**Executive Summary**
This document is an answer provided by the Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to the Lok Sabha question number 3202 regarding MSMEs and startup support in the North Eastern Hilly Region. The response provides data on registered MSMEs in specific districts of Assam, details Startup India initiatives, and outlines steps taken to boost entrepreneurship in the region. The information is current as of December 15, 2025, and the question was to be answered on December 18, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
*MSME Registration and Definition*
* A revised MSME definition based on investment and turnover was adopted in 2020.
* The Udyam Registration Portal (URP) for registering enterprises with PAN was launched on July 1, 2020.
* The Udyam Assist Platform (UAP) for formalizing Informal Micro Enterprises (IMEs) was launched on January 11, 2023.
* As of December 15, 2025, 18,827 MSMEs in Karbi Anglong and 7,483 MSMEs in Dima Hasao districts of Assam are registered.
*Startup India Initiatives*
* Startup India aims to build a strong startup ecosystem. The initiative was launched on January 16, 2016.
* The North Eastern Finance Development Corporation Ltd. (NEDFi) contributes to the North East Region (NER) startup ecosystem.
* NEDFi manages three SEBI-registered venture capital funds and has partnered with Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) for the NRL Ideation Angel Fund (NRL IAF).
* The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) created the North East Venture Fund (NEVF) through NEDFi.
* The Government implements the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), and Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) to support startups.
* FFS is operationalized by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), which provides capital to SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs).
* SISFS provides financial assistance to seed-stage startups through incubators.
*Entrepreneurship Promotion Initiatives*
* The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) undertakes initiatives under Startup India to promote entrepreneurship.
* ASCEND Startup Workshop Series and Women for Startups Workshops are organized for entrepreneurs and students.
* Knowledge Exchange and Capacity Building Workshops are organized for dissemination of good practices.
* Startup India Yatra Initiative was launched in 2017 to promote entrepreneurship in rural and non-metro regions.
* WING, a capacity development program for existing and aspiring women entrepreneurs.
* District Outreach Initiative aims to establish at least one DPIIT-recognized startup in every district.
* The Ministry of MSME supports entrepreneurship through schemes like PMEGP (credit-linked margin money subsidy of 15%-35%), SRI Fund (₹50,000 crore equity infusion), and CGTMSE (collateral-free loans up to ₹10 crore).
**Impact Analysis**
*Entrepreneurs in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao Districts of Assam*
*Impact:*
The details on registered MSMEs helps inform them of resources and programs available to them, and provides insights into economic activity in the region.
*Action Required:*
Entrepreneurs should leverage the Udyam Registration Portal (URP) and Udyam Assist Platform (UAP) for registration and formalization.
*Startups in the North Eastern States*
*Impact:*
The startup ecosystem is strengthened through the Startup India initiative, funding opportunities, and mentorship support.
*Action Required:*
Startups should explore funding options through FFS, SISFS, and CGSS, and connect with NEDFi and other relevant entities.
*Existing and Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs*
*Impact:*
Specific programs such as WING and Women for Startups Workshops focus on capacity development and support.
*Action Required:*
Women entrepreneurs should participate in these programs to enhance their skills and access resources.
*Entrepreneurs in Rural and Non-Metro Regions*
*Impact:*
Entrepreneurship is promoted through initiatives like Startup India Yatra.
*Action Required:*
Entrepreneurs in these regions should take advantage of the outreach and support offered by these initiatives.
Key Entities Referenced
Startup India: A Government of India initiative to build a strong ecosystem for nurturing innovation and startups.
Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS): A flagship scheme under Startup India established to catalyze venture capital investments, operationalized by SIDBI.
Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS): A flagship scheme under Startup India that provides financial assistance to seed stage startups through incubators.
Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS): A flagship scheme under Startup India to provide funding opportunities and support startups across sectors at various stages of their business cycle.
North Eastern Region (NER): Location central to the applicability of MSME boosting and startup-related initiatives.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3202
TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.12.2025
MSMEs IN NORTH EASTERN HILLY REGION
3202. SHRI AMARSING TISSO:
Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has data on registered MSMEs in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao
districts of Assam, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether any Startup India incubation or mentorship support is available to youth
entrepreneurs in these districts, if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken to boost entrepreneurship in the North Eastern hilly region?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
(SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)
(a): A revised definition based on the twin criteria of investment and turnover, was adopted to
define Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in 2020. Accordingly, for registration of
enterprise having PAN, Udyam Registration Portal (URP) was launched on 01.07.2020. To formalise
Informal Micro Enterprises (IMEs) i.e. Enterprises, which are exempt from filing GST, Udyam
Assist Platform (UAP), was launched on 11.01.2023. Since inception till 15.12.2025 in Karbi
Anglong and Dima Hasao districts of Assam State18,827 and 7483 respectively MSMEs have been
Registered.
(b): Startup India is an initiative by the Government of India. The Government, with an intent to
build a strong ecosystem for nurturing innovation, startups and encouraging investments in the
startup ecosystem of the country launched the Startup India initiative on 16.01.2016. In the North
Eastern States many entities have been recognized as startups by DPIIT. North Eastern Finance
Development Corporation Ltd. (NEDFi), is a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) under
administrative control of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region. NEDFi has been
contributing towards building startup ecosystem of North East Region (NER) of India. NEDFi has
launched and managed three SEBI registered venture capital funds. Also, NEDFi has tied up with
Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), a PSU to launch NRL Ideation Angel Fund (NRL IAF).
Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) through NEDFi had created the
North East Venture Fund (NEVF).
Under Startup India initiative, the Government is implementing three flagship Schemes, Fund
of Funds for Startups (FFS), Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), and Credit Guarantee Scheme
for Startups (CGSS) to provide funding opportunities and support startups across sectors at various
stages of their business cycle. FFS has been established to catalyze venture capital investments and is
operationalized by Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), which provides capital to
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)-registered Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs)
which in turn invest in startups. SISFS provides financial assistance to seed stage startups through
incubators.: 2 :
(c): The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has undertaken the
following initiatives under Startup India to promote entrepreneurship in the North Eastern States:
1. ASCEND Startup Workshop Series and Women for Startups Workshops: The
Government has organized a series of startup workshops – ASCEND (Accelerating Startup
Calibre & Entrepreneurial Drive), for entrepreneurs, aspiring entrepreneurs, and students from
the North-eastern region.
2. Knowledge Exchange and Capacity Building Workshops: DPIIT organized knowledge
exchange workshops for dissemination of good practices and mutual learning among States and
UTs.
3. Startup India Yatra Initiative: Startup India launched Startup India Yatra in 2017 to
promote entrepreneurship in rural and non-metro regions across States.
4. WING: As a part of DPIIT’s program WING - a capacity development program for existing
and aspiring women entrepreneurs
5. District Outreach Initiative: DPIIT is promoting entrepreneurship by striving to establish at
least one DPIIT-recognized startup in every district of India.
Besides above initiatives Ministry of MSME also supports Entrepreneurship through various
schemes some of the schemes are as under:
1. PMEGP: Credit-linked margin money subsidy of 15%–35% for new micro-enterprises in
non-farm sector.
2. SRI Fund: ₹50,000 crore equity infusion to provide growth capital to eligible MSMEs.
3. CGTMSE: Collateral-free loans up to ₹10 crore with guarantee coverage up to 85%;
guarantees.
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