Youth Startup Scheme Sikkim:
- 🖼 Two recent passport-sized photographs.
- 📜 Sikkim Subject Certificate / COI / Residential Certificate.
- 🎓 Educational certificates and mark sheets.
- 🧾 Birth Certificate or Panchayat certification.
- 📑 Detailed Project Report (DPR) verified by the concerned Line Department (2 copies).
- 🪪 Voter ID card (as address proof).
- 📃 Unemployment Card from respective BAC.
- 📄 Land lease agreement or Land Parcha, if applicable.
- 🏪 Relevant trade licence or permit at the time of loan sanction.
- 📉 BPL certificate from DESME, if applicable.
- 💼 Income certificate from BDO/SDM.
- ✅ No Objection Certificate (NOC) from SABCO / SIDICO.
🌈 Final Thoughts: Turn Your Skill into Your Startup
The Skilled Youth Startup Scheme Sikkim is more than a subsidy scheme – it is a chance to turn your skills and ideas into a livelihood. If you have a dream, a small idea and the courage to start, this scheme can become your launchpad.
Don’t wait endlessly for the “perfect” job. With the right guidance, a strong project report and the support of this Skilled Youth Start Up Scheme, you can create opportunities not only for yourself but also for others around you.
✨ Your dream venture may be just one application away – start today, believe in your skill, and let your courage shape the future of Sikkim.