Top 25 Best Business Ideas Under 10 Lakhs in India
Hetvi Vashi, Sourav Banik
Author

Nearly 5.93 crore MSMEs are registered in India, employing almost 25 crore people. India, the land of frugal innovation, gives massive scope for startups of different kinds to flourish and expand further to become large corporations! Some of the classic examples of such fast-growing startups, are Flipkart, and Dunzo. They are some of the best businesses under 10 lakh investments, grown exponentially today!
Let’s explore 10 best business ideas under 10 lakhs and ignite the spirit of entrepreneurship and tread the path to the ultimate financial freedom.
Top 15 Business Ideas under Rs 10 lakhs Investment
With the dynamic exposure to Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Gemini, it is very easy to generate a plethora of business ideas. However, it takes a creative idea, a strategic business plan, 24*7 improvisation on efforts, constant diversification, ensuring product-market fit, and adapting to new changes in technology and consumer needs, to get the bottom line exceeding the desired targets.
Let’s explore the 10 best businesses under 10 lakhs and kickstart the new wave of entrepreneurship with a limited budget.
1. Cloud kitchen
Cloud kitchen has been a buzzing business trend these days, raging on popular social media platforms. For people looking to start business ideas under 10 lakhs, cloud kitchen tops the list owing to its simplicity and low investment capital. Below are the steps to start a cloud kitchen from home:
Steps to start this business:
- You can start with a small 250 - 300 square feet area (can be rented or using your home kitchen).
- Register yourself in Google My Business with photos of your cloud kitchen menu.
- Prepare the menu and deliverables that your business will supply
- You can partner with major food-delivering platforms such as Swiggy, Zomato, or Uber Eats.
- Have proper storage space and essential equipment such as refrigerator, chimney, water purifier, etc.
- The next step is to get a food license, for which you need to proceed to the FSSAI site
- Connect with reliable food vendors or local vendors for supply of fresh food ingredients
- Market your cloud kitchen in social media to gain maximum customer engagement.
Expected earnings: Cloud kitchen is perhaps the best to start with 10 lakhs owing to the high profit margin and minimal investments. You can expect monthly earnings to be around 12 - 20%, amounting to ₹ 50,000 - ₹ 60,000.
2. Laundry business
Laundry businesses have low-risk exposure with a huge customer base in India. Furthermore, market trends reports suggest that the laundry services market will expand to $15 billion in 2025.
Steps to start this business:
- Rent a small space, preferably near a marketplace.
- You would need to purchase 4 - 5 washing machines.
- Hire at least two or more laundry attendants.
- Your laundry space should have sufficient cleaning agents, chemicals, colour-protection bleaching agents.
- Maintain proper water drainage system.
- Safety measures including fire extinguishers.
- Maintain sufficient hangers.
- Purchase at least three iron presses.
- Spread the word about your new laundry business over social media.
Expected earnings: This can vary according to the services you offer such as dry cleaning with laundry pickup services. Expect average earnings of ₹ 1 - 2 lakhs monthly.
3. Yoga studio business
The health and wellness sector in India is expected to skyrocket a massive growth of 6.05% by 2029. Yoga studio is the best business under 10 lakhs due to less business risk and high potential Indian market.
Steps to start this business:
- Apply for Yoga Instructor by registering in the Yoga Ayush portal online and get registered.
- Rent a proper space to build your yoga studio, the basic studio can be a 500 - 700 square feet room with sufficient ventilation and proper air conditioning.
- Set up basic yoga studio facilities such as yoga mats, cushions, yoga straps, eye pillows.
- Start by building a basic website featuring yoga services, studio location, timings.
- Build online visibility by providing yoga solutions in public forums such as Quora, Reddit, etc.
Expected earnings: Based on your monthly charges and workshop charges your profit will vary. You can expect average earnings to be ₹ 50,000 - ₹ 1,00,000 monthly.
4. Business of travel agency
Currently, travel and tourism is one of the most attractive opportunities to explore among many business ideas under 10 lakhs. As per reports of the Ministry of Tourism, the total inflow of tourists in India was 9.24 million in 2023.
Steps to start this business:
- You can start with a physical space, or venture into an online travel agency.
- Get registered as a travel agency with the IRCTC.
- You can also partner with OTA partners such as ClearTrip, and Yatra.
- Choose a specific type of tourism service such as a travel itinerary or heritage tourism.
- Set your price based on the price set by your competitors.
- Market your business on various social media. You can also collaborate with travel influencers and vloggers, depending on your budget.
Expected earnings: The market reports suggest that travel agencies in India will have an expected revenue hike to $67 billion by 2027. Depending on market statistical information, earnings can vary anywhere from ₹ 70,000 to ₹ 1,00,000.
Know the easy steps to start a travel agency in India.
5. Incense manufacturing business
Incense manufacturing is one of the most budget-friendly business ideas with 10 lakh investment. You can start this business even with a minimum capital of ₹ 50,000 and gradually scale up.
Steps to start this business:
- You need to rent a bigger space, preferably a 1000 - 1200 sq. feet area.
- Start by analyzing the main competitors, and their weaknesses.
- Register your business along with applying for GST registration, a trade license, SSI Registration, and Pollution certificate.
- Outsource raw materials such as bamboo sticks, white chips, masala.
- Hire a few workmen and purchase 3 - 4 automatic machines.
- Seek out wholesalers and vendors who will network and sell to retailers directly.
Expected earnings: You can expect monthly earnings of ₹ 60,000 - ₹ 1 lakhs if you are operating on 3 automatic machines.
6. Retail bakery business
The retail bakery is expected to grow at 9.9% by 2032 in India. The highly profitable nature of this business makes it one of the best to start with 10 lakhs.
Steps to start this business:
- You will first need to choose a space in a busy area, preferably a buzzing market.
- Get your business major licenses such as a Municipal Corporation Health License, FSSAI License, and GST License.
- Ensure the availability of major kitchen equipment, deep refrigerators, and blende₹
- Hire at least two experienced chefs with knowledge of baking.
- Understand your customers, which are mostly children and the urban population.
- Build your supply chain network by consulting local suppliers.
- Partner with any food delivery platforms or a logistics management partner.
Expected earnings: You can expect 20 - 40% profit on earnings.
7. Tissue paper-making business
Here is another idea for the best business under 10 lakhs. The tissue paper market in India is another lucrative market to explore. In 2024, the total revenue of the tissue paper market was $40.61 billion, which is expected to grow by 5.40% by 2029.
Steps to start this business:
- You will need to rent a small factory shed.
- Lease essential machines such as digesters, refiners, press rolls, and pulping machines.
- You need to hire a few people for stamping, and packaging.
- Connect with a logistics partner to deliver your manufactured goods to the nearest warehouse.
Expected earnings: The annual earnings can range from ₹ 80 lakhs to ₹ 1 crores, depending on the production capacity and price set per tissue paper bundle.
8. Hair salon business
The Indian salon industry is one of the top performers among profitable small businesses. Currently valued at ₹ 2100 crores, jump into this venture today with these easy steps.
Steps to start this business:
- Proper market research is essential here, so analyze the major salons in your region, their ideal customers, and the price charged.
- Try to lease out in an area with fewer salons, opt for ground floor areas.
- Apply for trade registrations and GST licenses.
- You must hire at least two hair stylists and two housekeeping staff.
- Arrange for required tools like straightener brushes, face moisturizer sprays, hair gels, hair steamers, and face rejuvenation masks.
Expected earnings: You can expect monthly revenue to be within the range of ₹ 60,000 to ₹ 1 lakh excluding running expenses and staff salary.
9. Logistics franchise business
The major benefit of having a franchise is you may get the opportunity of standing on a higher profit margin which a new business may not guarantee. In India, the franchise model of logistics is a highly profitable venture in business ideas with a 10 lakh investment.
Steps to start this business:
- Ensure that you have at least 1000 - 1500 sq. feet of space available for storage.
- Having an automobile with a commercial driving license is compulsory.
- You can choose any logistics partner such as BlueDart, DTDC, or Flipkart for franchising.
10. Grocery store business
Perhaps the most simple and best business idea under 10 lakhs is opening a grocery store. The market is expected to reach ₹ 850 billion by 2025.
Steps to start this business:
- Find a storage space near a residential complex, but a bit away from the core market.
- Apply for a trade license, FSSAI license, GST registration.
- Develop vendor network to outsource fresh groceries.
Expected earnings: Grocery stores are one of the oldest businesses in India, and contribute to 20% of the Indian economy. You can expect a profit between 1 - 3% on monthly earnings.
11. Optical frame business
Manufacturing optical frames has turned into a highly profitable business in recent times. You can earn a profit of Rs. 200 - Rs. 300 per frame, and more depending on the quality of the frame. The optical market is expected to grow at a[CAGR of 5.26% between 2025 - 2029, which implies a great potential for the market to expand.
Steps to start this business:
- You can take up a franchise business with leading optical frame franchises such as Lenskart, Titan Eye+
- You can rent a small 200 sq. feet shop and outsource frames at a lower cost
- Market your business by Google My Business Ads for local outreach
Expected earnings: You can expect to get an initial profit of Rs. 200 - Rs. 300 per frame
Also read the top zero investment business ideas to start out in 2025.
12. Towel manufacturing business
Towels are needed in every hotel, household, laundry shop and on trains. Moreover, the Indian government generates a great demand for towels. In 2021, the government demanded almost all towels worth Rs. 5.5 lakhs for Chief Ministers, deputy chief whip, and opposition leaders according to published reports. This business has a wide earning potential, so added to this list.
Steps to start this business:
- Try to connect with local towel suppliers, and find a reliable vendor
- You can start this business completely online too by building an e-commerce site
- Launch an attractive referral program to reach the maximum number of customers
- Connect more with clothing stores and fashion brands
Expected earnings: An average earning in this business can lie anywhere between Rs. 4 - Rs. 10 lakhs annually
13. Ball pen business
Manufacturing ball pens have a strong earning margin as the cost of outsourcing raw materials is comparatively less. Just with a pen manufacturing machine, you can develop bulk goods and supply these to retail stores, or educational institutes. This business can be started with the least investment of Rs. 1 lakh.
Steps to start this business:
- You can start by purchasing a ball pen manufacturing machine, plastic caps and refills
- Contact a supplier to supply the basic raw materials
- Apply for GST registration, trade license and Business PAN Card
- You can partner with any few investors or apply for Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana
Expected earnings: You can expect to earn around Rs. 30,000 - Rs. 40,000 monthly
14. Packaged drinking water business
Another trending business under Rs. 10 lakhs is the packaged water business. By 2027, India recorded a total growth of 10.3% increase in demand for packaged drinking water. This business needs the least investment, and you can expect a higher profit margin due to the wide customer range. Almost every restaurant and workplace requires packaged drinking water, so this business has an all-season demand.
Steps to start this business:
- Complete the documentation by obtaining FSSAI and SSI certification
- Contact a dealer to buy a water bottle manufacturing machine
- Rent out a manufacturing unit space
- Get in touch with regional suppliers
Expected earnings: Because of paramount demand, one can earn between Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 70,000
15. Phone case manufacturing
Many small-scale entrepreneurs are getting to build a phone case manufacturing business because of its high demand, and better scope of earning. Almost every Indian carries a cell phone, and most of the population has a high demand for phone cases. One can improve on profit margin by manufacturing designed phone cases too, which have a wide customer range.
Steps to start this business:
- Research the target customers, it can be Gen Z people or the Millennial generation.
- Get in touch with regional distributors for channelising your products to major phone retails
- Build an e-commerce site to host phone cases
- Invest in better-quality mobile case printing machines
- Visit craft fairs and major phone trade fairs
Expected earnings: You can earn Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 60,000 monthly expected
16. Organic farming business
This is a high-profit return business in India with an investment of less than Rs. 10 lakhs. To begin with an organic farming business, you need to first apply for National Program For Organic Production (NPOP) certification. This is applicable in case you want to export your organic business products. However, if you wish to manufacture and sell in your country and locality, you need to apply for the Participatory Guarantee Scheme for India (PGS-India).
Steps to start this business:
- Obtain the certification
- Raise funding in your initial stage. You can apply for credit under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) for Rs. 31,500 per hectare for 3 years directly
- Collect land manure, and fertilizers and build a greenhouse.
- Select a clean water source
- Build logistics for transporting your crops directly to market.
- Hire a few agro-farmers who know about organic farming
Expected earnings: An expected earning for the same can go to Rs. 2 lakhs to Rs. 3 lakhs per month
17. Gym business
You can start this business with an initial investment of Rs. 8 lakhs to Rs. 10 lakhs. Although there is no proven roadmap for a successful gym business, most of the success of your business depends on engaging with customers. India has a higher proportion of health-aware people, and this has spiked the increase in gym count. You can expect a higher customer inflow during January, as media reports around 25-30% customer increase around that time.
Steps to start this business:
- Start by renting out a space that is near a bustling household
- Buy gym equipment from an authentic supplier
- Get funding from any interested investor, as the total investment can be much higher
- Select a specific pricing model. It can be a membership model or a dynamic pricing model
- Apply for a license under the Shops and Establishment Act
- Recruit a few gym trainers
Expected earnings: The earning depends entirely on the subscription model that your gym business has. It can range anywhere from Rs. 50,000 - Rs. 1 lakh per month.
18. Office cleaning services agency
The best business to start with 10 lakhs is beginning an office cleaning venture. You can begin an office cleaning business by franchising with an established cleaning business. There are a few franchise cleaning businesses such as Cult, and Anytime Fitness, and a few more which you can partner with.
Steps to start this business:
- Partner with a franchise business
- Arrange ingredients such as vacuum cleaner, runner gloves, and so on
- Select the most viable market for your business. This can be either the corporate houses, startups, or SME businesses
- Obtain for business license from your state municipality
- Adopt green technologies such as biodegradable cleaning bags, non-toxic air purifiers
Expected earnings: You can expect an average earnings of Rs. 50,000 - Rs. 80,000
19. Rental homes business
This business is good enough for those who have a house to rent out. People who are in their later stages of life, or wish for a passive income, can rely on this best business under 10 lakhs. Rental houses are in high demand, especially in Tier-II cities such as Chandigarh or Jaipur.
Steps to start this business:
- Rental houses need marketing or referral to attract customers. You can run online ads or engage a property broker to invite in more customers.
- Reconstruct and furnish your rental home
- Install basic amenities such as kitchen chimney and air conditioning.
- Apply for rental property registration online.
Expected earnings: The net earnings after paying out tax and maintenance can be around Rs. 30,000 - Rs. 50,000
20. Nursery business
If you are looking for a business that needs a minimal investment under Rs.10 lakhs, starting a nursery business is perhaps the best choice you will make. A nursery business can be started out with a minimal space, you just need to have an interest in plants and a minimum investment of Rs. 50,000 to buy a few plants. You can expand your business in the later stages too, depending on the revenue and customer inflow.
Steps to start this business:
- Rent out a small space
- Apply for Nursery Registration online
- Purchase a few nursery plants that have a higher demand
- Market your business online
Expected earnings: Initially, the expected earnings can range between Rs. 30,000 - Rs. 50,000. This can later expand to Rs. 80,000 depending on the customer acquisition.
Also know the steps to start a hardware business in India.
21. Web-design Agency
Almost every type of business needs a website to promote its products and services. In 2025, the demand for websites has increased significantly, as businesses attract a high number of visitors through their websites. Opening a web design agency will be a perfect choice, thus. Now, the industry is quite competitive, so you have to first figure out your niche, and the industry you want to serve.
Steps to start this business:
- First, know the industry trends and your specific design category
- Select the types of design services our agency will offer, such as building an entire website, only designing, or offering brand logo design
- Create the objectives of your agency. This will help you to find the target client more easily
- Develop the pricing model for your agency. It can be a monthly subscription based, or based on individual projects
- Promote your business by either running a paid ad or collaborating with micro-influencers to promote your site to gain market visibility.
- Insure your business against mishaps such as loss of client's documents, and any legal costs claims with a professional indemnity insurance policy
Expected earnings: You can expect to earn more if you extend your services to global clients, where monthly earnings can vary between Rs. 40,000 - Rs. 70,000
22. Catering Business
The need for caterers is always high, as they are required for major events such as birthdays and marriages. Starting our own catering business will require a minimal investment, where you only need to pay for your staff and the cutlery and serving equipment. You can expect to get the majority of clients from wedding events, birthdays, office events, and a few more places.
Steps to start this business:
- Fix your business budget and the total working capital that you will be investing
- Create an expense sheet where you will divide off the expenses according to the major expenses such as licensing, monthly rent, staff wages, and obtaining trade permits
- Purchase necessary catering equipment as well as a freezer for storing the leftover food
- Contact a daily food supplier along with vendors to connect you with marriages
- Obtain FSSAI permit and trade license
Expected earnings: You can expect a monthly earning between Rs. 50,000 - Rs. 70,000. You can stretch the profit margin to Rs. 1,00,000 if you can serve in marriages and corporate events across the country.
23. Custom Gift Business
This business is a low investment one which you can easily start under Rs. 10 lakhs. You can offer products such as anniversary cards, various showbiz, decorative cups, flower bouquets, Indian arts, paintings, potteries, and more. All of this can be easily sold if you choose to sell in events, trade fairs, or small handicraft assemblies.
Steps to start this business:
- Select an appropriate location for your store. If you choose to sell online, you should build an e-commerce store that lists your products
- You can also select a franchise of popular gift businesses to share your initial investment with the brand and lower your initial financial risk
- Select the maximum investment you are ready to take up in this business. Set up a minimum profit margin, and set your budget to be spent on necessary tasks such as manufacturing the gift items and decorating the store.
- Select the target customer. Your customer will determine the types of products that you will be selling, such as more decorative pieces of art, or abstract art.
- Register your business and apply for a business license and legal certifications such as a Certificate of Incorporation
- Always protect your business immediately after business incorporation is done. You can buy a commercial crime insurance policy that offers protection against fraudulent employee activities, or wrongful abstraction
- Offer seasonal gifts and seasonal discounts to attract more customers
Expected earnings: You can expect your monthly earnings to be between Rs. 50,000 - Rs. 70,000. Earnings depend on the location you have chosen, the types of customers you have, and the total monthly visits of your customers.
24. Poultry Farming Business
Indian restaurants and Indian households are the biggest consumers of poultry eggs. If you are looking to start a business under Rs. 10 lakhs, nothing can be as good as a poultry farming business. Statistically speaking, the demand for poultry eggs has risen exponentially over the years in India,according to a statistical source.
Steps to start this business:
- You would first need finance to fund your business, for which you can raise funds from Udyam Registration. You can register as an MSME with your business plan and necessary documents
- Develop a business plan. Your business plan will consist of the hen and rooster breed, egg manufacturing technique, selection of broiler, etc
- Select the type of chicken you want your business to fund, such as broiler chicken or rooster chicken for egg farming
- Select a specific location that has sufficient space for raising the birds. Ensure that the space is at least 25,000 - 30,000 sq ft for letting the birds live comfortably and breed
- Purchase bird feeds, coops, and water tanks for feeding the birds
- Obtain permission to set up your farm with documents such as NOC, rental agreement
- Vaccinate your poultry birds periodically. Always visit a certified veterinarian to check if your policy is having any disease
Expected earnings: The expected earnings from your poultry business can be Rs. 2 lakhs monthly, including taxes and rentals. You can expect your income levels to be Rs. 80,000 - Rs. 1 lakh monthly.
25. Photo Framing Business
The photo framing business is a great business with minimal investment, you only need a small space and a few ingredients such as frames to start off. Photo framing business is a trending business too, you do not need much marketing or capital burning to get into the core of the business.
Steps to start this business:
- The first thing is market search, which will let you understand your target customers. Based on that, you will be able to estimate the suitable customers
- Select a shop or space in a marketplace. A marketplace naturally attracts most people, which is extremely suitable for getting your business the right highlight
- Outsource supplies such as acrylic, wooden frames, glass, and adhesive
- Insure your business after incorporating as a sole proprietor. Insurance is necessary for your business even if your business is a smaller one, as calamities such as theft or burglary can occur anytime. A theft and burglary insurance will financially cover you even in the cases of theft or shop break-in
Expected earnings: You can expect our net earnings from this business to be Rs. 40,000 - Rs. 50,000 monthly. However, the income levels may not remain constant, and can always vary depending on the services you offer.
Which is The Best Business To Do In 2025?
The best business to do in 2025 depends on a few factors which you need to be mindful of. Gaining success in a business is not rocket science, but not swimming a jackpot too. Success depends on various factors, of which understanding your target customer and your experience matters most. For example, if you have years of experience as a backend developer, it may not suit you to work in the poultry business as you may not understand strategies to raise birds. You can choose to start a website designing agency though, where your experience and skills can contribute much.
- Always look for these factors to have a thorough understanding before starting your business:
- Your knowledge of the business
- Your years of experience in the domain of business
- Outsourcing costs of raw materials
- Ease of new entry and exit in the market
- Competitiveness of market
- The investment amount to be incurred
Read also top government loan schemes for women entrepreneurs in India.
Factors to Consider Before Starting a Business Under 10 Lakh Rupees in India
When working on a business idea under 10 lakhs in India, it requires solid planning and considering several factors with a systematic approach. Here’s a set of guidelines to support your entrepreneurial spirit:
Step 1: Market Research:
When starting a business, it is important to research the demands for the products or service, the trends of consumers over different timelines, and the status of competitors, to thoroughly understand the strengths and opportunities and be careful about the weaknesses and threats.
Step 2: Check feasibility:
With the market research in place, the next step is to analyze the viability of the business idea, by reviewing the operational runway, revenue potential, scope of making losses, and any barriers whether legal, operational or market barriers.
Step 3: Create a business plan:
Develop an intricate business plan that has clarity on the type of business model, operational functions and process, predefined market and target audience, estimate financial projections, and curate unique strategies for marketing and promotion. The budding entrepreneurs can attract lucrative offers from investors and have a strong foundation for prime decision-making in business with a well-crafted business plan.
Step 4: Legal compliance:
When starting a business in India, it is vital to abide by the legal regulations and ensure stringent compliance with the government regulations. This includes business registration, acquiring licenses and certification, following the tax guidelines, and refraining from illegal activities while manufacturing, supplying, or marketing.
Step 5: Funding options:
As a budding entrepreneur or startup founder, bootstrapping and lending from immediate family and friends, or business loans from a bank are common options. However, with the dynamic evolution of business space, he/she can also consider and prepare for investor funding. It is important to consider the right funding option based on the plan to grow the business.
Step 6: Business Insurance:
When the funding options are clear, consider buying business insurance to shield the funding compensation as well as secure the operational runway and emerging profits. The requirement of insurance varies according to the nature, industry, and size of the business, so it is important to have personalized insurance for every business. Covrzy simplifies business insurance and provides tailored coverage aligning with the specific requirements of the business. Get a quote today!
Conclusion:
With the emerging markets, recent consumer trends, and the increase in inclination towards technology, India offers great potential for budding entrepreneurs to experiment, expand, and excel with their creative business ideas. It is best to start with 10 lakhs as the investment amount or less and explore different strategies to ensure there is a balance between the desired profit and calculated loss. Some of the best business ideas with minimum investment are cloud kitchen, logistics, manufacturing, bakery, or starting a travel agency, etc., which will have a wider scope of growth and profitability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore moreWhat business can I start with 10 lakhs?
You can start any business from a grocery store to a cloud kitchen with Rs. 10 lakhs. There are multiple options based on your field of expertise and networking capabilities.
Which is the best manufacturing business to start with 10 lakhs in India?
The best manufacturing businesses will be incense stick manufacturing, and tissue paper manufacturing. All of these businesses have minimal risks and high return on investment.
Do you have more questions?
Contact us for any queries related to business insurance, coverages, plans and policies. Our insurance experts will assist you.