‘CM Yuva’ scheme becomes a success formula for young entrepreneurs in UP

Lucknow : The Yogi government’s flagship initiative, Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan (CM Yuva), is rapidly emerging as a game-changer for aspiring young entrepreneurs across Uttar Pradesh. Designed to foster self-employment and innovation, the scheme is enabling thousands of youth to realize their entrepreneurial dreams while creating new jobs for others.

Under this initiative, interest-free loans are being provided to educated and skilled youth, helping them set up ventures in diverse sectors such as cake manufacturing, laundry services, digital marketing, interior and exterior designing, mineral water plants, tattoo studios, and solar panel installation. These businesses not only cater to local needs but also promote modern technology and environmental sustainability.

So far, over 53,000 loan applications have been approved under the scheme, with more than 40,000 beneficiaries already receiving funds to set up their enterprises. This initiative is playing a pivotal role in boosting self-reliance among the youth and contributing to the state’s larger goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy.

Launched in 2018 by the Department of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME), the CM Yuva scheme targets educated and skilled youth aged between 21 and 40 years. It offers loans of up to ₹5 lakh with no interest and no collateral, along with 10% margin money grant and ₹1 per digital transaction subsidy (up to Rs 2,000 annually).

With a goal of establishing 10 lakh micro-enterprises over the next decade, the Uttar Pradesh government has earmarked Rs 1,000 crore in the 2024-25 budget for the scheme. The application process is entirely online, and interested youth can apply via msme.up.gov.in or cmyuva.iid.org.in.

Success stories that inspire self-employment

Several young entrepreneurs across Uttar Pradesh are becoming role models by turning their dreams into reality through the CM Yuva scheme. Their success stories are encouraging others to follow the path of self-employment.

• Prabhnoor Kaur (Kanpur): Prabhnoor received training in cake manufacturing and took a loan of ₹4.25 lakh in March 2025 to start her own unit called ‘Sweet Sculpt by Kaur.’ Her business is running successfully, and she has employed two women. She expressed her gratitude to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
• Geet Sonkar (Kanpur): Geet took a loan of Rs 2.7 lakh to set up ‘GS Interior and Exterior,’ a unit focused on interior and exterior designing. The unit has helped create jobs through machine installations.
• Yashwant Vishwakarma (Lalitpur): Yashwant used a Rs 5 lakh loan to start a tattoo studio. He is now self-reliant and is also providing employment to others.
• Anurag (Jaunpur): Anurag began a solar panel installation unit with a loan of Rs 4.5 lakh. His business has created jobs for three people.
• Aniket Singh (Chitrakoot): Once a laundry worker in Gujarat, Aniket started his own laundry unit with a Rs 5 lakh loan. He now earns Rs 30,000–Rs 35,000 per month and employs three others.
• Mohd. Murshaleen (Etawah): Murshaleen started a whey protein unit with a Rs 3.4 lakh loan. His unit has provided employment to one person. He praised the Chief Minister’s visionary leadership.
• Dipendra Dixit (Etawah): Dipendra took a Rs 4.2 lakh loan to set up a porridge processing unit. His venture now employs two people.