Testing Fee Reimbursement Scheme

What is the Testing Fee Reimbursement Scheme?

Testing Fee Reimbursement Scheme is a support component of the National SC-ST Hub (NSSH), a scheme of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises implemented by the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC). According to the National SC-ST Hub portal, the scheme reimburses 80% of the testing fee or Rs 1,00,000 (excluding GST and other applicable taxes), whichever is lower, in a financial year to a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe owned micro or small enterprise (MSE).

The reimbursement covers testing services availed from a NABL/BIS-accredited laboratory, or a laboratory of any Central or State Government department or Public Sector Undertaking, and the licence or certification given by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The purpose is to lower the cost of quality certification for SC/ST enterprises so their products can meet the standards buyers and public-procurement agencies expect.

Testing Fee Reimbursement Scheme is one of several reimbursement components of the National SC-ST Hub, which also includes bank loan processing reimbursement, bank guarantee charges reimbursement and export promotion council membership reimbursement. All are aimed at increasing the participation of SC/ST enterprises in public procurement under the government's 4% procurement mandate.

Who is eligible for the Testing Fee Reimbursement Scheme?

You can apply if:

• Your enterprise is a micro or small enterprise with a valid Udyam Registration.
• The enterprise is owned by SC or ST entrepreneurs. For a proprietorship, the proprietor must belong to SC/ST. For a partnership, LLP or private limited company, more than 51% of the shareholding must be held by SC/ST entrepreneurs.
• You have actually paid a testing fee to a NABL/BIS-accredited laboratory, a Central/State/PSU laboratory, or BIS for a licence or certification, and hold the receipt, GST invoice and test report.

You cannot apply if:

• Your enterprise is not owned by SC/ST entrepreneurs, or SC/ST shareholding is 51% or less.
• The enterprise is not registered on Udyam as a micro or small enterprise.
• Testing was done at a laboratory that is not accredited by NABL/BIS and is not a Central/State/PSU laboratory.

Reimbursement is capped per financial year. If you have already drawn assistance under the scheme in the same financial year, you must declare it, and the earlier amount is taken into account against the cap.

What documents are required?

How to apply for the Testing Fee Reimbursement Scheme

1. Go to the National SC-ST Hub portal at scsthub.in and register or log in to the Application Centre.
2. Select the Testing Fee Reimbursement Scheme and choose Show Interest / Apply Online.
3. Fill in the application form with your enterprise details, Udyam Registration number and bank details.
4. Upload the required documents: caste certificate(s), PAN, the testing laboratory's payment receipt and GST invoice, the test report and a cancelled cheque.
5. Submit the application. NSSH offices verify the claim and the reimbursement is transferred to the enterprise's bank account through PFMS.

How much benefit does the scheme provide?

The scheme reimburses 80% of the testing fee, subject to a maximum of Rs 1,00,000 (excluding GST and other applicable taxes), in a financial year. Whichever of these two is lower is what is paid. For example, on a testing fee of Rs 50,000 the reimbursement is 80% — Rs 40,000 to while on a testing fee of Rs 2,00,000 the reimbursement is capped at Rs 1,00,000 rather than 80%.

The benefit is paid as a reimbursement, so the enterprise must first pay the testing laboratory in full and then claim. GST and other applicable taxes are excluded from the reimbursable amount.

Help and contact

• National SC-ST Hub / NSIC toll-free: 1800-11-1954
• Phone: 011-26926275
• Email: scsthub@nsic.co.in
• Portal: scsthub.in

Because this is a niche reimbursement for SC/ST enterprises that undertake product testing, applicants should keep every original invoice and test report, since the claim is verified document by document before payment.