The Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (Ministry of MSME) has upgraded the National Small Industries Corporation Ltd (NSIC), a Central public sector enterprise (CPSE), from Schedule B to Schedule A by means of Notification No. K-01/26/2024-SME dated 26.02.2026. The move recognises the corporation's mandate to promote and develop Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) across the country after more than seven decades of activity. The upgrade confers enhanced managerial, operational and financial authorities that are expected to strengthen institutional support to the MSME sector.

NSIC provides interventions across enterprise life cycles including skilling and capacity building, measures to enhance cost competitiveness, marketing support and credit facilitation, as well as growth capital through equity investments. The corporation acts as an implementation partner for several aspirational government programmes designed to expand market access and improve productivity for small enterprises. These services aim to reduce barriers to finance and skills development while facilitating scale up.

Recognition as a Schedule A CPSE follows an Excellent rating awarded by the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) for 2024-25, a reflection of sustained performance and governance. Officials indicated that the reclassification will enable the corporation to exercise greater autonomy in decision making and resource allocation, thereby accelerating support functions for entrepreneurs. The enhanced status is expected to bolster confidence among stakeholders and attract better collaboration with state and private partners.

The corporation's mandate over more than seven decades positions it to scale programmes that address skill gaps and offer credit support tailored to micro and small enterprises. The ministry and institutional partners will monitor implementation as the expanded powers take effect, with a view to sustaining competitive advantages for the sector. The decision is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen public sector interventions that underpin capacity building and inclusive industrial growth.