In a significant move to empower the youth and promote self-reliance, the Yogi Adityanath-led government has transformed the state into a model of entrepreneurship through its flagship Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Vikas (MYUVA) Abhiyan. The initiative is being hailed as a national benchmark for enabling young individuals to become self-employed and build their own businesses.
Financial support
Under the scheme, the government is not only encouraging entrepreneurship among the youth but also supporting them by offering interest-free, collateral-free loans of up to Rs 5 lakh. This financial support is helping young entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality without the burden of traditional lending constraints.
So far, over 53,000 loan applications have been approved, and nearly 40,000 youth have already received disbursements to launch their ventures. These micro and small enterprises are paving the way for economic self-sufficiency and job creation across the state.
Inspiration for entire country
This scheme is being seen as an inspiration for the entire country, as it reflects CM Yogi Adityanath’s vision of a self-reliant India (Aatmanirbhar Bharat). Launched with the mission “Har kadam udyamita ki or, Har yuva aatmanirbharta ki or,’ the scheme aims to provide self-employment opportunities to 10 lakh youth over the next 10 years.
According to the Directorate of Industries and Enterprise Promotion, a total of 2,44,045 applications were received under the scheme till May 16, 2025. Out of these, 1,10,105 applications were forwarded to banks. So far, 53,649 applications have been approved, and 39,835 youth have received loans.
Support to women & minority
One of the key highlights of the scheme is its special focus on supporting women and people from backward communities. Nearly 30% of the loan recipients are women, who are making a mark in the field of entrepreneurship. In addition, over 48.5% of the beneficiaries belong to the Other Backward Classes (OBC), while 15% are from the Scheduled Castes (SC) and 2.5% from minority communities. This inclusive approach is making the scheme more effective and far-reaching.
The youth are using the funds received under the scheme across different sectors. According to available data, over 36% of the loans have been used in the manufacturing sector, including businesses like furniture making, flour mills, and dairy production. The remaining 64% of the beneficiaries have invested in the services sector, such as tent houses, mobile repair shops, printing presses, and fitness centers.
Leading district in loan distribution
Under the MYUVA, Kanpur Nagar has emerged as the leading district in loan distribution, with 1,339 young beneficiaries receiving financial support to start their ventures. Following Kanpur are Bareilly (1,032), Agra (1,016), Maharajganj (988), and Varanasi (961), making up the top five districts in terms of maximum loans distributed under the scheme.
Banks have played a vital role in ensuring the success of this youth empowerment initiative. State Bank of India (SBI) has taken the lead by providing loans to 6,684 youth, making it the top-performing bank in this regard. It is followed by Bank of Baroda (5,489), Punjab National Bank (4,770), Indian Bank (4,459), and Baroda UP Gramin Bank (3,624). These banks have significantly contributed to turning the entrepreneurial dreams of thousands of youth into reality through timely and efficient loan support.
