FINANCE MINISTER NIRMALA SITHARAMAN INTRODUCES A DEDICATED ₹10,000 CRORE SME GROWTH FUND, TO CREATE FUTURE CHAMPIONS, INCENTIVIZING ENTERPRISES BASED ON SELECT CRITERIA

• ₹10,000 crore SME Growth Fund announced in Union Budget 2026-27 (presented 1 Feb 2026) by FM Nirmala Sitharaman to create "future champions" among MSMEs through equity support based on select criteria.
• Forms the equity pillar of a three-pronged MSME strategy: Equity + Liquidity (TReDS) + Professional (Corporate Mitras) support.
• Highly examinable for Prelims (scheme name, corpus, ministry) and Mains GS-III (MSME, growth, employment).