Gujarat has emerged as the second-best performing state in India in the successful implementation of the PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme, aimed at empowering urban street vendors with financial support and livelihood security. As the scheme marks its fifth anniversary in June 2025, the state's commitment and proactive implementation under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel have become a model for other states.

A Mission Mode Approach to Empower Vendors

Launched on June 1, 2020, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the PM SVANidhi scheme is a central government initiative by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Its objective is to integrate street vendors into the formal economy by providing easy access to working capital loans and other benefits. Gujarat has not only adopted this scheme with full force but has implemented it in mission mode, ensuring smooth digital registration, timely loan disbursal, and continued financial literacy support for urban vendors.

Key Milestones Achieved by Gujarat

Gujarat’s performance has consistently surpassed expectations:

• The first milestone of providing loans to 3 lakh beneficiaries was successfully achieved by July 2023.

• The next target of supporting 4 lakh vendors was crossed well before the October 2024 deadline, earning Gujarat the second rank nationally.

• Following this success, the Centre raised the target to 5.20 lakh beneficiaries. As of now, Gujarat has already completed 92.14% of this revised goal, placing it fourth at the national level.

So far, a total of 4,79,141 street vendors in Gujarat have benefited from the scheme, receiving working capital loans that have significantly improved their financial stability and livelihood prospects.

Multiple Installments Empower Vendors

The scheme allows vendors to access loans in three tranches. In Gujarat:

• 4.79 lakh vendors have received their first loan installment.

• 1.71 lakh vendors have progressed to the second loan cycle.

• 42,176 vendors have qualified for the third installment, a sign of strong repayment culture and successful business continuity.

The Government of India has backed Gujarat’s progress with a total interest subsidy of ₹30.47 crore, which has eased the financial burden on borrowers and encouraged wider participation.

Focus on Digital and Financial Inclusion

A standout feature of Gujarat’s implementation is its focus on digital empowerment. Under PM Swanidhi, the state has organized regular digital literacy camps to train vendors in using real-time digital payment systems and banking services. These camps are essential in promoting financial inclusion and helping vendors adopt modern financial tools.

Additionally, the Gujarat government, in collaboration with the State Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) and other financial institutions, has streamlined processes to ensure loan disbursal within a fixed timeframe. Special loan distribution days are organized on Fridays and Saturdays, while urban local bodies (ULBs) conduct door-to-door campaigns to register vendors and ensure maximum outreach.

A Model of Grassroots Governance

Gujarat’s success in PM Swanidhi reflects the effectiveness of strong governance, policy execution, and community-level empowerment. By leveraging digital tools, ensuring institutional cooperation, and focusing on financial inclusion, the state has empowered thousands of street vendors to become financially self-reliant.

As PM Swanidhi celebrates five years of transformative impact, Gujarat stands as a testament to how well-orchestrated state-level leadership can turn central schemes into engines of inclusive growth and economic resilience.