Government Expands MSME Schemes and Funding Support

13 Aug 2025 CW Team

The Udyam Registration Portal, launched on 1 July 2020 with revised MSME classification criteria, has reported total employment of 287.3 million from 1 July 2020 to 31 July 2025, including figures from the Udyam Assist Platform. Key measures taken by the Ministry of MSME include:

Ease of Doing Business: Launch of Udyam Registration and Udyam Assist Platform to formalise informal micro enterprises for Priority Sector Lending benefits.
Sector Inclusion: Retail and wholesale traders recognised as MSMEs from 2 July 2021.
Credit Support: Revamped Credit Guarantee Scheme with Rs. 9 billion fund infusion to enable additional credit of Rs. 2 trillion for MSEs and expand employment opportunities.
Skill and Artisan Support: Launch of PM Vishwakarma Scheme on 17 September 2023 to provide comprehensive benefits to traditional artisans and craftspeople in 18 trades.
Equity Infusion: Creation of the Self Reliant India (SRI) Fund with Rs. 500 billion for equity investment in MSMEs with high growth potential.
Collateral-Free Loans: Loans up to Rs. 100 million for MSEs with guarantee coverage up to 90 per cent via the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE).
Receivables Financing: Operation of the Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) to facilitate electronic financing of MSME receivables and reduce payment delays.
PMEGP Expansion: Enhancement of maximum project cost under PMEGP from Rs. 2.5 million to Rs. 5 million for manufacturing, and from Rs. 1 million to Rs. 2 million for services.

These measures, as highlighted by Minister of State for MSMEs Sushri Shobha Karandlaje in the Rajya Sabha, are aimed at driving growth, improving access to finance, enhancing skills, and strengthening the formalisation of the sector.

The government continues to support the establishment, promotion, and development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across India through a range of schemes, programmes, and policy initiatives. These include the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Credit Guarantee Scheme for Micro and Small Enterprises, Micro and Small Enterprises-Cluster Development Programme (MSE-CDP), Entrepreneurship Skill Development Programme (ESDP), Procurement and Marketing Support Scheme (PMSS), Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP), International Cooperation scheme, Tool Rooms, Technology Centre System Programme (TCSP), National SC/ST Hub (NSSH), MSME Champions, and PM Vishwakarma, among others.The Udyam Registration Portal, launched on 1 July 2020 with revised MSME classification criteria, has reported total employment of 287.3 million from 1 July 2020 to 31 July 2025, including figures from the Udyam Assist Platform. Key measures taken by the Ministry of MSME include:Ease of Doing Business: Launch of Udyam Registration and Udyam Assist Platform to formalise informal micro enterprises for Priority Sector Lending benefits.Sector Inclusion: Retail and wholesale traders recognised as MSMEs from 2 July 2021.Credit Support: Revamped Credit Guarantee Scheme with Rs. 9 billion fund infusion to enable additional credit of Rs. 2 trillion for MSEs and expand employment opportunities.Skill and Artisan Support: Launch of PM Vishwakarma Scheme on 17 September 2023 to provide comprehensive benefits to traditional artisans and craftspeople in 18 trades.Equity Infusion: Creation of the Self Reliant India (SRI) Fund with Rs. 500 billion for equity investment in MSMEs with high growth potential.Collateral-Free Loans: Loans up to Rs. 100 million for MSEs with guarantee coverage up to 90 per cent via the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE).Receivables Financing: Operation of the Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) to facilitate electronic financing of MSME receivables and reduce payment delays.PMEGP Expansion: Enhancement of maximum project cost under PMEGP from Rs. 2.5 million to Rs. 5 million for manufacturing, and from Rs. 1 million to Rs. 2 million for services.These measures, as highlighted by Minister of State for MSMEs Sushri Shobha Karandlaje in the Rajya Sabha, are aimed at driving growth, improving access to finance, enhancing skills, and strengthening the formalisation of the sector.

Infrastructure Urban

05 May 2026

Meghalaya And Assam Hold Talks To End Transport Stoppages In Garo Hills

Meghalaya and Assam have opened talks aimed at ending recent stoppages of commodity transport in the Garo Hills, officials said. The deputy chief minister, in charge of home affairs, reported that both state governments are coordinating to resolve disruptions and to restore normal movement of goods. He acknowledged that misunderstandings may have contributed to the incidents and that clarification between administrative units is under way. The discussions are intended to produce practical arrangements that will allow consignments to move without hindrance while respecting local procedures. The..

Infrastructure Transport

05 May 2026

Kochi Metro Records 1.375 mn Rise In Passengers In FY26

Kochi Metro recorded a marginal rise in ridership in the financial year 2025-26, carrying 1.375 mn more passengers than in the previous year. The service carried 36.8 million (mn) passengers in 2025-26 compared with 35.5 mn in 2024-25, representing a year-on-year increase of 3.9 per cent. The growth was described as distributed rather than concentrated in isolated spikes. A month-wise analysis shows steady gains across quarters. In the first quarter, ridership increased from 8.57 mn to 8.84 mn, while the second quarter rose from 9.13 mn to 9.51 mn. These trends indicated broad-based improvemen..

Infrastructure Transport

05 May 2026

Ghaziabad Plans 16km Metro Link To Delhi Via Hindon Airport

Ghaziabad authorities are pursuing a 16 km metro link to Delhi that will run via Hindon Airport, and a detailed project report is under way. The plan is intended to improve connectivity between Ghaziabad and the national capital and to provide an interchange with the airport. Officials said the project is being studied to assess alignments, station locations and cost estimates ahead of formal approvals and tendering. The announcement follows the inauguration of the Delhi?Faridabad metro extension, which will offer hassle free travel for around 0.2 mn daily commuters between the national capita..