PM-SURAJ PORTAL (PRADHAN MANTRI SAMAJIK UTTHAN EVAM ROZGAR ADHARIT JANKALYAN)

NEWS: The PM-SURAJ portal disbursed ₹1,389.61 crore to 1.39 lakh entrepreneurs in FY 2024-25, exceeding its target. This shows the government’s push toward financial inclusion + social justice + entrepreneurship-led empowerment of marginalized communities.

About PM-SURAJ Portal

• Launched in 2024
• By the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
• Full Form: Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan evam Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan (PM-SURAJ)
• Aim: To provide credit support to entrepreneurs from disadvantaged sections through a digital centralized platform.

Key Features

• Acts as a single-window portal where beneficiaries can: Apply for loans, track application status, access multiple credit schemes in one place
• The portal focuses on most marginalized communities, including: Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC)à aligns with the Constitutional vision of social justice (Articles 14, 15, 46)
• Business loans up to ₹15 lakh, low interest rates, direct transfer to bank accounts
• PM-SURAJ: Focuses only on startup ventures, encourages first-generation entrepreneurs, promotes grassroots economic growth

IMPLEMENTATIONS

The portal is implemented through government financial corporations:

• National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC)
• National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC)
• National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC)

Significance for Indian Economy & Society

• Promotes Inclusive Growth: Supports marginalized communities economicallyà Reduces income inequality
• Enhances Financial Inclusion Linked with: Jan Dhan, DBT ecosystem, Digital governance
• Supports Atmanirbhar Bharat: Encourages self-employment, boosts MSME sector, reduces unemployment
• Social Justice Tool Directly aligns with: Directive Principles (Article 46)à welfare state model