Free · High CapEx edition 2026
50 green businesses worth building big
For founders, family businesses and investors with ₹25 lakh to ₹50 crore to put to work. Each one checked for a paying buyer, an honest budget, a payback inside about five years and real climate impact, with the schemes, finance and players already in the market.

Showing all 50 ideas
Bio-input manufacturing plant
An FCO-registered plant making biofertilisers and biopesticides.
- Why now
- The natural farming mission and fertiliser subsidy changes are lifting demand.
- Already doing it
- IPL Biologicals · abroad: Koppert (Netherlands)
- Tip
- AIF covers bio-input plants. FCO registration needed for each product.
- Our take
- Policy-backed demand, good margins and AIF support. Product registration takes time. 79/100
Precision farming & crop monitoring
Sensors, satellite data and advice sold to farmer groups and agribusinesses.
- Why now
- Merges the two IoT farming ideas from 2025.
- Already doing it
- Fasal, CropIn · abroad: Climate FieldView (USA)
- Tip
- Sell to FPOs, which can pay from their grants.
- Our take
- Crowded with funded players and farmers resist paying. Weak viability. 56/100
Agri-drone spraying fleet
A drone fleet offering spraying and crop mapping per acre.
- Why now
- Namo Drone Didi and drone subsidies are building demand.
- Already doing it
- Garuda Aerospace, IoTechWorld · abroad: XAG (China)
- Tip
- Pilots need DGCA remote pilot certificates. Women's SHG partners can get 80% subsidy.
- Our take
- Subsidies on both supply and demand sides, with fast-growing spraying demand. DGCA rules add friction. 76/100
Recirculating aquaculture farm
An indoor RAS or biofloc fish farm.
- Why now
- PMMSY funding, and fish demand is growing faster than supply.
- Already doing it
- Aquaconnect (aquaculture platform) · abroad: Salmon Evolution (Norway)
- Tip
- PMMSY medium RAS unit cost is ₹25L, with 40–60% subsidy.
- Our take
- PMMSY pays 40–60% and fish demand is strong. RAS needs skilled operation. 73/100
Natural farming FPO cluster
A farmer-producer company that aggregates, certifies and brands produce.
- Why now
- FPO schemes provide equity grants and credit guarantees.
- Already doing it
- Sahyadri Farms (Nashik)
- Tip
- FPO equity grant up to ₹15L plus credit guarantee up to ₹2Cr.
- Our take
- Grants plus a credit guarantee, and Sahyadri Farms proves the model. Needs patient farmer mobilisation. 75/100
Pack-house & solar cold chain service
Pay-per-use sorting, packing and solar cold storage at farm clusters.
- Why now
- Moved up from the 2025 Low CapEx mini cold room idea.
- Already doing it
- Ecozen (solar cold rooms) · abroad: ColdHubs (Nigeria)
- Tip
- AIF gives 3% subvention on up to 25 sites at ₹2Cr each.
- Our take
- AIF subvention on up to 25 sites and a clear post-harvest loss problem. Solid all round. 78/100
Black soldier fly bio-factory
Turn tonnes of food waste a day into insect protein and frass.
- Why now
- GreenGrahi raised $3.8M in 2025 for a 150 tonne-a-day plant. Source
- Already doing it
- Loopworm, GreenGrahi · abroad: Protix (Netherlands), InnovaFeed (France)
- Tip
- Feed approvals needed. Raise venture capital through FoF 2.0 funds.
- Our take
- Proven abroad and VC-backed in India. Feed approvals and scale-up risk remain. 73/100
Biomass pellet plant
Make pellets from paddy straw to sell to coal power plants for co-firing.
- Why now
- 5% co-firing is mandatory (7% in NCR), and NCR plants must source at least half their raw material locally. Source
- Already doing it
- Punjab Renewable Energy Systems (PRESPL) · abroad: Drax (UK)
- Tip
- Sign long-term supply contracts with NTPC or state power plants. Straw supply chains get 65% subsidy.
- Our take
- Joint second-highest score. Co-firing mandates guarantee buyers, there's a straw supply-chain subsidy, and it fights stubble smoke. 85/100
Crop-residue baling & biomass supply hub
Bale paddy straw and other crop residue at harvest, store it, and sell it year-round to biogas plants, pellet makers and power plants.
- Why now
- Thermal plants must co-fire 7% biomass from FY26 and biogas plants need steady straw, while the crop residue scheme pays 80% of machinery cost for rural entrepreneurs, co-ops and FPOs. Source
- Already doing it
- Sukhbir Agro Energy, Punjab Renewable Energy Systems (PRESPL) · abroad: Enviva (US, biomass pellets)
- Tip
- Sign a multi-year offtake with one biogas or power plant before buying balers. Storage space and moisture control decide your margins.
- Our take
- A real supply gap with buyers the rules create. The risk is seasonal cash flow and late payment, so lock in offtake first. 78/100
Lithium-ion battery recycling
Recover black mass and metals from used EV and phone batteries.
- Why now
- New batteries must contain at least 5% recycled material from FY28. Source
- Already doing it
- Lohum, Attero · abroad: Redwood Materials (USA)
- Tip
- 20% capex subsidy under CMR. Register as a battery recycler under the Battery Waste Rules.
- Our take
- Strong mandate (recycled content from FY28) and a 20% capex subsidy, but the chemistry and capital are hard for newcomers. 77/100
E-waste recycling & refurbishing plant
A CPCB-registered dismantler and recycler that earns EPR certificates.
- Why now
- E-waste is at 14 lakh tonnes and rising, and EPR certificates add a second revenue line. Source
- Already doing it
- Attero, E-Parisaraa, Eco Recycling Ltd · abroad: Umicore (Belgium)
- Tip
- CPCB e-waste recycler registration. EPR certificates are a second revenue line.
- Our take
- Top score. 14 lakh tonnes a year of e-waste, two revenue lines (metals plus EPR) and a capex subsidy. 87/100
C&D waste recycling plant
Crush and grade construction debris into certified recycled aggregate.
- Why now
- From April 2026, large builders must buy EPR certificates, starting at 25% and reaching 100% by FY29. Source
- Already doing it
- Re Sustainability (Delhi C&D plants) · abroad: Renewi (Netherlands)
- Tip
- From Apr 2026 builders must buy C&D EPR certificates. City land and tipping fees come through SBM tenders.
- Our take
- New EPR rules from Apr 2026 force builders to buy. Few modern plants exist. 85/100
Textile recycling mill
Mechanical recycling of textile waste into yarn and fibre.
- Why now
- The textile recycling market is projected at $3.5 billion by 2030. Source
- Already doing it
- Usha Yarns · abroad: Recover (Spain)
- Tip
- Recycled-yarn mills often qualify for state textile policy subsidies too.
- Our take
- Huge waste stream and a proven Panipat model. Margins depend on fibre quality. 74/100
Plastic recycling to granules & rPET
Wash and pelletise plastic waste and sell EPR certificates.
- Why now
- 62,175 producers and importers must buy EPR certificates every year. Source
- Already doing it
- Ganesha Ecosphere, Banyan Nation · abroad: Veolia (France)
- Tip
- Register as a plastic waste processor. rPET for food contact needs FSSAI and BIS approval.
- Our take
- Every producer must buy EPR certificates. Crowded at the low end, so aim for food-grade rPET. 83/100
Used cooking oil biodiesel plant
Refine collected used oil into biodiesel.
- Why now
- Supplied by RUCO aggregators, and oil companies buy UCO biodiesel.
- Already doing it
- Muenzer Bharat · abroad: Neste (Finland)
- Tip
- Oil companies buy biodiesel through tenders. Supply comes from RUCO aggregators.
- Our take
- Steady oil-company offtake and RUCO supply. Margins track diesel prices. 76/100
Sanitary waste processing
Decentralised processing units for sanitary waste.
- Why now
- Real need, but city tenders pay slowly.
- Already doing it
- PadCare Labs · abroad: Knowaste (UK)
- Tip
- City and institutional contracts. Pollution control board consent needed.
- Our take
- Real need, but city payments are slow. 62/100
Legacy landfill biomining
Clear old dumpsites under city contracts and sell what is recovered.
- Why now
- Swachh Bharat 2.0 funds dumpsite clearing. Contract-driven business.
- Already doing it
- Zigma Global Environ Solutions
- Tip
- 2,417 dumpsites are listed for clearing. Bid on city tenders.
- Our take
- 2,417 dumpsites to clear with central funding. Payment delays are the main risk. 73/100
Solar panel recycling
Recover glass, aluminium and silicon from end-of-life solar panels.
- Why now
- Solar panels now fall under e-waste EPR, and the first big wave of retirements is coming.
- Already doing it
- India is early, with no scaled player yet · abroad: SolarCycle (USA), ROSI (France)
- Tip
- Solar panels fall under the E-waste Rules, so register as an e-waste recycler.
- Our take
- Few compete, but large-scale panel retirements are still years away, so volume is thin today. 58/100
Tyre recycling to crumb rubber
Make crumb rubber and recovered carbon black from used tyres.
- Why now
- Tyre EPR has applied since 2022. Avoid pyrolysis-only models.
- Already doing it
- Tinna Rubber · abroad: Genan (Denmark)
- Tip
- Tyre EPR certificates. Avoid pyrolysis-only models.
- Our take
- Tyre EPR and road demand for crumb rubber. A steady industrial business. 74/100
Areca & bagasse tableware factory
Automated lines making compostable plates and containers.
- Why now
- The scaled-up version of L21, for export and quick-service restaurant chains.
- Already doing it
- Chuk (Yash Pakka), Ecoware · abroad: Vegware (UK)
- Tip
- State industrial policies add capital subsidies. Export certifications open the US and EU markets.
- Our take
- Plastic ban and export demand. Margins compete with Chinese imports. 72/100
Reusable crates & pallet pooling
Rent reusable crates, pallets and containers in place of single-use packaging.
- Why now
- A more concrete version of 2025's vague 'circular packaging'.
- Already doing it
- Leap India (pallet pooling) · abroad: CHEP (Australia/global)
- Tip
- No direct subsidy. Customers' EPR goals drive demand.
- Our take
- No subsidy, and adoption is slow outside large retailers. 62/100
MSW to torrefied charcoal
Turn city waste into torrefied charcoal for power plant co-firing.
- Why now
- NCR power plants must co-fire 2% torrefied MSW charcoal. Source
- Already doing it
- NTPC Varanasi MSW-to-charcoal plant
- Tip
- NCR power plants must co-fire 2% torrefied MSW charcoal. City waste comes through SBM contracts.
- Our take
- Mandated demand in NCR, but the technology is unproven at scale in India. 66/100
Registered vehicle scrapping facility
A licensed yard that depollutes and dismantles old vehicles, issues scrapping certificates, and sells steel, parts and EPR credits.
- Why now
- Since April 2025 vehicle makers must meet yearly scrapping targets for vehicles they sold 15 to 20 years ago, starting at 8% of the steel and rising to 18% from 2035. Source
- Already doing it
- Tata Motors Re.Wi.Re (8 yards), Mahindra MSTC Recycling (CERO), Maruti Suzuki Toyotsu · abroad: LKQ (US), Sims Metal (Australia)
- Tip
- Tie up with a vehicle maker, fleet owner or state transport body for a steady feed of vehicles before you build. Certificates and EPR credits matter as much as scrap steel.
- Our take
- Policy now forces demand from vehicle makers, but it needs land, permits and a reliable flow of vehicles, so partner before you build. 77/100
Solar-as-a-service for MSMEs
Install solar for factories with no upfront cost, paid back through monthly bills.
- Why now
- MSMEs want lower power bills but can't spare capital.
- Already doing it
- Fourth Partner Energy, CleanMax · abroad: Enfinity Global (global)
- Tip
- Clients get 40% depreciation. SIDBI and banks fund the developer's capital.
- Our take
- Joint second-highest score. MSMEs want cheaper power without capex, and 40% depreciation helps. Crowded, so finance is the edge. 85/100
Compressed biogas plant
Turn agri, dairy and food waste into CBG and fertiliser under SATAT.
- Why now
- Mandatory CBG blending rises from 1% in FY26 to 5% by FY29. Source
- Already doing it
- Verbio India, GPS Renewables · abroad: Nature Energy (Denmark)
- Tip
- Up to ₹10Cr MNRE grant (Phase II pending). SATAT offtake plus the blending mandate.
- Our take
- Strong mandates and a large grant, but many CBG plants have struggled on feedstock and offtake. 71/100
Dairy biogas & slurry business
Biogas plus organic manure from large dairy farms.
- Why now
- Gobardhan scheme support, and every dairy has the feedstock.
- Already doing it
- Banas Dairy bio-CNG (Deesa) · abroad: Vanguard Renewables (USA)
- Tip
- Partner with dairy co-ops for manure supply.
- Our take
- Dairy co-ops supply manure and buy back gas. Gobardhan-type support. Strong. 78/100
EV charging hubs & battery swapping
Fast-charging and swap stations at depots and highways.
- Why now
- EV sales are at a record high and fleet operators need uptime.
- Already doing it
- Battery Smart, Sun Mobility, Statiq · abroad: Gogoro (Taiwan)
- Tip
- PM E-DRIVE funds public charging on government land. Bid with state nodal agencies.
- Our take
- Strong demand but brutal capital needs and low utilisation in early years. 67/100
Solar + battery storage integrator
Hybrid solar and battery systems for businesses and buildings.
- Why now
- Battery prices have fallen and time-of-day tariffs reward storage.
- Already doing it
- Inverted Energy · abroad: Fluence (USA)
- Tip
- Businesses buy behind-the-meter storage. Utility-scale VGF only reaches you if you win state or NTPC tenders.
- Our take
- Falling battery prices and time-of-day tariffs. A solid integrator business. 76/100
PM-KUSUM feeder solar developer
Small solar plants that power farm feeders under KUSUM component A or C.
- Why now
- 13 lakh grid pumps have been solarised so far, with a guaranteed buyer for the power. Source
- Already doing it
- MSKVY 2.0 developers in Maharashtra
- Tip
- Bid in state component C feeder tenders, which come with 25-year power purchase agreements.
- Our take
- Guaranteed 25-year power purchase with farm-feeder demand. Strong viability and impact. 81/100
Industrial heat pumps & solar thermal
Replace boilers in food, textile and pharma plants.
- Why now
- Process heat is a large emissions source that few players address.
- Already doing it
- Clique Solar · abroad: Rondo Energy (USA)
- Tip
- ADEETIE gives clients 5% subvention plus a free audit, which makes the sale easier.
- Our take
- Big emissions lever and ADEETIE helps clients pay. Long sales cycles. 70/100
Rooftop solar installer for homes
Register as a PM Surya Ghar vendor, then design, install and service home rooftop systems that the subsidy pays up to ₹78,000 towards.
- Why now
- About 50 lakh homes now have rooftop solar under PM Surya Ghar, and the government is targeting 75 lakh by December 2026. Source
- Already doing it
- Tata Power Solar, SolarSquare, Loom Solar, Fenice Energy · abroad: Sunrun (US), Enpal (Germany)
- Tip
- Win one district on install speed and after-sales service, and keep working capital for the wait on net-metering inspections.
- Our take
- The strongest demand on this list, but it is crowded. Installers win on speed, service and local trust, not on price alone. 79/100
Smart water metering & leak detection
Meters and analytics for cities and gated communities.
- Why now
- Cities lose a large share of water to leaks and unbilled use.
- Already doing it
- WEGoT Utility Solutions · abroad: Kamstrup (Denmark)
- Tip
- City AMRUT and smart-city tenders, plus gated communities.
- Our take
- Clear water-loss problem, but city tenders are slow. 66/100
Society STP & greywater operator
Build and run sewage treatment plants for housing societies.
- Why now
- Many states require STPs in new buildings, and running them is recurring revenue.
- Already doing it
- Ion Exchange · abroad: Organica Water (Hungary)
- Tip
- Many states require STPs in large buildings, so offer annual maintenance contracts.
- Our take
- Rules require STPs, and operation contracts give recurring revenue. 80/100
Groundwater recharge contractor
Large recharge and lake-revival works for companies and CSR.
- Why now
- Overlaps L42. Keep only as the contract-scale version.
- Already doing it
- Biome Environmental Solutions
- Tip
- CSR and government water-mission contracts.
- Our take
- Steady CSR and government work, but overlaps L42. 67/100
NABL water testing lab
An accredited lab for drinking water and industrial effluent.
- Why now
- Jal Jeevan testing plus industry compliance gives steady volume.
- Already doing it
- EFRAC, Equinox Labs · abroad: Eurofins (Luxembourg)
- Tip
- NABL accreditation is essential. Jal Jeevan and pollution control board testing give steady volume.
- Our take
- Steady compliance demand. Low direct impact. 76/100
Treated wastewater for industry
Sell treated city sewage to industry as process water.
- Why now
- Several states require industries near cities to use treated water.
- Already doing it
- VA Tech Wabag · abroad: PUB NEWater (Singapore)
- Tip
- Industries near cities with sewage treatment plants must use treated water in several states.
- Our take
- State rules push industry to treated water. Contracts are complex. 71/100
Community RO water ATMs
A network of RO water ATMs.
- Why now
- Moved from the Low CapEx book.
- Already doing it
- Piramal Sarvajal · abroad: WaterHealth International (USA/India)
- Tip
- Panchayat land plus CSR capital, with users paying per litre.
- Our take
- Proven (Sarvajal), but thin per-litre margins. 63/100
EV retrofitting
Convert petrol and diesel vehicles to electric.
- Why now
- Needs ARAI-approved kits. Promising for commercial fleets.
- Already doing it
- E-Trio · abroad: Zero Labs (USA)
- Tip
- Each retrofit kit needs ARAI or ICAT type approval.
- Our take
- Each kit needs type approval, so it is slow to start. 57/100
Electric cargo fleet leasing
Lease electric three-wheelers and small trucks to logistics firms.
- Why now
- Merges the two last-mile delivery ideas from 2025.
- Already doing it
- Zypp Electric, Magenta Mobility · abroad: Einride (Sweden)
- Tip
- E-truck and e-3W incentives under PM E-DRIVE. Lease to logistics firms.
- Our take
- Logistics firms want electric fleets and subsidies help. Asset-heavy. 79/100
Battery-as-a-service for e-rickshaws
Lithium battery subscriptions and swap points for e-rickshaws.
- Why now
- Moving e-rickshaws from lead-acid to lithium is a large, underserved shift.
- Already doing it
- Battery Smart · abroad: Ampersand (Rwanda)
- Tip
- Works with existing e-rickshaw fleets. Battery EPR applies.
- Our take
- Lead-acid to lithium switch across lakhs of e-rickshaws. Strong demand. 79/100
Organic & biodegradable fabrics
Make organic cotton, hemp and other natural fibre fabrics.
- Why now
- Export brands drive demand. Margins are thin.
- Already doing it
- Pratibha Syntex
- Tip
- State textile policies, plus export brand certifications such as GOTS.
- Our take
- Export demand, but thin margins. 61/100
Fly ash bricks & green building blocks
Fly ash bricks, AAC blocks and recycled-content materials.
- Why now
- Rules favour fly ash use near power plants, and construction demand is steady.
- Already doing it
- Magicrete · abroad: CarbonCure (Canada)
- Tip
- Power plants within 300 km must supply fly ash, and fly ash bricks are favoured in public works.
- Our take
- Mandated fly ash supply and steady construction demand. Crowded. 75/100
Natural dyes & pigments plant
Industrial-scale natural dye production.
- Why now
- Overlaps L56. Keep only as the factory-scale version.
- Already doing it
- AMA Herbal · abroad: Stony Creek Colors (USA)
- Tip
- Export brands pay a premium for certified natural dyes.
- Our take
- Niche export demand with few compete, but overlaps L56. 64/100
Moulded pulp packaging
Egg trays, electronics inserts and food containers from paper and agri pulp.
- Why now
- Brands replacing plastic packaging to meet EPR targets.
- Already doing it
- Pakka (Yash Pakka) · abroad: Huhtamaki (Finland)
- Tip
- EPR pressure on brands creates demand.
- Our take
- EPR-driven switch away from plastic. Solid factory business. 74/100
Engineered bamboo products
Bamboo boards, flooring and panels replacing timber and plywood.
- Why now
- The scaled-up version of L58, with National Bamboo Mission support.
- Already doing it
- Few at scale yet (Northeast clusters) · abroad: MOSO (Netherlands)
- Tip
- National Bamboo Mission processing subsidy, plus Northeast industrial policy.
- Our take
- Wide-open market with Bamboo Mission support. Needs processing know-how. 72/100
Carbon accounting & MRV software
Software for the carbon market, CBAM and BRSR data.
- Why now
- The carbon market's first credits are due in Oct 2026. CBAM charges started in Jan 2026. Source
- Already doing it
- Sprih · abroad: Persefoni (USA), Sweep (France)
- Tip
- No subsidy. CCTS, CBAM and BRSR regulations drive demand.
- Our take
- New regulation creates demand, but many funded software players. 71/100
Carbon project developer
Develop cookstove, biochar and agroforestry credit projects.
- Why now
- 12 offset methodologies have been listed under India's carbon market. Source
- Already doing it
- Varaha, EKI Energy Services · abroad: South Pole (Switzerland)
- Tip
- Register projects on the Indian Carbon Market portal under the approved methodologies.
- Our take
- New Indian carbon market plus voluntary buyers. Verification risk. 73/100
Biochar carbon removal plant
Industrial biochar with certified carbon-removal credits.
- Why now
- Durable carbon removal sells at a large premium to ordinary offsets.
- Already doing it
- Varaha · abroad: Exomad Green (Bolivia), Carbofex (Finland)
- Tip
- Carbon-removal buyers pay a premium. Use registries such as Puro.earth or Isometric.
- Our take
- Carbon removal sells at a premium and the soil co-product adds revenue. 79/100
Climate-tech incubator
An incubator and advisory for green startups.
- Why now
- Dropped: needs a sponsor such as a university, state or company, so it is not a standalone business.
- Our take
- Needs a sponsor, so it is not a standalone business. 55/100
Energy-efficiency contractor (ESCO) for MSMEs
Audit factories, then finance and install efficient motors, boilers, compressors and controls, and get paid from the energy saved.
- Why now
- The ₹1,000 crore ADEETIE scheme pays for energy audits plus 3–5% interest subvention on efficiency loans for MSMEs in 14 energy-heavy sectors until FY28. Source
- Already doing it
- EESL, Smart Joules, Enfragy · abroad: Ameresco (US), Siemens Smart Infrastructure
- Tip
- Start in one ADEETIE cluster and one sector, like textiles or food processing, and sell guaranteed savings rather than equipment.
- Our take
- Subsidised demand and quick paybacks for factories. Success depends on measuring savings well and earning trust one cluster at a time. 80/100
The schemes, explained
Status as of October 2026. Schemes change, so check the source before you apply.
| Scheme | What you get | Who can apply | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture Infrastructure Fund | 3% interest subvention for 7 years on loans up to ₹2Cr per project (up to 25 projects), with a CGTMSE guarantee. Covers post-harvest, cold chain, sorting, primary processing, composting and bio-inputs. | Farmers, FPOs, agri-entrepreneurs, startups, co-ops. 10% own contribution. | Active to FY29. Source |
| MSE-GIFT | 2% interest subvention for 5 years on term loans up to ₹2Cr for green technology, plus risk sharing. | Udyam micro and small units buying machines from the approved green technology list. | Outlay covered 2023-24 to 2025-26. Check whether it has been extended. You can claim GIFT or SPICE, not both. Source |
| SIDBI green finance (4E, GFS) | Concessional loans for solar, energy efficiency and clean tech: 4E up to ₹15Cr, Green Finance up to ₹50Cr. | MSMEs, and vendors serving them. | Active. Source |
| Bio-input Resource Centre (NMNF) | ₹1L grant in two tranches to set up a cluster bio-input centre. | Natural-farming entrepreneurs, SHGs and FPOs in NMNF clusters. Sheds and land are not covered. | Active. Target 10,000 centres. Source |
| Startup India Seed Fund | Up to ₹20L grant for prototype and proof of concept, up to ₹50L as debt or convertible for market entry. | DPIIT-recognised startups under 2 years old (Pvt Ltd, LLP or partnership), with under ₹10L from other government schemes. | Active. Source |
| Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 | ₹10,000 crore routed through about 145 VC funds, prioritising deep tech and manufacturing. | Startups raising venture capital from SEBI-registered funds backed by the scheme. | Approved Feb 2026. Source |
| 10,000 FPO scheme | Matching equity grant up to ₹15L, ₹18L management support over 3 years, credit guarantee on loans up to ₹2Cr. | Registered farmer producer organisations. | Active to 2027-28. Source |
| Agri-drone subsidies | Namo Drone Didi: 80% (max ₹8L) for women's SHGs. SMAM and Kisan Drone: 40–75% depending on category, up to ₹5–8L. | Women's SHGs, FPOs, CHCs and individuals with an agri background. | Active. Source |
| PMMSY | Subsidy of 40% of unit cost, 60% for women and SC/ST. Covers RAS, biofloc, seaweed rafts and bivalves. | Fish farmers, women's groups, FPOs and entrepreneurs, through state fisheries departments. | Active. Source |
| PMFME | 35% credit-linked capital subsidy, up to ₹10L per micro food-processing unit, plus ₹40k seed capital per SHG member. | Individuals, SHGs, FPOs, co-ops and companies running micro food units. | Ran to 30 Sep 2026. A 2026–31 extension with a higher cap has been proposed. Source |
| National Bioenergy Programme (MNRE) | Grant (CFA) of ₹4Cr per 4,800 kg/day of CBG (max ₹10Cr per project), plus grants for biogas, briquette and pellet plants. | Developers of CBG, biogas, biomass pellet and briquette plants. | Phase I ended Mar 2026. ₹857 Cr for Phase II is waiting for approval. Source |
| Biomass co-firing mandate | Guaranteed demand: coal plants must co-fire 5% biomass pellets (7% in NCR including 2% torrefied MSW charcoal). | Pellet and torrefied charcoal makers selling to thermal plants. | Policy notified Nov 2025. Source |
| Crop Residue Management scheme | 50% subsidy on balers and machines for farmers, 80% for custom hiring centres and co-ops, 65% for paddy straw supply-chain projects. | Farmers, FPOs, co-ops, CHCs and aggregators in Punjab, Haryana, UP and Delhi. | Active. FY27 target is 141 new supply chains. Source |
| SATAT + CBG blending obligation | Oil companies buy CBG under long-term offtake. Gas companies must blend 1% CBG in FY26, rising to 5% by FY29. | CBG producers who sign SATAT letters of intent. | Active. Source |
| Critical Mineral Recycling Incentive | 20% capex subsidy on plant and machinery plus an opex incentive on incremental sales. One-third of the ₹1,500 Cr is reserved for small recyclers and startups. | Recyclers of e-waste, Li-ion scrap and catalytic converters. New units and expansions. | Active FY26–FY31. Source |
| EPR certificate markets | Registered recyclers earn tradeable EPR certificates that producers must buy (plastic, e-waste, batteries, tyres, used oil, C&D). | Recyclers and processors registered on the CPCB EPR portals. | Active. Source |
| MSE-SPICE | 25% capital subsidy on plant and machinery, up to ₹12.5L on ₹50L of machinery. | Existing (brownfield) Udyam micro and small units in 11 circular sectors: plastic, rubber, e-waste, MSW, CBG, Li-ion, ELV, scrap metal, solar panels, hazardous waste, used oil. Must meet EPR targets. | Outlay covered 2023-24 to 2025-26. Check whether it has been extended. Source |
| Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 | City funding for MRFs, composting, C&D plants and legacy dumpsite clearing, awarded as city contracts. | Private operators bidding on urban local body tenders. | Running 2021–26. Check whether the next phase has started. Source |
| FSSAI RUCO | Large food businesses must send used oil to authorised aggregators and biodiesel makers. | Aggregators authorised by FSSAI and BDAI-linked biodiesel makers. | Active. Source |
| PMEGP | Margin-money subsidy of 15–35% of project cost on a bank loan (35% rural for women, SC/ST, OBC, minorities). Project cap ₹50L manufacturing, ₹20L service. | Any individual 18+ (Class 8 pass for projects above ₹10L/₹5L), SHGs, trusts, co-ops. New units only. | Lapsed 31 Mar 2026. Five-year renewal is waiting for approval, so check before applying. Source |
| CGTMSE | Government guarantee so banks lend without collateral, up to ₹10 crore per borrower. | Udyam-registered micro and small enterprises, manufacturing and services. | Active. Source |
| 40% accelerated depreciation | Write off 40% of solar plant cost in year 1 (WDV), cutting taxable income. | Any business owning a solar plant used in its business. | Active. Source |
| PM E-DRIVE | ₹2,500/kWh (max ₹5,000) on e-rickshaws and e-carts. Also funds public charging, e-trucks and e-ambulances. | Buyers of eligible EVs. The incentive is built into the price at purchase. | E-3W incentives to Mar 2028. E-2W incentives ended Jul 2026. Source |
| VGF for battery storage | ₹18L/MWh viability gap funding for 30 GWh of battery storage. | Only state utilities and NTPC run the tenders. Private developers win the projects through tariff bids. | Second tranche active. Source |
| PM-KUSUM | Component B: subsidised off-grid solar pumps. Component C: solarising grid pumps and farm feeders, with guaranteed power purchase from the discom. | Farmers, FPOs, panchayats. Developers bid for feeder solar under component C. Installers must be empanelled by the state. | Runs to Mar 2027. KUSUM 2.0 (about ₹50,000 Cr) proposed. New pump subsidy rates not yet notified. Source |
| ADEETIE (BEE) | 5% interest subvention for micro and small (3% for medium) on ₹10L–₹15Cr loans for energy-efficient technology, plus a free investment-grade energy audit and DPR. | Udyam MSMEs in or within 200 km of 60 notified energy-intensive clusters, with at least 10% energy savings. | Active FY26–FY28. Source |
| PM Surya Ghar | Homes get ₹30k/kW up to 2kW plus ₹18k for the 3rd kW (max ₹78k). Housing societies get ₹18k/kW for common areas. Loans at about 5.75%. | Households and RWAs. Installers must register on the national portal with a ₹2.5L bank guarantee per state (₹25L national). | Active. 50 lakh homes done, target 1 crore. Source |
| PM Mudra Yojana | Collateral-free loans: Shishu up to ₹50k, Kishore up to ₹5L, Tarun up to ₹10L, Tarun Plus up to ₹20L. | Non-farm micro and small businesses. Tarun Plus only for borrowers who have repaid a Tarun loan. | Active. Source |
| Company CSR (Schedule VII) | Companies must spend 2% of profits on CSR. Environment, water and plantation projects qualify. | Implementers, usually registered trusts or Section 8 companies, though businesses are often paid as vendors. | Active. |
| National Bamboo Mission | 50% back-ended capital subsidy on bamboo processing units (60% for SC/ST, women). | Entrepreneurs, SHGs and FPOs. Credit-linked through banks, with state-wise rules. | Active. Source |
| Carbon Credit Trading Scheme offsets | Earn Carbon Credit Certificates from approved emission-reduction projects. 12 methodologies are listed. | Non-obligated entities registering projects on the Indian Carbon Market portal. | First credits expected around Oct 2026. Source |
Starting smaller?
A Low CapEx edition with 50 green businesses you can start for under ₹5 lakh is written and waiting. If enough of you ask, it goes up next.



