The Swavalambi Sarathi Scheme 2025 is a flagship initiative by the Karnataka Government aimed at promoting self-employment among unemployed youth from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and Minority communities. Implemented through the Karnataka Minorities Development Corporation (KMDC), the scheme provides substantial subsidies for purchasing commercial vehicles such as taxis, goods carriers, and passenger auto-rickshaws.
Key Benefits
- Subsidy for Vehicle Purchase:
- SC/ST Beneficiaries: Up to 75% of the vehicle’s cost or a maximum of ₹4,00,000.
- OBC/Minority Beneficiaries: Up to 50% of the vehicle’s cost or a maximum of ₹3,00,000.
- Passenger Auto Rickshaws: A flat subsidy of ₹75,000.
- Loan Assistance: The remaining vehicle cost can be financed through loans from nationalized or scheduled banks, with the subsidy amount directly credited to the beneficiary’s bank account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the scheme, applicants must:
- Be permanent residents of Karnataka.
- Belong to SC, ST, OBC, or Minority communities.
- Be aged between 18 and 55 years.
- Have an annual family income not exceeding ₹4.5 lakh.
- Possess a valid driving license issued by the Regional Transport Authority.
- Ensure no family member is employed in State/Central Government or Public Sector Units.
- Not have availed any vehicle loan under other state government schemes in the past five years (excluding the Arivu Scheme).
- Not be a loan defaulter with KMDC.
Required Documents
Applicants need to submit the following:
- Online application form.
- Two recent passport-sized photographs.
- Caste and Income certificates.
- Aadhaar card copy.
- Valid driving license copy.
- Bank passbook copy.
- Vehicle quotation.
- Self-declaration affidavits stating:
- No prior availed vehicle loan under any state government scheme.
- Commitment not to transfer or alienate the vehicle during the loan period.
Application Process
- Online Application:
- Visit the KMDC Online Application Portal.
- Navigate to the ‘E-Services’ section and select ‘Swavalambi Sarathi Scheme’.
- Click on ‘Apply Online’.
- Enter your mobile number and verify it using the OTP sent.
- Fill in the application form with personal, vehicle, and bank details.
- Upload the required documents.
- Review and submit the application.
- Application Review:
- The submitted application and documents will be verified by a selection panel comprising local MLAs, Tahsildars, and officials from relevant departments.
- Subsidy Disbursement:
- Upon approval, the subsidy amount will be directly credited to the beneficiary’s bank account.
Additional Information
- Loan Repayment: Beneficiaries are responsible for repaying the loan amount (excluding the subsidy) to the financing bank in fixed installments, as per the bank’s prevailing interest rates.
- Application Status: Applicants can track their application status through the KMDC portal.
- Contact: For assistance, beneficiaries can reach out to their respective district KMDC offices.
