DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry

Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS)

LOAN/CREDITSTARTUP-SPECIFIC

Stage: Seed to growth
Indicative amount: Guarantee cover up to ₹20 cr per borrower

What it is for

Gives lenders (banks, NBFCs, SEBI-registered AIF venture debt funds) a government-backed guarantee against default, so they're willing to lend to startups without asking for collateral.

Who can apply

DPIIT-recognised startups seeking a collateral-free loan from a lending institution that participates in CGSS.

What you get

Collateral-free debt of up to ₹20 crore per eligible borrower — this is a guarantee that de-risks the lender, not a direct grant or cash payment to the startup.

How to apply

There is no direct founder-facing application. You approach a participating bank/NBFC for the loan; if approved, that institution applies for the CGSS guarantee cover with NCGTC on your behalf.

Best suited for

A DPIIT-recognised startup with some revenue/traction that a bank would consider lending to, but that lacks the collateral or personal guarantees a normal business loan would require.

Official links

CGSS overview — Startup India https://www.startupindia.gov.in/content/sih/en/credit-guarantee-scheme-for-startups.html
NCGTC (scheme administrator) https://www.ncgtc.in/en/product-details/CGSS/Credit-Guarantee-Scheme-for-Start-ups-(CGSS)

Summarised from official sources, last reviewed 2026-09-07. Amounts and eligibility are indicative — always confirm against the live scheme guideline before acting.