Business, Startups & MSME Schemes

PMFME is a Centrally Sponsored scheme of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries that gives micro food processing units a 35% credit-linked subsidy up to Rs 10 lakh, plus Rs 40,000 seed capital per SHG member. Individual entrepreneurs, SHGs, FPOs and cooperatives apply online at pmfme.mofpi.gov.in.

PMEGP is the Ministry of MSME credit-linked subsidy scheme that gives a margin money subsidy of 15% to 35% of project cost for new micro enterprises, up to a project of Rs 50 lakh in manufacturing and Rs 20 lakh in services. Anyone above 18 can apply free at kviconline.gov.in, contributing 5% to 10% of the cost.

Startup India Seed Fund Scheme is the DPIIT scheme with a Rs 945 crore outlay that gives DPIIT-recognised startups incorporated within the last 2 years up to Rs 20 lakh as a grant for proof of concept and up to Rs 50 lakh for commercialisation. Startups apply free at seedfund.startupindia.gov.in through a selected empanelled incubator.

Udyam Registration is the free online MSME registration run by the Ministry of MSME at udyamregistration.gov.in. Businesses with plant and machinery investment up to Rs 125 crore and turnover up to Rs 500 crore can register in one sitting using Aadhaar and PAN, and receive a permanent Udyam Registration Number and e-certificate with no renewal ever required.

Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups gives lenders a government guarantee on collateral-free loans to DPIIT-recognised startups, with maximum cover raised to Rs 20 crore per borrower from 8 May 2025. CGSS covers 85% of default up to Rs 10 crore and 75% above it. Startups apply through a member lending institution.

Fund of Funds for Startups is a DPIIT scheme operated by SIDBI that commits capital to SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Funds, which then invest in DPIIT-recognised startups. FFS 1.0 had a Rs 10,000 crore corpus and Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 adds another Rs 10,000 crore from 13 April 2026. Only AIFs apply.

MSME Champions Scheme is a Ministry of MSME umbrella programme with three components: MSME Sustainable (ZED), MSME Competitive (Lean) and MSME Innovative. It subsidises up to 80% of ZED certification cost for micro units, 90% of Lean consultancy cost, and reimburses IPR fees up to Rs 5 lakh. Udyam registered enterprises apply online.

MSME Sustainable (ZED) Certification is a voluntary Ministry of MSME scheme that certifies Udyam-registered manufacturing units at Bronze, Silver or Gold level costing Rs 10,000, Rs 40,000 and Rs 90,000. Micro units get an 80 per cent subsidy, small 60 per cent and medium 50 per cent. Apply online at zed.msme.gov.in after taking the ZED Pledge.

The Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme gives Export Promotion Councils, trade bodies and exporters financial assistance to enter overseas markets, funding trade fairs, market studies, brand promotion and statutory compliance. Government bodies can get up to 100% and exporters a share of costs. Eligible organisations apply to the Department of Commerce; individuals cannot claim a personal benefit.

Marketing Incentive is a component of Handloom Marketing Assistance under the National Handloom Development Programme of the Ministry of Textiles. It pays handloom agencies an incentive of 10% on their average sales, up to Rs 15 lakh for primary societies and Rs 1 crore for state-level organisations, with the benefit shared between the agency and its weavers through DBT.

The National Handicrafts Development Programme (Emporia component), run by the Ministry of Textiles, funds retail emporia that market artisans' handicrafts. It gives up to Rs 60 lakh to set up a new emporium and up to Rs 15 lakh to renovate an existing one, with 80% (90% in the North East) borne by the government. It is an institutional scheme, so individual artisans cannot apply.

The PLI Scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage is a Rs 18,100 crore central scheme of the Ministry of Heavy Industries that pays selected companies incentives for setting up gigawatt-scale battery cell manufacturing in India, with 50 GWh of capacity targeted. Companies were selected through competitive bidding; individuals cannot apply.

The PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs is a Rs 6,940 crore Department of Pharmaceuticals scheme to make 41 critical Key Starting Materials, Drug Intermediates and APIs in India through greenfield plants over 2020-21 to 2029-30. Selected companies earn incentives of up to 20% on incremental sales; individuals cannot apply.

The PLI Scheme for Drones and Drone Components was a Rs 120 crore central scheme of the Ministry of Civil Aviation that paid Indian manufacturers an incentive of 20% of their value addition over FY 2022-23 to FY 2024-25. It was a company incentive scheme with low turnover thresholds for MSMEs and start-ups; individuals cannot apply. The scheme period has closed.

The PLI Scheme for Pharmaceuticals is a Rs 15,000 crore Department of Pharmaceuticals scheme that pays selected companies incentives of 3% to 10% on incremental sales of high-value products over six years (FY 2022-23 to 2027-28). Companies applied online through the Department; individuals cannot apply for a personal benefit.

The PLI Scheme for Medical Devices is a Rs 3,420 crore Department of Pharmaceuticals scheme that pays selected companies 5% of incremental sales over five years for making high-end medical devices in India across four segments. It ran from FY 2020-21 to 2027-28; individuals cannot apply for a personal benefit.

The PLI Scheme for Specialty Steel is a Rs 6,322 crore Ministry of Steel scheme that pays selected companies incentives of 4% to 15% on incremental sales of five categories of specialty steel made in India. Three rounds have run since 2021, with the latest MoUs signed in February 2026. Individuals cannot apply for a personal benefit.

The PLI Scheme for Textiles is a Rs 10,683 crore central sector scheme of the Ministry of Textiles that pays companies turnover-linked incentives for making man-made fibre (MMF) apparel, MMF fabrics and technical textile products in India. Companies apply online through the Ministry of Textiles; individuals cannot apply for a personal benefit.

The PLI Scheme for White Goods is a Rs 6,238 crore DPIIT scheme that pays selected companies incentives of 4% to 6% on incremental sales of air conditioner and LED light components made in India over five years. It runs from FY 2021-22 to 2028-29; individuals cannot apply for a personal benefit.

The Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) is a Rs 10,900 crore central sector scheme of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, running FY 2021-22 to FY 2026-27, that pays companies sales-linked incentives for making ready-to-eat foods, processed fruits and vegetables, marine products and mozzarella. Companies applied online; individuals cannot apply.

RAMP is a Rs 6,062.45 crore World Bank-supported Central Sector programme of the Ministry of MSME running from 2022 to 2027. RAMP funds state Strategic Investment Plans and sub-schemes rather than paying individuals, so MSMEs benefit by applying to its component schemes such as MSE GIFT, SPICE, ODR and ZED at ramp.msme.gov.in.

RoSCTL rebates embedded state and central taxes and levies on exports of apparel, garments and made-up textiles that no other scheme refunds, issued as transferable duty credit e-scrips at product-wise rates of up to about 6.05% (state) plus central components of FOB value. Exporters claim it via the shipping bill; individuals cannot claim. It runs until 30 September 2026.

RoDTEP refunds embedded central, state and local duties and taxes on exported goods that no other scheme rebates, at rates of roughly 0.3% to 4.3% of FOB value, issued as transferable e-scrips in the exporter's ICEGATE ledger. Exporters claim it by flagging the shipping bill; individuals cannot claim a personal benefit. It runs until 30 September 2026.

The Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES) gives central and state government agencies grant-in-aid to build or upgrade export infrastructure such as testing labs, cold chains, border haats and trade promotion centres. The grant is capped at Rs 20 crore per project (up to 80% of equity in NE and Himalayan states). Eligible agencies apply to the Department of Commerce; individuals and private firms cannot claim.

The 2nd Loan under PMEGP lets an existing profit-making PMEGP, REGP or MUDRA unit borrow again to upgrade, with margin money subsidy of 15% of project cost (20% in NER and hill states) on a project of up to Rs 1 crore in manufacturing or Rs 25 lakh in services. Apply online on the PMEGP e-portal.

ASPIRE is a Ministry of MSME scheme that funds incubators, not individuals. It gives a one-time grant of up to Rs 100 lakh for a Livelihood Business Incubator set up by a government agency, 50% or up to Rs 50 lakh in PPP mode, and up to Rs 100 lakh as a seed capital fund per incubator. Institutions apply to the Scheme Steering Committee.

Advance Authorisation is a DGFT duty-exemption scheme that lets exporters import inputs physically incorporated in an export product without paying customs duty, subject to a minimum 15% value addition and an export obligation, usually completed within 18 months. It is meant for manufacturer exporters and merchant exporters tied to a supporting manufacturer, applied for online at dgft.gov.in.

Assistance to Training Institutions (ATI) Scheme is a Ministry of MSME scheme that gives capital grants to government training institutions for entrepreneurship and skill development infrastructure, with state Entrepreneurship Development Institutes eligible for up to Rs 3 crore per case. Institutions apply by proposal to the Ministry; individuals cannot apply directly.

The Bank Guarantee Charges Reimbursement Scheme of the Ministry of MSME reimburses the bank guarantee charges that micro and small enterprises pay to avail financial assistance from the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC). It lowers the cost of the security an MSE must furnish. Registered MSEs apply through NSIC, not as individuals.

Bank Loan Processing Fee Reimbursement Scheme, a sub-component of the National SC-ST Hub under the Ministry of MSME, reimburses 80% of the bank loan processing charges paid by an SC/ST-owned micro or small enterprise, capped at Rs 1,00,000 (excluding taxes). SC/ST entrepreneurs apply through the National SC-ST Hub portal at scsthub.in.

Coir Udyami Yojana is a credit-linked subsidy scheme of the Coir Board under the Ministry of MSME for setting up coir units with a project cost up to Rs 10 lakh plus one cycle of working capital. It funds 40% as government subsidy, 55% as bank loan and 5% beneficiary contribution. Apply through Coir Board field offices or District Industries Centres.

Coir Vikas Yojana is a Coir Board scheme under the Ministry of MSME that supports coir workers and units through training, welfare insurance and capital subsidy. Rural women artisans trained under Mahila Coir Yojana get a 75% subsidy on motorised ratts, and processing units get 25% equipment subsidy up to Rs 6 lakh. Apply through Coir Board regional offices.

Coir Vikas Yojana - Export Market Promotion Scheme is a Central Sector scheme run by the Coir Board under the Ministry of MSME to boost coir exports through 6 kinds of support - delegations, seminars, international fairs, publicity abroad, market development assistance and industry awards. Coir manufacturers, entrepreneurs and exporters apply through the Coir Board.

Skill Upgradation and Mahila Coir Yojana is a component of Coir Vikas Yojana, run by the Coir Board under the Ministry of MSME. It funds training, Entrepreneurship Development Programmes and awareness events for the coir industry, with all training also open to women under the Mahila Coir Yojana. SHGs, NGOs and government bodies apply through Coir Board Regional Offices.

The Coir Industry Technology Upgradation Scheme (CITUS) is a component of Coir Vikas Yojana under the Ministry of MSME that reimburses 25% of the cost of eligible plant and machinery, up to a ceiling of Rs 2.50 crore per coir unit. Registered coir producers and entrepreneurs apply online to the Coir Board at coirboard.gov.in.

The Consortia & Tender Marketing Scheme is run by NSIC under the MSME Ministry to help Micro and Small Enterprises win bulk government and PSU tenders they are too small to bid for alone. NSIC forms consortia of MSEs, bids on their behalf and charges a service fee. Annual enrolment costs from Rs 1,000 plus GST, with SC/ST entrepreneurs exempt.

The NSFDC Term Loan is a concessional credit scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment that finances up to 90% of a project costing above Rs 1.40 lakh and up to Rs 50 lakh for Scheduled Caste beneficiaries whose annual family income is up to Rs 5 lakh. Apply through a State Channelising Agency or the PM-SURAJ portal.

Credit Enhancement Guarantee Scheme for the Scheduled Castes is a Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment scheme, launched in 2014-15 with a corpus of Rs 200 crore and administered by IFCI Ltd. It gives banks and NBFCs a guarantee cover for loans to SC-owned companies with at least 51% Scheduled Caste shareholding, so entrepreneurs apply through a member lending institution.

Design Scheme is a component of the MSME Innovative Scheme under the Ministry of MSME that funds professional design intervention. The government pays 75% of the cost for micro units and 60% for small and medium units on projects up to Rs 40 lakh, and reimburses 75% up to Rs 1.5 lakh on student design projects. Apply on innovative.msme.gov.in.

Entrepreneurship Skill Development Programme (ESDP) is a Ministry of MSME scheme offering free entrepreneurship and skill training to people aged 18 and above, restructured with a Rs 495 crore outlay for 2021-22 to 2025-26 and requiring 40% women participation. Candidates apply directly to an MSME Development and Facilitation Office or partner institute.

The EPCG Scheme lets exporters import capital goods at zero customs duty, against a commitment to export goods or services worth six times the duty saved within six years. It is open to manufacturer exporters, merchant exporters tied to a manufacturer and service providers holding an IEC, and is administered online by the DGFT under the Foreign Trade Policy 2023.

Export Promotion Council Membership Reimbursement Scheme, a National SC-ST Hub component of the Ministry of MSME, reimburses 80% or Rs 20,000 (excluding GST), whichever is less, in a financial year to SC/ST-owned micro and small enterprises for the membership or entry fee of an Export Promotion Council. Apply online at scsthub.in.

The Group Workshed Scheme is a Ministry of Textiles subsidy that pays 25% of the cost of building a common powerloom workshed, up to a ceiling of Rs 80 per square foot. It is open to cooperative societies, groups of at least four powerloom owners, associations and individual units. Applications go through the Office of the Textile Commissioner.

Incubation Scheme, a component of the MSME Innovative scheme of the Ministry of MSME, gives up to Rs 15 lakh per idea to a recognised Host Institute to nurture an innovative idea into a product, plus up to Rs 1 crore for plant and machinery. Innovators apply through a Host Institute at innovative.msme.gov.in, not directly.

The IPR component of the MSME Innovative Scheme reimburses micro, small and medium enterprises up to Rs 5,00,000 for a foreign patent, Rs 1,00,000 for a domestic patent and smaller amounts for GI, design and trademark filings, and gives grants of up to Rs 65,00,000 to set up IP Facilitation Centres. Apply online at innovative.msme.gov.in.

International Cooperation (IC) Scheme is a Ministry of MSME central sector scheme running since 1996 that reimburses export-related costs. First-time MSE exporters get 75% of RCMC charges up to Rs 20,000 and 75% of testing and certification cost up to Rs 1 lakh a year, while organisations get airfare and space rent reimbursed. Apply at ic.msme.gov.in.

CBFTE, a sub-scheme of the Ministry of MSME's International Cooperation Scheme, reimburses first-time micro and small exporters for early export costs to 75% of RCMC fees up to Rs 20,000, export insurance premium up to Rs 10,000 a year, and 75% of testing and quality certification up to Rs 1 lakh a year. Micro and small enterprises apply online at ic.msme.gov.in.

Khadi Gramodyog Vikas Yojana is a KVIC umbrella scheme under the Ministry of MSME, continued for 2021-22 to 2025-26 with a proposed outlay of Rs 6,769.78 crore. Khadi Gramodyog Vikas Yojana funds worksheds for artisans at 75% of cost up to Rs 1.20 lakh, interest subsidy, marketing assistance, Honey Mission and Kumhar Sashaktikaran. Apply through KVIC offices.

The General Term Loan (GTL) of the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) is a concessional loan of up to Rs 15 lakh for Safai Karamcharis, manual scavengers and their dependents to start income-generating work. It is routed through State Channelising Agencies, not applied for directly to the central corporation.

MSME Competitive (LEAN) Scheme is a Ministry of MSME programme that funds lean manufacturing consultancy for Udyam-registered enterprises across three levels. The Basic level is free, and the government pays 90% of implementation cost: up to Rs 1,08,000 at Intermediate and Rs 2,16,000 at Advanced level. Enterprises register at lean.msme.gov.in.

MSME Innovative Scheme merges the Ministry of MSME's Incubation, Design and IPR sub-schemes into one programme. Host Institutes get up to Rs 15 lakh per approved idea and up to Rs 1 crore for plant and machinery, design projects get 75% of cost up to Rs 40 lakh, and patent registration is reimbursed up to Rs 5 lakh at innovative.msme.gov.in.

Mahila Samriddhi Yojana is a micro-finance scheme of the National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) that lends up to Rs 1.40 lakh per woman from the Backward Classes at a concessional 4 per cent interest a year for self-employment. Women apply through NBCFDC's State Channelising Agencies, self-help groups or partner NGOs, not directly to NBCFDC.

MSE-CDP is a Ministry of MSME scheme that funds shared infrastructure for clusters of micro and small enterprises. The Government of India pays up to 70% of a Common Facility Centre costing up to Rs 20 crore, and 90% in North Eastern, hill and aspirational districts. Special Purpose Vehicles apply online at cluster.dcmsme.gov.in.

Modified Market Development Assistance (MMDA) is a KVIC scheme that pays khadi institutions financial assistance of 35% of the prime cost of cotton, woollen and polyvastra khadi (20% for silk). Of this, 35% goes directly to spinners and weavers as an incentive. Registered khadi institutions apply online with quarterly claims through the KVIC portal.

This National Livestock Mission component gives a 50% capital subsidy, up to Rs 25 lakh in two instalments, to set up a rural poultry unit of at least 1,000 parent birds with a mother unit. Individuals, SHGs, FPOs, cooperatives and Section 8 companies can apply online at nlm.udyamimitra.in.

This National Livestock Mission component gives a State Government a one-time grant of up to Rs 150 lakh to build a pig semen collection and processing lab, plus Rs 30 lakh for consumables. Funding is 60:40 (90:10 for NER and Himalayan states). It is an institutional grant to states, not an individual benefit.

Promotion of Piggery Entrepreneur is the pig component of the National Livestock Mission Entrepreneurship Development Programme. It gives a 50% capital subsidy up to Rs 30 lakh to individuals, FPOs, SHGs and companies who set up a pig breeder farm, released in two instalments through a bank-linked loan. Apply online at nlm.udyamimitra.in.

National SC-ST Hub is a Ministry of MSME central sector scheme that helps SC/ST-owned micro and small enterprises win the 4% share of government procurement reserved for them. It offers 25% capital subsidy up to Rs 25 lakh on plant and machinery and 80% reimbursement of loan processing, bank guarantee and testing fees at scsthub.in.

The National Startup Awards, run by DPIIT under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, recognise outstanding DPIIT-recognised startups across more than 15 sectors. Winning startups receive a cash prize of Rs 5,00,000 each plus mentoring and opportunities to present to government and investors. Startups apply free through the Startup India portal during the annual application window.

Component 1A of PM-MKSSY formalizes India's fisheries sector by registering fishers, fish workers, vendors, processors and micro-enterprises on the National Fisheries Digital Platform, and helps them access government working capital financing programmes. It runs under the Rs 6,000 crore PM-MKSSY sub-scheme from 2023-24 to 2026-27, with registration free on the NFDP portal.

PRISM Category-1 is a Department of Scientific and Industrial Research scheme that funds individual innovators to turn an idea into a proof of concept, prototype or working model. It gives up to Rs 2,00,000 or 90% of the project cost, whichever is lower, for projects up to Rs 5 lakh. Any Indian citizen with an original idea can apply through a DSIR outreach centre.

The Plantation Development Scheme under the Rubber Board's Medium Term Framework Plan gives rubber growers a subsidy for new planting and replanting. A general grower gets about Rs 40,000 per hectare, with higher support for SC growers and the North East. A minimum of 0.10 hectare of contiguous land is required. Apply online through the Rubber Board's portal.

PMKVY Short Term Training gives unemployed youth aged 15 to 45 free, NSQF-aligned skill training of roughly 150 to 300 hours across more than 40 sectors, a government-recognised certificate, and placement support. Training is free and delivered at empanelled centres; enrol through the Skill India Digital Hub.

Procurement and Marketing Support Scheme helps Udyam-registered micro and small enterprises exhibit and sell. PMS pays 80% of trade fair space rent for general category units and 100% for SC/ST, women, NER and divyang units, up to Rs 1.50 lakh per event in a metro, for a maximum of two events a year. Applications are online.

The PLI Scheme for Automobile and Auto Component Industry is a Rs 25,938 crore Ministry of Heavy Industries scheme that pays incentives on incremental sales of Advanced Automotive Technology products over a five-year period. It supports approved Champion OEMs and Component Champions, established companies and new investors, not individual applicants. Applications are made to the Ministry.

Promotion of MSMEs in North Eastern Region and Sikkim is a central sector scheme that funds State Governments, not individuals. It pays 90% of the cost of a Mini Technology Centre up to Rs 10 crore and 80% of industrial estate infrastructure up to Rs 8 crore. State Governments submit proposals to the Office of DC (MSME).

Reimbursement of Membership Fee in Government Promoted E-Commerce Portals is a Ministry of MSME marketing-support measure that refunds the registration or membership fee a micro or small enterprise pays to list on government-backed online marketplaces such as GeM, which was launched in 2016. Eligible units apply through the Ministry's official channels.

The SITARE-GYTI Award Grant, funded by BIRAC under the Department of Biotechnology and administered by SRISTI, supports outstanding student innovators. Each year up to 15 student projects receive funding support of up to Rs 15 lakh each to translate a biotechnology or life-science innovation. Master's and PhD students apply online through SRISTI during the annual call.

Samriddhi is an AICTE scheme that helps Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students turn ideas into start-ups. Each selected institute gets a grant of up to Rs 20 lakh to run a centre supporting nine SC/ST-led start-ups, with about Rs 2 lakh in seed capital per start-up over a two-year programme. Students apply through their AICTE-approved institution.

The Sanitary Marts Scheme is an NSKFDC loan that helps Safai Karamcharis and liberated manual scavengers set up a sanitary mart. It funds 90% of the project cost up to Rs 15 lakh, with a 10% promoter contribution, at interest not above 7% per annum, repayable over 10 years. Apply offline through a State Channelising Agency or partner bank.

SFURTI is a Ministry of MSME scheme that organises traditional artisans into clusters. Government assistance is up to Rs 2.50 crore for a regular cluster of up to 500 artisans and Rs 5 crore for a major cluster above 500, funding 90% of common facilities. Proposals come from Implementing Agencies through a Nodal Agency such as KVIC.

The Self Reliant India (SRI) Fund is a Ministry of MSME fund of funds that channels Rs 50,000 crore of growth equity into MSMEs, using Rs 10,000 crore from the Government of India to leverage Rs 40,000 crore of private capital. MSMEs cannot apply to the government; they raise money from SEBI-registered daughter funds empanelled with NVCFL.

Special Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (SCLCSS), a National SC-ST Hub component of the Ministry of MSME, gives SC/ST-owned micro and small enterprises a 25% capital subsidy on new plant and machinery or equipment bought through a bank term loan, up to a ceiling of Rs 25 lakh. Apply through your lending bank.

Startup India Investor Connect is a free matchmaking platform launched by DPIIT and SIDBI on 11 March 2023 at the 6th National Startup Advisory Council meeting. It lets DPIIT-recognised startups list a funding requirement and be discovered by registered investors. Register at investorconnect.startupindia.gov.in using your Startup India login.

Testing Fee Reimbursement Scheme, a National SC-ST Hub component of the Ministry of MSME, reimburses 80% of the testing fee or Rs 1,00,000 (excluding GST), whichever is lower, in a financial year to SC/ST-owned micro and small enterprises that get products tested at NABL/BIS-accredited labs. Apply online at scsthub.in.