Sarsenapati Santaji Ghorpade SARTHI Entrepreneurship Development (Incubation) Initiative

The Sarsenapati Santaji Ghorpade SARTHI Entrepreneurship Development (Incubation) Initiative is a year-long program launched by the Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Research, Training and Human Development Institute (SARTHI), Pune, an autonomous institute of the Government of Maharashtra.

It helps aspiring entrepreneurs turn technology business ideas into scalable startups. It is open to candidates from the Maratha, Kunbi, Maratha-Kunbi and Kunbi-Maratha categories in Maharashtra.

In the 2026-27 round, SARTHI is working with 13 incubation centres across Maharashtra, and each centre will support 10 new entrepreneurs. Each centre has its own application link. Applications are open from 24 September 2026 to 15 October 2026, 6:15 PM.

• Resident of Maharashtra.
• Belong to the Maratha, Kunbi, Kunbi-Maratha or Maratha-Kunbi category. Maratha applicants need a school-leaving certificate that shows caste. The others need a caste certificate from the competent authority.
• Income certificate or Non-Creamy Layer certificate for the relevant year, in the candidate's own name.
• Annual family income, from all sources and all family members, of Rs 8 lakh or less.
• Have not received financial benefit from SARTHI before.
• At least a graduate.
• Have your own technology business idea that you can turn into a scalable startup within one year.
• Pursue the venture full-time during the support period.
• Present a formal business plan, investment proposal and presentation.
• No other benefit is allowed during this period.

Eligible candidates receive a stipend of Rs 25,000 per month for one year, which comes to Rs 3,00,000 over the year. Each partner incubator also offers guidance and the facilities needed to build the business, such as incubation space, mentoring and networking. Facilities differ by centre.

Applications for 2026-27 run from 24 September 2026 to 15 October 2026, 6:15 PM.

Pick one of the partner centres listed under this scheme and apply through that centre's own form. Keep these documents ready: birth certificate, caste certificate (or school-leaving certificate showing caste for Maratha applicants), domicile certificate, income / EWS / Non-Creamy Layer certificate, Aadhaar card, passport-size photo, bank passbook of a nationalised bank account in your own name linked to Aadhaar, and degree certificate.

Official papers: Advertisement and Selection criteria. Both are in Marathi.

Each partner incubator screens applications and invites shortlisted candidates to present their business plan and investment proposal. Check your centre's page for its own steps.

The program lasts one year. SARTHI works through 13 partner incubation centres, and each centre supports 10 entrepreneurs.