DFS Unveils Unified ‘Startup Common Application Journey’ on Jan Sammarth Portal

In India’s fast-evolving startup ecosystem, access to credit has long been one of the biggest hurdles for young entrepreneurs. While innovation is soaring, navigating the maze of bank loans, paperwork, and approvals has often slowed down entrepreneurial momentum. In a major move to address this challenge, the Department of Financial Services (DFS) under the Ministry of Finance has launched the ‘Startup Common Application Journey’ on the Jan Sammarth Portal — a unified digital window to streamline and democratize startup credit access across all Public Sector Banks (PSBs).

The initiative was officially unveiled during the Public Sector Banks (PSB) Review Meeting in New Delhi by M. Nagaraju, Secretary, DFS, in the presence of senior officials from DFS, the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA), PSB Alliance, and the MDs & CEOs of various PSBs.

One Portal, Many Banks — A Unified Credit Gateway for Startups

Developed jointly by the IBA and PSB Alliance, the new platform acts as a single-window interface that allows startups to seamlessly apply for loans across multiple public sector banks. From comparing loan offers to tracking applications, the Jan Sammarth platform centralizes the entire process, cutting through layers of bureaucracy that once stood between founders and formal funding.

For a startup founder, this means no more separate applications or endless follow-ups with multiple banks. Instead, the Startup Common Application Journey simplifies the entire experience — offering one digital entry point for all PSBs, complete with transparent processing, real-time tracking, and faster decision-making.

Credit Support of up to ₹20 Crore

At the heart of this new initiative is a Model Loan Scheme designed specifically for startups. Through the platform, eligible startups can apply for loans up to ₹20 crore under the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS).
This scheme is managed by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC) and promoted by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) — both key stakeholders in strengthening India’s financial support structure for emerging businesses.

The inclusion of CGSS ensures that banks can lend confidently, even to early-stage ventures without a long credit history, thanks to a government-backed guarantee mechanism. For startups, this opens up access to formal capital — often the crucial ingredient needed to scale from idea to enterprise.

Digital Integration for Speed, Transparency, and Trust

One of the most powerful aspects of the platform lies in its data-driven integration. The application journey is built to pull information directly from trusted government and financial sources like PAN, GST, Udyam, ITRs, and credit bureaus.
This not only reduces manual paperwork but also ensures a transparent and efficient evaluation process, enabling faster loan approvals and minimizing human discretion.

The DFS has also emphasized that women entrepreneurs will benefit from special interest concessions, reinforcing the government’s ongoing commitment to fostering inclusivity and gender balance in India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Driving India’s Vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’

Speaking at the launch, officials described the initiative as a milestone in India’s journey toward a digitally empowered and financially inclusive economy.
They noted that the Startup Common Application Journey is not just a tool for convenience but a strategic enabler of the government’s broader vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ — a future-ready India powered by innovation, entrepreneurship, and equitable financial access.

By empowering startups with faster, fairer, and simpler access to capital, the initiative is set to create a ripple effect across the ecosystem — boosting innovation, encouraging formal credit culture, and nurturing job creation.

Bridging the Credit Gap for India’s Innovators

For India’s startup founders — especially those in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities — this initiative could be transformative.
Many early-stage ventures face rejection not because of weak ideas but because of lack of collateral, procedural complexities, or fragmented communication between financial institutions.
The new Jan Sammarth-based digital journey aims to bridge that gap, ensuring that entrepreneurs spend less time chasing paperwork and more time building their businesses.

As India positions itself as one of the world’s fastest-growing startup ecosystems, initiatives like this underline a critical shift — from celebrating innovation to actively enabling it.

How to Apply

Startups looking to explore the new loan facility can access the unified form directly on the Jan Sammarth portal at https://www.jansamarth.in/business-loan-startup-scheme

With the launch of the Startup Common Application Journey, India’s startup credit landscape takes a decisive step forward — where technology, trust, and transparency come together to fuel the next wave of entrepreneurial growth.