Till now, subsidy of Rs 5.64 crore has been provided to 79 eligible candidates.
The Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Startup Scheme, run by the Himachal Pradesh government, has shown the state’s youth a new path toward self-reliance and a respectable livelihood. This scheme not only provides financial assistance to unemployed youth but also encourages them to pursue new technologies and environmentally friendly businesses. Under the scheme, many youth have established a new dimension of employment by starting e-taxi services. This initiative not only provides youth with sustainable livelihood opportunities but also promotes green energy and pollution-free transportation.
In keeping with the spirit of environmental protection and sustainable development, the adoption of electric vehicles is rapidly increasing in Himachal Pradesh. The Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Startup Scheme has emerged as a powerful vehicle for this transformation. Under the scheme, youth are provided with a 50 percent subsidy and a 40 percent bank loan for the purchase of an e-taxis, with only 10 percent of the cost being borne by the beneficiary.
The government also provides a guaranteed income to youth who receive e-taxi permits. These e-taxis are being linked to government departments, local bodies, boards, corporations, autonomous institutions, and government undertakings, ensuring a regular monthly income for beneficiaries. Under the scheme, vehicles are contracted with government offices for a period of five years, which can be extended by two years if needed.
What is the plan
The Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Startup Scheme is an ambitious initiative aimed at providing self-employment opportunities to youth. Under this scheme, beneficiaries are required to provide a 50 percent subsidy, a 40 percent bank loan, and a mere 10 percent personal contribution. The government has arranged for these e-taxis to be linked to government departments for four to five years, ensuring an income of approximately ₹50,000 per month for youth. The nodal department for this scheme is the Department of Labor and Employment, Himachal Pradesh.
For the current financial year 2025-26, the Himachal Pradesh government has made a budget provision of ₹66.41 crore. To date, the department has provided subsidies of ₹2.72 crore to 40 eligible candidates for the purchase of e-taxis. 20 e-taxis were flagged off by the Honorable Chief Minister on July 5, 2025, at the Secretariat. Of these 20 eligible individuals, 7 are from Bilaspur district, 1 from Chamba, 5 from Hamirpur , 3 from Kangra, and 4 from Una, totaling ₹1.30 crore. These candidates are providing e-taxi services to various government departments/organizations across the state on a fixed monthly payment for a maximum period of 5 years, extendable by another 2 years.
In this regard, the Honorable Chief Minister flagged off 18 e-taxis from Oak Over on October 15, 2025. These 18 eligible candidates include two from Chamba, one from Hamirpur, three from Kangra, two from Kullu, three from Kinnaur, four from Shimla, two from Solan, and one from Sirmaur, who have been provided subsidies totaling over ₹1.28 crore. These candidates will also provide their services to the respective government departments/organizations allotted to them by the Department of Labor, Employment, and Overseas Placement. To date, a total subsidy of ₹5.64 crore has been provided to 79 eligible candidates.
In Shimla district alone, subsidy of Rs 53 lakh 44 thousand 795 has been given to 6 beneficiaries.
How to apply
To provide a digital platform for online application for the subsidy, a dedicated web portal was developed by the Department of Labor, Employment, and Foreign Employment and launched in August 2024. Interested candidates can apply online by visiting the official website of the scheme. Applications must be accompanied by a residence certificate, Aadhaar card, income certificate, education certificate, a valid driving license, and a driving experience certificate. Only those who are permanent residents of Himachal Pradesh, at least 23 years of age, and hold a valid driving license are eligible to benefit from the scheme. Candidates who have passed the 10th or 12th grade and have 10 or 7 years of driving experience, respectively, are eligible to apply. Only one person per family can benefit from this scheme, and the beneficiary must be able to drive the e-taxi themselves.
This scheme is a symbol of the commitment of the Himachal Pradesh Government, which is not only making the youth of the state self-reliant, but is also leading the state towards green, clean and sustainable development.
Manish is getting Rs 75,000 every month.
Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Startup Yojana beneficiary Manish Kumar, a permanent resident of Narkanda, said that when he came to know about this scheme, he applied online and in the year 2024, he purchased a car worth Rs 26 lakh, in which a subsidy of about Rs 12 lakh was provided by the state government.
Manish Kumar thanked the Himachal Pradesh government and Honorable Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, saying that the state government has provided him with a vehicle as well as self-employment. His vehicle is located in the General Administration Department of the Himachal Pradesh Secretariat, where he is paid 75,000 rupees per month.
Anil of Nankhari received honor from self-employment
Anil Kumar, a resident of Nankhari, said that the Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Startup Scheme has not only provided him with the opportunity for self-employment but also a chance to earn a respectable living. His vehicle is currently employed with the Jal Shakti Department in Rampur. Today, he earns a good income from this e-taxi, which provides a comfortable living for his family.
