Karnataka Dhanashree Scheme: A ₹45,000 One-Time Incentive for HIV-Positive and HIV-Affected Women Starting a small business is hard when you also face stigma. Karnataka’s Dhanashree Scheme gives eligible HIV-positive and HIV-affected women a one-time incentive of ₹45,000 to start self-employment. It is not a loan, so nothing has to be repaid, and it comes with entrepreneurship training. Applications have closed. The last date for 2026-27 was 31 October 2026, 5:30 PM, and today is 8 November. Contact the KSWDC Development Inspector in your district to ask whether any further round or extension exists. The source says women who applied in an earlier year and weren’t selected don’t need to apply again for 2026-27. What is the scheme? The Karnataka State Women’s Development Corporation (KSWDC) runs the scheme, which began in 2016. It helps HIV-positive and HIV-affected women become financially independent, and it also aims to build confidence and social inclusion for women facing stigma. The Karnataka Budget 2026-27, presented on 6 March 2026, raised the incentive from ₹30,000 to ₹45,000. The same increase applied to the Chethana Scheme and the rehabilitation schemes for gender minorities and former Devadasi women. Scheme at a glance Benefit One-time incentive of ₹45,000, plus training Who can apply HIV-positive and HIV-affected women of Karnataka, aged 20 to 55 Nodal agency Karnataka State Women’s Development Corporation Payment DBT to an Aadhaar-seeded bank account Mode of application Online at a notified service centre, or offline at the district office Last date (2026-27) 31 October 2026, 5:30 PM KSWDC phones 080-26632792, 080-26632973 Key benefits ₹45,000 outright incentive, not a loan DBT payment directly to your Aadhaar-seeded account Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) training alongside the money No income ceiling and no minimum educational qualification Support for any viable, lawful activity you propose, subject to approval. Common choices are tailoring and garment work, dairy and livestock, petty shops and small trading, food processing and home-based enterprises, and small service businesses. How the assistance has changed Year Assistance 2016-17 (launch) ₹40,000 loan at 4% interest plus ₹10,000 subsidy, totalling ₹50,000 2017-18 ₹25,000 loan plus ₹25,000 subsidy, totalling ₹50,000 From 2021-22 Loan withdrawn; ₹30,000 incentive with EDP training 2026-27 Incentive raised to ₹45,000 Who is eligible? You must be a permanent resident of Karnataka. You must be 20 to 55 years old. You must be HIV-positive, or HIV-affected, which includes wives of HIV-positive men and unmarried daughters of HIV-affected families. You must have an active bank account seeded with your Aadhaar, and a mobile number linked to your Aadhaar. You must plan an income-generating activity and submit a business or activity plan. You must submit a medical certificate from an ICTC or ART Centre, or an ART Card. You must not have received a benefit under any KSWDC scheme before. Only one eligible woman per family can receive assistance. Documents required Aadhaar card Proof of permanent residence in Karnataka Copy of the bank passbook Medical certificate from an ICTC or ART Centre, or an ART Card Project report or business plan Passport-size photographs Recommendation letter, for the discretionary quota Any extra documents KSWDC or the district office asks for How applications were made Online at a service centre Visit a Bapuji Seva Kendra, Grama One, Bengaluru One or Karnataka One centre. The application goes through the Seva Sindhu portal. Say you want to apply for the Dhanashree Scheme, and verify with an Aadhaar OTP. Give your personal details and describe your planned activity with its estimated cost. Share your Aadhaar-seeded bank details. Hand over documents for scanning and upload. Check the details on screen and submit. Collect the acknowledgement slip or reference number. Offline at the district office Visit the District Deputy Director’s office (Women and Child Development) or the KSWDC Development Inspector’s office. Collect the form, prepare a project report and fill it in. Attach self-attested copies of the documents. Submit it and collect the receipt. Discretionary quota Get a recommendation letter from a Minister, an MLA or the KSWDC Chairperson. Submit it with your documents at a service centre, following the online steps. How selection works Officials verify your application and documents. Eligible applications go to the district committee headed by the District Commissioner. The committee assesses your proposed activity and selects beneficiaries. Selected applications are recommended to KSWDC for sanction. The amount is credited to your Aadhaar-seeded account by DBT. You start the approved activity and receive EDP training. Related schemes Chethana Scheme: self-employment support for women in difficult circumstances, also raised to ₹45,000 Udyogini Scheme: a bank loan of ₹50,000 to ₹3,00,000 with a subsidy, for women who need a larger amount Need help? KSWDC: 080-26632792, 080-26632973 District Development Inspectors: contact details are on the KSWDC website Frequently asked questions How much does the scheme give? A one-time ₹45,000 incentive. Is it a loan or a subsidy? It’s an outright incentive. Nothing is repaid. What is the age limit? 20 to 55 years. Can two women from one family benefit? No. Only one eligible woman per family. Is training provided? Yes, Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) training. What was the last date for 2026-27? 31 October 2026, 5:30 PM.