Tamil Nadu Women Entrepreneurs Empowerment Scheme

The Tamil Nadu Women Entrepreneurs Empowerment Scheme, commonly known as TWEES, is a business loan scheme launched by the Government of Tamil Nadu in 2025 for women and transgender individuals who want to start a new business. Under this scheme, eligible applicants can get a bank loan of up to Rs. 10 lakh with a government subsidy of 25%, capped at Rs. 2 lakh. The scheme is implemented by the MSME Department and applications are processed through District Industries Centres across Tamil Nadu.

Introduction of Tamil Nadu Women Entrepreneurs Empowerment Scheme (TWEES): A Brief Insight

If you want to start your own business in Tamil Nadu, the Women Entrepreneurs Empowerment Scheme (TWEES) can help you with financial support and guidance. The Government of Tamil Nadu launched this scheme to promote entrepreneurship among women and transgender individuals, especially those from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds.

The scheme aims to encourage self-employment and reduce financial barriers by offering support for small business projects. It operates under the MSME Department of Tamil Nadu, which manages the application process, verification, and coordination with banks.

Under TWEES, eligible applicants can set up their business with project support of up to Rs. 10 lakh. The government provides a capital subsidy of 25% of the project cost, subject to a maximum of Rs. 2 lakh, which helps reduce the overall financial burden.

Women and transgender individuals between 18 and 55 years of age who are residents of Tamil Nadu can apply for this scheme. The scheme does not require any minimum educational qualification or income limit, making it accessible to a wide range of applicants.

The application process takes place through the official MSME online portal. Applicants need to submit their details, upload documents, and present a clear business plan. After verification by the District Industries Centre (DIC), the application moves to the bank for loan approval.

If you face any difficulty during the application or loan process, you can contact your nearest District Industries Centre (DIC) or the concerned bank for assistance.

Women Applicants can also apply for the Magalir Urimai Thogai Scheme in which monthly financial assistance will be provided to eligible beneficiaries. For more such opportunities, check other Government Schemes of the Tamil Nadu Government to stay updated and take full advantage of available benefits.

Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries

The Tamil Nadu Women Entrepreneurs Empowerment Scheme (TWEES) provides financial and institutional support to help women and transgender individuals start or expand their own businesses. The scheme reduces the financial burden and encourages entrepreneurship at the grassroots level.

• Get financial support for business projects up to Rs. 10 lakh.
• Receive a capital subsidy of 25% of the project cost, up to a maximum of Rs. 2 lakh.
• Start a business in the manufacturing, trading, or service sectors.
• Benefit from a zero income limit, allowing wider participation.
• Repayment period minimum 5 years with 3 to 6 months moratorium.
• Subsidy is front-end – released directly to your bank when the loan is disbursed.
• Apply without any minimum educational qualification requirement.
• Receive priority support if you belong to the SC/ ST, transgender, differently-abled, widow, or BPL category.
• Expand your existing business through top-up loan support (for eligible KKT beneficiaries).
• Get support through District Industries Centres (DICs) for guidance and verification.
• No Collateral is Required.

Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled

Applicants must meet the following eligibility conditions to apply for the Tamil Nadu Women Entrepreneurs Empowerment Scheme (TWEES). The scheme focuses on supporting women and transgender individuals who want to start or expand their own business.

• Apply only if you are a woman or transgender entrepreneur.
• Ensure your age falls between 18 to 55 years at the time of application.
• Hold a valid domicile of Tamil Nadu and possess a family ration card.
• You do not need any minimum educational qualification to apply.
• Apply without worrying about income limits, as no income ceiling applies.
• Choose a business activity under the manufacturing, trading, or service sector.
• Keep your total project cost within Rs. 10 lakh.
• Contribute at least 5% of the total project cost from your side.
• Apply as only one member per family is allowed under this scheme.
• Get preference if you belong to the SC/ ST, transgender category, differently-abled group, widows, or BPL families.
• If you are an existing KKT scheme beneficiary, you can apply for a top-up loan for business expansion, provided that at least 75% of the additional loan amount is used for new asset creation.

What Businesses Can You Start Under the TWEES Scheme?

The Tamil Nadu government has listed focus sectors under TWEES where your application gets priority during selection. This list is non-exhaustive, meaning other viable business activities in manufacturing, trading, and service sectors are also eligible. Here are the businesses you can start under this scheme.

Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Products

Women entrepreneurs who want to work with sustainable materials can apply under this category. The following products are covered.

• Upcycled fashion and accessories made from textile waste.
• Biodegradable cutlery, plates, and packaging materials.
• Cups and plates made from straw and agro-wastes.
• Coir garden articles.
• Biodegradable napkins and carry bags.
• Pencils made from paper waste.
• Banana and sisal fibre products.

Handicrafts

If you have skills in traditional crafts or handmade products, the following activities qualify under TWEES.

• Designer handloom fabrics and smart fabrics.
• Fashion and imitation jewellery.
• Customised gift articles and handmade greeting cards.
• Cut glass articles.
• Water painting and mirror articles.
• Photo frames with decorative work.
• Silk thread jewellery making.

Sunrise Service Activities

Service-based businesses with growing demand are included under the sunrise services category. These activities are well-suited for women entrepreneurs in both urban and rural areas.

• Day care centre and child care service.
• Home-based cloud kitchens.
• Interior designing.
• Fashion design studio.
• Mehandi and tattoo studio.
• Bridal studio.
• Wellness and fitness centre.
• Yoga studio.
• Pet care centre.
• Nutritionist services.
• Laundry service.

Nutrition Products

Food-based businesses focused on health and millet products fall under this category.

• Nutrition balls made from nuts, honey, and dry fruits with no processed sugar.
• Health mix and millet-based bakery products.
• Millet ice cream.

Herbal Products

Women interested in herbal and essential oil production can apply under this sector.

• Lemon grass oil.
• Vettiver or khus oil.
• Palmarosa oil.

Unique Activities

The government has also included some niche and location-specific activities under TWEES.

• Hydroponics.
• Lantana products, as practised in Gudalur, The Nilgiris.

Documents Required to be Attached

Applicants must upload the required documents while submitting the online application for the Tamil Nadu Women Entrepreneurs Empowerment Scheme (TWEES). You should ensure that all documents are valid, clearly scanned, and match the details entered in the application form to avoid delays or rejection.

• Upload your Aadhaar Card to verify identity details.
• Provide a valid Family Ration Card as proof of Tamil Nadu residence.
• Submit a detailed Project Report explaining your business plan and investment.
• Attach a Community Certificate, if applicable to your category.
• Upload educational certificates such as SSLC, HSC, Diploma, or Degree (optional, not mandatory).
• Provide a vendor quotation that includes a valid GST number.
• Upload a recent colour passport-size photograph.
• Submit a copy of your bank passbook showing account details.
• Upload supporting certificates if you belong to special categories such as differently-abled, transgender, widow, destitute widow, or BPL category (only if applicable).

How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme

You can apply for the Tamil Nadu Women Entrepreneurs Empowerment Scheme (TWEES) through the Official MSME Online Portal. The scheme follows a bank-linked process, so you must complete both the application and loan formalities to receive the subsidy.

Before you start, prepare your business idea, project report, and all required documents. A clear and realistic business plan improves your chances of selection. A free project report template is also available on the official portal for download.

• Visit https://msmeonline.tn.gov.in/twees/index.php and fill in your TWEES application with personal, business, and project details.
• Upload all required documents including Aadhaar, ration card, project report, vendor quotation with GST, and bank passbook. Review the application carefully before submitting.
• The District Industries Centre (DIC) verifies your application for eligibility. If your application passes verification, you will receive a call letter for an interview.
• Attend the interview at your District Industries Centre. The District Task Force Committee will review your project and assess its viability.
• If selected, the Committee recommends your loan application to the bank. The bank then reviews and sanctions the loan based on the project’s viability.
• After loan sanction, you will receive a call letter to attend a mandatory 3-day Entrepreneurship Development Training conducted by EDII-TN. There is no fee for this training.
• Complete the training and collect your EDII training completion certificate. Submit this certificate along with any other documents required by the bank.
• Deposit your promoter contribution of 5% of the project cost with the bank. The bank will then disburse the first instalment or full loan amount to you.
• Set up your business as per the approved project plan. The bank will file the subsidy claim with the District Industries Centre.
• The DIC releases the subsidy of up to Rs. 2 lakh directly to your bank. This amount is adjusted against your loan, reducing your repayment obligation.
• The Women Entrepreneurs Empowerment Scheme Application Status can be checked through Application Number or Phone Number.

Note: This scheme does not provide direct cash benefits. The subsidy is released to your bank after loan disbursement, not to you directly. Bank approval and project viability play a key role in the final outcome.

How the Subsidy Works Under TWEES

Many applicants think the government sends the subsidy amount directly to their bank account. That is not how TWEES works. The subsidy under this scheme is front-end, which means it is released directly to your bank when the loan is disbursed. You do not receive any cash in hand.

Here is how the money flows in a simple example. Suppose your approved project cost is Rs. 10 lakh. You contribute Rs. 50,000, which is 5% of the project cost. The bank disburses Rs. 9.5 lakh, which is 95% of the project cost. This Rs. 9.5 lakh includes the government subsidy of Rs. 2 lakh. After disbursing the loan, the bank files a subsidy claim with the District Industries Centre. The DIC then releases Rs. 2 lakh directly to the bank. Your actual loan repayment is on the remaining Rs. 7.5 lakh only.

The repayment period is a minimum of 5 years, after an initial moratorium of 3 to 6 months. The rate of interest is as per banking norms decided by the lending bank. There is no interest subvention under this scheme.

Who Handles TWEES Applications in Your District?

The TWEES scheme is implemented at the district level by District Industries Centres, commonly known as DICs. Every district in Tamil Nadu has a DIC that receives applications, verifies eligibility, conducts interviews, recommends loans to banks, and disburses the subsidy after loan disbursement.

If you are based in Chennai, your application is handled by the Office of the Regional Joint Director of Industries and Commerce, Chennai. For all other districts, the General Manager of the respective District Industries Centre is the nodal officer and also heads the District Task Force Committee that selects beneficiaries.

There are no fees or charges for applying under this scheme. If you face any difficulty during the application process, visit your nearest DIC or contact them through the official MSME Tamil Nadu portal at msmeonline.tn.gov.in.

Important Links Available

• Online Application of Women Entrepreneurs Empowerment Scheme Tamil Nadu.
• Application Status of Women Entrepreneurs Empowerment Scheme Tamil Nadu.
• Official Guidelines of Women Entrepreneurs Empowerment Scheme Tamil Nadu.
• Official Website of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Department Tamil Nadu.

Contact Details in Case of Help Needed

• Contact Numbers of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Department Tamil Nadu.

For scheme-related queries, contact your nearest District Industries Centre. Applications and scheme details are available on the official portal: https://msmeonline.tn.gov.in/twees/index.php

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Q1. What is the Women Entrepreneurs Empowerment Scheme (TWEES)?
  It is a Tamil Nadu Government scheme that provides financial support and subsidies to women and transgender individuals to start or expand their businesses.
• Q2. How much financial assistance is available under this scheme?
  The scheme supports projects up to Rs. 10 lakh and provides a 25% subsidy, with a maximum limit of Rs. 2 lakh.
• Q3. Who can apply for the TWEES scheme?
  Women and transgender entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 55 years who are residents of Tamil Nadu can apply.
• Q4. Is there any income limit to apply for this scheme?
  No, there is no income ceiling, which allows applicants from all income groups to apply.
• Q5. Do I need any educational qualifications to apply?
  No, the scheme does not require any minimum educational qualification.
• Q6. Can I get the subsidy amount directly in my bank account?
  No, the subsidy is not paid as direct cash. The government releases it directly to your bank after the loan is disbursed. Your repayment obligation is reduced by the subsidy amount.
• Q7. What type of business is allowed under this scheme?
  You can start or expand a business in the manufacturing, trading, or service sectors.
• Q8. Is a bank loan mandatory under TWEES?
  Yes, the scheme is bank-linked, so you must get your loan approved to receive the subsidy.
• Q9. Can more than one person from the same family apply?
  No, only one member from a family can apply under this scheme.
• Q10. What is the minimum contribution required from the applicant?
  You must contribute at least 5% of the total project cost.
• Q11. Can existing business owners apply for this scheme?
  No. This scheme is only for new business units. Existing business owners are not eligible, except for KKT scheme beneficiaries who wish to expand their unit through a top-up loan.
• Q12. What should I do if my application is rejected?
  You should check the reason for rejection, correct any errors, and consult the District Industries Centre (DIC) or your bank for guidance.

Tabassum

Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.