Sikkim Skilled Youth Startup Scheme: Application Form, Eligibility, Benefits

Sikkim Skilled Youth Startup Scheme:- The Sikkim Skilled Youth Startup Scheme is an initiative by the state government designed to assist unemployed individuals by providing them with loans to start their own businesses, thereby generating employment opportunities. The scheme is aimed at supporting young people in both rural and urban areas of Sikkim to establish their ventures. This article will guide you through the process of applying for the scheme, explain how to avail loan subsidies, and provide key details about the program. Additionally, we will discuss the benefits, eligibility criteria, and overall features of the scheme.

Sikkim Skilled Youth Startup Scheme

The Chief Minister’s Startup Scheme, launched on August 15, 2017, aims to support local youth, particularly those who are unemployed or have dropped out of school, in creating new business ventures and opportunities for self-employment across both rural and urban areas of the state. The scheme focuses on fostering startups in various industries, including agriculture, horticulture, food processing, animal husbandry, and handicrafts. The primary objective of the Sikkim Skilled Youth Startup Scheme 2024 is to provide young people with viable livelihood opportunities, helping them achieve financial independence.

Under the scheme, a financial support component of 25% of the total project cost is allocated for bankable and financially viable projects. This support is available for businesses that require a total investment of up to Rs. 20 lakh.

Eligible businesses can include startups in sectors such as agriculture, animal husbandry, handloom, and other service industries. For these projects, the program offers financial assistance amounting to 25% of the approved bankable project cost, which must be backed by a recognized PSU banking institution or PSU bank. This support is designed to aid entrepreneurs in launching and growing their ventures within the industry or service sectors.

Sikkim Garib Awas Yojana

Sikkim Skilled Youth Startup Scheme 2025 Key Points

Sikkim Skilled Youth Startup Scheme Objectives 

The objectives of the Sikkim Skilled Youth Startup Scheme are as follows:

• Fostering Entrepreneurial Spirit: To encourage the local unemployed youth and school dropouts in the state to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and explore business opportunities.
• Promoting Commercially Viable Startups: To inspire eligible youth to establish financially viable startup ventures in various sectors such as agriculture, horticulture, food processing, animal husbandry, and more, following government guidelines.
• Building Self-Confidence: To provide an enabling environment and initial financial support, helping local youth gain self-confidence and enhance their chances of long-term socio-economic success.
• Creating Equitable Opportunities: To ensure the generation of fair entrepreneurial opportunities across both rural and urban areas of the state, promoting inclusivity and balanced growth.

Sikkim Skilled Youth Startup Scheme Points 

Key points of the Sikkim Skilled Youth Startup Scheme include:

• Eligible Sectors: Initiatives in the manufacturing or service sectors, including agriculture, horticulture, handicrafts, and other industries, are eligible under the scheme.
• Financial Support: For bankable projects approved by PSU financial institutions or banks, the scheme provides a 25% financial support of the approved project cost through front-ended assistance.
• Non-Manufacturing Sector Support: Non-manufacturing initiatives (such as visitor taxi services) that are ineligible for central subsidies under the credit-linked subsidy scheme can receive 35% financial assistance for the approved project cost under the scheme.
• Contribution for Non-Manufacturing Projects: For non-manufacturing projects, the promoter’s financial contribution is 25% of the approved bankable project cost.
• Prohibited Industries: Industries involved in the production, manufacturing, or sale of tobacco-based products (e.g., cigars, cigarettes, gutka) or the use of tobacco as raw material are not eligible under the scheme.
• Polythene & Plastic Manufacturing Restrictions: The manufacturing of polythene carry bags with a width of less than 20 microns and the production of recycled plastic carrying bags or containers that are prohibited in the jurisdiction are also not allowed under the scheme.

Sikkim Skilled Youth Startup Scheme Eligibility 

To be eligible for the Sikkim Skilled Youth Startup Scheme, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Local Residency: The applicant must be a genuine local teenager with a Certificate of Identification or a Sikkim Subject Certificate (or the same issued to their parents).
• Unemployment Status: The candidate must be unemployed at the time of applying.
• Educational Qualifications: The applicant should have completed at least fifth-grade education from an accredited institution.
• Family Eligibility: Only one member per family can avail the benefits of the program.
• Age Criteria: The candidate must be between 15 and 40 years old on the date of application.
• Priority to Specific Groups: Preference will be given to unemployed local youth from BPL (Below Poverty Line) households or those from rural areas.
• Commercial Driving License: If the applicant intends to participate in service sector activities (such as running a taxi service), they must hold a valid commercial driving license.
• Trade License: Applicants wishing to start a manihari (local shop) or grocery store must possess a valid trade license issued by the relevant government authority.
• Specialized Training for Service Sector: To open businesses such as boutiques or beauty salons, the applicant must have completed a certificate program of at least three months from a recognized professional institute.

Sikkim Skilled Youth Startup Scheme Documents

The documents which are needed for the Sikkim Skilled Youth Startup Scheme are:

• Certificate of Identification
• Mark sheet of  Board/ University.
• DOB certificate
• Two copies of the Project Report
• DESME issues BPLs.
• Address Proof: Voter ID.
• Aadhaar Card
• Valid employment card that is issued by the concerned BAC.
• Photographs

Sikkim Skilled Youth Startup Scheme Form PDF  

To apply for the Sikkim Skilled Youth Startup Scheme, you must submit the application form to the relevant authorities. The application process is as follows:

• For East and North Sikkim: Eligible candidates from these regions can apply at the District Industries Centre (DIC) (E/N) located in Gangtok.
• For South and West Sikkim: Candidates from these areas should submit their applications at the District Industries Centre (DIC) (S/W) in Jorethang.

Once completed, the application form and documents must be submitted to the General Manager at the respective DIC office mentioned above.

Summary of Sikkim Skilled Youth Startup Scheme

The Sikkim Skilled Youth Startup Scheme aims to empower unemployed youth in Sikkim, including school dropouts, by offering financial support for starting businesses in sectors like agriculture, food processing, and handicrafts. The scheme provides 25% financial assistance for bankable projects up to Rs. 20 lakh. Priority is given to youth from BPL families or rural areas, with eligibility based on age, education, and other criteria.