**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to a parliamentary question regarding the steps taken by the Government of India, specifically the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), to promote technology upgradation, digitalization, and increased export competitiveness of small enterprises across the country. The response details various schemes, initiatives, and establishment of centers to support MSMEs, to be answered on 04.12.2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Technology Upgradation and Digitalisation Initiatives:**
* The Ministry of MSME is implementing schemes and initiatives to promote technology upgradation and digitalisation of small enterprises across the country.
* These include the MSE-Cluster Development Programme (Common Facility Centres), Tool Rooms / Technology Centres, the Micro and Small Enterprises (MSE) – Green Investment Financing for Transformation (GIFT) Scheme, and the MSME Champions Scheme.
* The initiatives support modernization, skill and quality enhancement, advanced technology access, green technology adoption, and improved competitiveness of MSMEs.
* The Government is driving digitalisation through initiatives like the Udyam Portal, MSME Champions Portal, Government e-Marketplace (GeM), Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS), MSME Mart, MSME SAMBANDH, and Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) portal.
* These initiatives enable digital registrations, online procurement, e-market access, receivable financing, and grievance redressal.
* **Establishment of New Technology Centers/Extension Centers:**
* The Ministry of MSME is implementing a scheme to establish 20 new Technology Centres (TCs) and 100 Extension Centres (ECs) across the country.
* The aim is to increase the geographical reach of the TCs network.
* These centers provide solutions for local needs of MSMEs related to technology, skilled human resources, and advisory services.
* This will increase competitiveness and profitability of MSMEs at the grass root level.
* 20 locations for establishment of New Technology Centres has been approved including two locations at aspirational districts viz Gaya (Bihar) and Bokaro (Jharkhand) under the scheme.
* **Export Facilitation Centers:**
* The Ministry of MSME has established 65 Export Facilitation Centres (EFCs) in its field organizations, including MSME-Development and Facilitation Offices, MSME Technology Centres, and MSME Testing Centres.
* These centers aim to provide mentoring and handholding to MSMEs to increase their export competitiveness.
**Impact Analysis**
* **MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises)**
* **Impact:** Increased access to technology, skilled human resources, advisory services, digital platforms, financing, and grievance redressal mechanisms. Improved modernization, competitiveness, profitability, and export competitiveness.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the available schemes, initiatives, and centers to upgrade technology, digitalise operations, enhance skills, and improve export capabilities.
* **Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises**
* **Impact:** Responsible for implementing and managing various schemes and initiatives. Overseeing the establishment and operation of Technology Centres, Extension Centres, and Export Facilitation Centers.
* **Action Required:** Continue to implement and monitor the effectiveness of the schemes and initiatives, ensuring they reach the intended beneficiaries and contribute to the growth and development of MSMEs.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME): The central ministry responsible for the initiatives and schemes discussed.
MSE-Cluster Development Programme: A scheme focused on the development of micro and small enterprise clusters.
MSME Champions Scheme: A scheme aimed at supporting modernization, skill enhancement, and technology adoption for MSMEs.
Udyam Portal: A key platform for MSME registration and accessing various government services.
Gaya (Bihar) and Bokaro (Jharkhand): Aspirational districts where new Technology Centres are being established.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 834
TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2025
TECHNOLOGY UPGRADATION AND DIGITALISATION OF SMALL ENTERPRISES
834. SMT. MALVIKA DEVI:
Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:
(a) the steps taken by the Government to promote technology upgradation and digitalisation of
small enterprises across the country;
(b) whether there is any scheme linked to this, if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether there are any steps being taken to set up Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
(MSME) Technology Centres in aspirational districts or underserved backward regions, if so, details
thereof; and
(d) whether there are any steps being taken by the Government to increase export competitiveness
of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), if so, details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
(SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)
(a) & (b): In order to promote technology upgradation and digitalisation of small enterprises
across the country, the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) is implementing
various schemes and initiatives, which inter-alia includes the MSE-Cluster Development Programme
(Common Facility Centres), Tool Rooms / Technology Centres, the Micro and Small Enterprises
(MSE) – Green Investment Financing for Transformation (GIFT) Scheme, and the MSME Champions
Scheme, these initiatives support modernization, skill and quality enhancement, advanced technology
access, green technology adoption, and improved competitiveness of MSMEs. The Government is
driving digitalisation through initiatives such as the Udyam Portal, MSME Champions Portal,
Government e-Marketplace (GeM), Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS), MSME Mart,
MSME SAMBANDH, and Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) portal, enabling digital registrations,
online procurement, e-market access, receivable financing, and grievance redressal, thereby supporting
MSMEs across the country.
(c): Ministry of Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSME) is implementing a scheme,
‘Establishment of new Technology Centres/Extension Centres’, to establish 20 new Technology
Centres (TCs) and 100 Extension Centres (ECs) across the Country to increase geographical reach of
TCs network to provide solution as per local needs of MSMEs for technology, skilled human
resources, and advisory services. This will increase competitiveness and profitability of MSMEs at
grass root level. The 20 locations for establishment of New Technology Centres has been approved
including two locations at aspirational districts viz Gaya (Bihar) and Bokaro (Jharkhand) under the
scheme.
(d) The Ministry of MSME has established 65 Export Facilitation Centres (EFCs) in its field
organizations namely MSME-Development and Facilitation Offices, MSME Technology Centres and
MSME Testing Centres with an aim to provide requisite mentoring and handholding to MSMEs to
increase their export competitiveness.
*******