ICAI MSME Pathshala on Collateral-Free Loans Up to ₹10 Crore Scheduled for August 21
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) scheduled MSME Pathshala Series 110 for Friday, 21 August 2026, on the topic "Collateral-Free MSME Loans Up to Rs 10 Crore for New & Existing Businesses". The session was listed from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on the ICAI event page for MSME Pathshala Series 110, which also carried the official live link for members.
Programme details
- Series: MSME Pathshala Series 110
- Date: 21 August 2026
- Time: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
- Topic: Collateral-free MSME loans up to Rs 10 crore for new and existing businesses
- Access: ICAI live portal linked from the event page
The event page describes the session as covering collateral-free loan options of up to Rs 10 crore for both new and existing ventures. It does not name the speakers or list individual schemes, eligibility rules, interest rates or sanction conditions.
Where the Rs 10 crore figure comes from
The Rs 10 crore figure matches the ceiling of guarantee cover under the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) scheme. CGTMSE provides guarantee cover to lending institutions on credit extended to micro and small enterprises, in return for an annual guarantee fee, which is what allows such loans to be given without collateral.
CGTMSE Circular No. 251/2024-25 dated 18 March 2025 refers to the enhancement of the ceiling of guarantee coverage from Rs 5 crore to Rs 10 crore. The same circular revised the annual guarantee fee (AGF) for guarantees approved or renewed from 1 April 2025, including enhancements in existing working capital accounts:
| Guaranteed amount | Annual guarantee fee |
|---|---|
| Up to Rs 10 lakh | 0.37% |
| Above Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh | 0.55% |
| Above Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore | 0.60% |
| Above Rs 1 crore to Rs 2 crore | 0.85% |
| Above Rs 2 crore to Rs 5 crore | 1.00% |
| Above Rs 5 crore to Rs 8 crore | 1.10% |
| Above Rs 8 crore to Rs 10 crore | 1.20% |
The guarantee fee adds to the cost of a covered loan. CAs preparing loan proposals should ask the lender how the fee will be recovered and include it in the cost of funds shown in projections.
Why it matters for CAs
CAs are often involved in preparing financial statements, projections, borrowing proposals and compliance records that MSMEs submit to lenders. Collateral-free credit is a recurring question when a client needs working capital or expansion finance but lacks property to offer as security.
The Rs 10 crore figure is a ceiling, not an entitlement. A lender still decides whether a borrower is creditworthy, how much to sanction and whether to seek a guarantee cover. Advisers should not present the webinar title as an assurance that every MSME will get Rs 10 crore without security. Before advising a client or preparing an application, check the lender's own policy and the current CGTMSE scheme document for eligibility, coverage and fee terms.
Members who missed the live session can check the ICAI event page for any recording or further communication from the Institute.
Updated on 28 September 2026: expanded the item with the official CGTMSE circular on the Rs 10 crore guarantee ceiling and the revised annual guarantee fee slabs from 1 April 2025.
