National SC-ST Hub: Powering Inclusive Entrepreneurship

PIB Backgrounder National SC-ST Hub: Powering Inclusive Entrepreneurship Advancing Inclusion through Skills, Markets and Business Growth

Posted On: 08 OCT 2026 10:43AM by PIB Delhi The National SC-ST Hub (NSSH) is advancing inclusive entrepreneurship by enabling SC/ST enterprises to build capabilities and access wider market opportunities. Through interventions spanning finance, technology, training, mentoring and market linkages, the scheme addresses key barriers across the enterprise journey. Its focus on public procurement further connects SC/ST-owned MSEs with institutional buyers. With growing beneficiary reach, training support and procurement participation, NSSH is helping create a more competitive MSME ecosystem.

Building an Inclusive Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) provide an important pathway to entrepreneurship, employment and economic opportunity across India’s urban and rural areas. Making these opportunities more inclusive requires enabling entrepreneurs from historically underrepresented communities to participate, compete and grow. In this context, promoting enterprise ownership among Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities is an important priority. Greater access to finance, skills, technology and markets can help broaden their participation in India’s MSME ecosystem.

National SC-ST Hub: Enabling Enterprise Growth Launched on 18 October 2016, the National SC-ST Hub (NSSH) Scheme provides focused support to enterprises across different stages of their growth journey. Implemented through the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), the scheme helps address barriers faced by SC/ST-owned enterprises and supports their participation in public procurement.

Enterprise development initiatives under NSSH include training, mentoring, business development, networking and knowledge support. Together, these interventions help entrepreneurs improve business capabilities, access new opportunities and build more competitive enterprises.Expanding Reach, Deepening Inclusion NSSH’s impact is reflected not only in the number of entrepreneurs supported, but also in their growing participation in markets. By linking entrepreneurial support with procurement opportunities, the scheme is helping SC/ST-owned businesses improve their capabilities, expand market presence and pursue sustainable growth.

Since its inception, NSSH has assisted 1,90,414 beneficiaries, and trained 54,499 candidates, as of 31st July 2026. It has also contributed to a significant expansion in procurement from SC/ST Owned MSEs, which increased nearly 39-fold from ₹99.37 crore in 2015-16 to ₹4,013.42 crore in 2025-26. Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Assam emerged as the five leading States under NSSH.

During the period 2025-26: ₹4013.42 crore procurement recorded from 12,524 MSEs 10,717 candidates trained through 47 institutions across 27 States, including 24 Aspirational Districts 55% of candidates trained were womenTraining programmes were aligned with public procurement and GeM opportunities to improve their market relevance. Key areas included cafeteria management and food production, welding and Computer-Aided Design (CAD)/Computer-Aided Manufacturing

(CAM), laundry services, fashion designing and tailoring and bamboo-based work.

Supporting Enterprises Across the Growth Journey NSSH brings together a range of interventions to address different requirements of enterprise growth.

Special Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (SCLCSS) SCLCSS supports new and existing SC/ST-owned MSEs in strengthening capacity through investment in plant, machinery and equipment. It provides a 25% capital subsidy, capped at ₹25 lakh, for purchases financed through institutional credit. The scheme covers both manufacturing and service enterprises without product/sector-specific restrictions.

Progress since inception (2016) till March 2026:

3,160 MSEs received support, amounting to ₹356.10 crore Coverage extended to 233 districts across 27 States and UTs Single Point Registration Scheme (SPRS) SPRS helps MSEs access Government procurement opportunities through registration with NSIC. Registered MSEs receive free tender sets and exemption from payment of Earnest Money Deposit (EMD), alongside other procurement benefits.

Under the Public Procurement Policy, Central Ministries, Departments and CPSEs are required to procure 25% of their annual purchases from MSEs, with 4% of total procurement earmarked for SC/ST-owned MSEs.

Special Marketing Assistance Scheme (SMAS) SMAS helps SC/ST enterprises improve product visibility and competitiveness through exhibitions, trade fairs, vendor programmes, workshops and awareness campaigns.

Registered enterprises can participate in up to four domestic and two international events each financial year.International exhibition support extends up to ₹3 lakh for micro, ₹2.5 lakh for small and ₹1.5 lakh for medium enterprises. Enterprises must be registered on the Udyam Registration Portal and MSME Data Bank.

Progress during 2025-26:

141 SC/ST MSEs were facilitated to participate in 4 domestic exhibitions 247 Special Vendor Development Programmes were organised with CPSEs 197 e-tendering workshops were conducted 230 awareness workshops were organised with Central Public Sector Enterprises

(CPSEs) and Government departments Bank Loan Processing Reimbursement Scheme Designed to lower borrowing costs for SC/ST MSEs, the support reimburses 80% of loan processing fees or ₹1 lakh, whichever is lower, excluding applicable taxes. Benefits can be claimed after loan disbursement and multiple times in a financial year. Loans from Scheduled Commercial Banks, NBFCs and State Finance Corporations are covered.

Bank Guarantee Charges Reimbursement Scheme To ease the cost of participating in Central or State Government and Public Sector Enterprise tenders, SC/ST MSEs can claim reimbursement of Performance Bank Guarantee charges. The support covers 80% of eligible charges or ₹1 lakh, whichever is lower, excluding applicable taxes.

Testing Fee Reimbursement Scheme This scheme helps SC/ST MSEs reduce costs associated with product testing, licensing and certification given by Bureau Of Indian Standards. It reimburses 80% of eligible testing fees or ₹1 lakh, whichever is lower, excluding applicable taxes in a financial year.

Testing must be undertaken through NABL/BIS-accredited, Government or PSU laboratories.

Export Promotion Council Membership Reimbursement Scheme To facilitate access to export networks, SC/ST MSEs receive support towards membership of Export Promotion Councils (EPCs). The reimbursement covers 80% of eligible membership charges or ₹20,000, whichever is lower, excluding applicable taxes per financial year. It includes annual membership fees, one-time subscription charges and entry fees. Applicants must hold a valid Import Export Code (IEC) and Registration-cum- Membership Certificate (RCMC).

Capacity Building Management Fee Reimbursement Scheme Managerial and business skills are supported through short-term training at the top 50 management institutes identified under NIRF. SC/ST entrepreneurs and their wards can attend programmes lasting 1-30 days, with up to two courses supported annually.

Participants can receive 90% of course fees or ₹1 lakh, whichever is lower, per financial year.

Membership Fee of Government-Promoted E-Commerce PortalsThis component helps SC/ST MSEs expand digital market access through Government- promoted e-commerce portals. These include GeM, e-Khadi, TRIFED, Tribes India and MSME Mart. It reimburses 80% of membership fees or ₹25,000, whichever is lower, excluding applicable taxes per financial year.

This integrated approach helps enterprises move from being potential suppliers to competitive participants in institutional and Government markets.

From Support to Market Success Beyond financial and market-related assistance, NSSH helps enterprises translate business support into stronger commercial outcomes. The Business Accelerator Programme (BAP) provides structured mentorship and industry insights across business strategy, pricing, operational efficiency and market positioning.

The programme helps entrepreneurs adopt structured, data-driven approaches and align their businesses with market requirements. This strengthens their competitiveness and opens larger opportunities, particularly in Government procurement.

Success Stories (BAP) Creating Relevance in Compliance-Driven Markets- M/s Safety & Security Engineering, West Bengal Mr. Debasish Mondal strengthened pricing, cost management and market positioning.

The support improved his enterprise’s competitiveness in Government procurement. It subsequently secured tenders worth ₹8.48 lakh from Power Grid Corporation of India Limited.

Scaling Clean Energy- M/s Renergy Solution Pvt. Ltd., Assam Mr. Bhargav Deori strengthened business processes, strategic direction and market positioning for his renewable energy enterprise. The programme improved his enterprise’s engagement with procurement platforms and readiness for Government tenders. This enabled the enterprise to better leverage public procurement opportunities and expand its presence in the renewable energy sector.Powering Motion with Precision-Sawalaram Enterprises, Maharashtra Shri Sunil Popatrao Jagtap strengthened his business strategy and understanding of Government procurement. Applying these insights, Sawalaram Enterprises secured a ₹5.10 lakh SAIL tender for hydraulic cylinders. The opportunity strengthened business performance and expanded the enterprise’s market presence.

Strengthening Entrepreneurship, Advancing Inclusion The National SC-ST Hub is widening opportunities for SC/ST entrepreneurs to participate more meaningfully in India’s economic growth. Its interventions help businesses build skills and connect with larger markets. This progress is also enabling greater participation in public procurement and creating pathways for employment and enterprise growth. As its reach expands, NSSH is contributing to a more inclusive, diverse and competitive MSME ecosystem.

References Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises

https://www.scsthub.in/sites/default/files/NSSH-Annual-Report-2025-26-1.pdf

https://www.scsthub.in/membership-nsic-b2b-portal

https://www.scsthub.in/content/nssh-dashboard

https://msme1connect.up.gov.in/GovernmentScheme/GovernmentScheme6387

40909894501747.pdf

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2280604&reg=48&lang=1

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2290460&reg=48&lang=2 National Small Industries Corporation

https://www.nsic.co.in/Schemes/NSSH Click here to see pdf PIB Research (Release ID: 2320514)Visitor Counter : 750

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