IndusInd Bank, BYST Facilitate ₹2 Crore in Loans to Support Rural Entrepreneurs in Maharashtra

Mumbai, February 02, 2026: IndusInd Bank, in partnership with Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust (BYST), has launched the Holistic Rural Development Program (HRDP) in Dharashiv district of Maharashtra to promote entrepreneurship among youth from marginalised communities.

The 39-month programme focuses on semi-skilled, unemployed and underemployed youth, with a special emphasis on women and SC/ST communities, to enable self-employment and enterprise creation. Dharashiv is among Maharashtra’s aspirational districts and faces challenges related to limited local employment opportunities and outward migration.

Since its launch, the initiative has reached 4,330 young people through outreach activities, counselled 852 aspiring entrepreneurs, and provided structured entrepreneurial training to 205 participants. As of January 2026, 54 micro-enterprises have received access to finance and mentorship support, with loans worth ₹1.97 crore facilitated under the programme. In addition, 51 local mentors have been trained to provide continuous, on-ground guidance to new entrepreneurs.

The programme supports enterprises across manufacturing, services, and retail sectors, with the objective of building sustainable local economies, generating employment, and reducing distress migration from rural areas. Alongside financial support, participants receive handholding in business planning, market access, and enterprise management.

Lakshmi Venkataraman Venkatesan, Founding and Managing Trustee of Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust, said, “Microentrepreneurship plays a central role in India's economy, especially in smaller towns and rural areas. Manufacturing, service, and retail enterprises are critical to create local jobs, meet everyday needs, and keep money circulating within the community. By giving young people structured support to enter these three sectors, the programme helps them move from informal work or unemployment into stable, small businesses that can grow in a realistic and steady way.”

Through HRDP, IndusInd Bank and BYST aim to strengthen community-led enterprise development and position local youth as drivers of economic stability and inclusive growth in Maharashtra.