Swavalambi Sarathi Scheme - How To Apply Online, Check Status

The Swavalambi Sarathi Scheme is a self-employment initiative of the Karnataka Government that helps eligible unemployed individuals buy a vehicle and start earning on their own. For 2026-27, it runs through three development corporations, each with its own subsidy slab: KMDCL for the Minority component, the D. Devaraja Urs Backward Classes Development Corporation for Category-3B applicants, and the SC/ST corporations for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe beneficiaries. It is also called the “Karnataka Swavalambi Sarathi Yojana,” and remains one of the notable government schemes in Karnataka.

Scheme Benefits

Eligible applicants can buy a passenger auto, goods vehicle or taxi, with the remaining cost covered through bank finance under the Swavalambi Sarathi Scheme.

SC and ST beneficiaries get a 75% subsidy, capped at Rs. 4,00,000.
Minority and Backward Classes (Category-3B) beneficiaries get a 50% subsidy, capped at Rs. 3,00,000.
Buyers of a passenger auto get an added subsidy of up to Rs. 75,000.
The subsidy is credited via Direct Benefit Transfer once the loan, purchase and verification steps are complete.

Swavalambi Sarathi Scheme Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility varies slightly by category, so check which component applies to you.
Minority: age 18–55, resident of Karnataka, family income up to Rs. 6,00,000, valid driving licence, no family member in government service.
Backward Classes (Category-3B): age 21–45, family income up to Rs. 98,000 (rural) or Rs. 1,20,000 (urban), unemployed, Aadhaar-linked bank account.
SC/ST: age 21–56, at least 15 years’ residence in Karnataka, family income up to Rs. 1,50,000 (rural) or Rs. 2,00,000 (urban), no prior benefit from the same corporation.
No category should have availed a similar vehicle-loan facility earlier, and a driving licence is compulsory before applying.

Documents required to apply for the scheme

Aadhaar card
Caste/Minority/Community certificate
Income certificate
Valid Driving Licence
Bank passbook and account details
Passport-size photograph and vehicle quotation
Self Declaration Form

Swavalambi Sarathi Scheme – How to apply

Minority applicants apply through the KMDCL portal:
Visit the KMDCL Online Application Management Portal.
Click here to apply for the Swavalambi Sarathi Scheme, enter your mobile number and submit.
Complete OTP verification linked to your mobile number and Aadhaar.
Select “Swavalambi Sarathi Yojana,” click Apply Online, and fill in applicant, vehicle and bank details.
Upload documents, review the summary and submit.
A district panel verifies the application; approved beneficiaries get the subsidy in their bank account.
SC, ST and Backward Classes applicants generally apply through their corporation’s portal or Seva Sindhu, get verified by the District Manager, and are forwarded to the selection committee and financing bank.

Swavalambi Sarathi Scheme – How to check status

Visit the KMDCL portal and click here to track status.
Enter your mobile number or Registration ID and date of birth.
Click Track Status to view the current stage.

What’s New in 2026-27

Under the Swavalambi Sarathi Scheme in 2026 – 2027, the subsidised vehicle must display “Subsidised by KMDC” (Minority component) and cannot be sold or transferred during the loan tenure; passenger autos in urban areas still need a valid permit. Under the Backward Classes component, the vehicle must be registered as a self-drive taxi on a Yellow Board, cannot switch to a White Board until the loan is repaid, and only one family member can avail the benefit.

Contact info

Registered Office & Head Office

Karnataka Minorities Development Corporation Ltd.,
No. 39-821, Subedhar Chatra Road,
Sheshadripuram,
Bengaluru – 560001,
Karnataka, India

Phone: 080-2286-0999 (10:30 AM to 5:30 PM only (Except Karnataka Government Holidays).
Whatsapp: +91-82777-99990 (24×7 helpline)
Email: [email protected]