
Startups
Operating Profit vs Net Profit: Key Differences
Understand the difference between operating profit and net profit, their calculations, and significance in business finance. Learn how they impact financial analysis.
Sanil Basutkar
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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.
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
Expected earnings: You can expect monthly earnings of ₹ 60,000 - ₹ 1 lakhs if you are operating on 3 automatic machines.
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:
Expected earnings: You can expect 20 - 40% profit on earnings.
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:
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.
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:
Expected earnings: You can expect monthly revenue to be within the range of ₹ 60,000 to ₹ 1 lakh excluding running expenses and staff salary.
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:
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
Expected earnings: An average earning in this business can lie anywhere between Rs. 4 - Rs. 10 lakhs annually
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:
Expected earnings: You can expect to earn around Rs. 30,000 - Rs. 40,000 monthly
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:
Expected earnings: Because of paramount demand, one can earn between Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 70,000
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:
Expected earnings: You can earn Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 60,000 monthly expected
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:
Expected earnings: An expected earning for the same can go to Rs. 2 lakhs to Rs. 3 lakhs per month
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:
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.
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:
Expected earnings: You can expect an average earnings of Rs. 50,000 - Rs. 80,000
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:
Expected earnings: The net earnings after paying out tax and maintenance can be around Rs. 30,000 - Rs. 50,000
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:
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.
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:
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
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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.
Read also top government loan schemes for women entrepreneurs 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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Coverbiz simplifies business insurance and provides tailored coverage aligning with the specific requirements of the business. Get a quote today!
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.
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.
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.
Contact us for any queries related to business insurance, coverages, plans and policies. Our insurance experts will assist you.

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