National SC-ST Hub Drives ₹4,013 Crore Procurement Surge
- Procurement: ₹4,013 crore in 2025-26
- Scope: 12,524 SC/ST enterprises covered
- Subsidy: 25% capital support to ₹25L
- Training: 55% female participation rate
Public procurement from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe-owned enterprises jumped to ₹4,013.42 crore in fiscal 2025-26, climbing nearly 39-fold from ₹99.37 crore a decade earlier. The expansion reflects wider institutional adoption under the National SC-ST Hub scheme, which has now assisted 1,90,414 entrepreneurs across the country since its launch.
Operated by the National Small Industries Corporation, the program equips marginalized founders to secure business under the mandatory four percent public procurement quota reserved for SC/ST micro and small enterprises. Over the past year alone, 12,524 enterprises supplied central ministries and state-run corporations, with Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Assam anchoring the highest vendor participation.
Beyond contract access, the initiative eases working capital and upgrade hurdles through direct cost reimbursements. Beneficiaries receive an 80 percent rebate on bank loan processing fees and tender guarantee charges, alongside a 25 percent capital subsidy up to ₹25 lakh for machinery investments through institutional lenders.
Women accounted for 55 percent of the 10,717 candidates trained last year across technical trades and GeM bidding protocols. For corporate supply chain leaders and public sector procurement managers, the expanding registry of certified SC/ST suppliers simplifies statutory quota compliance while deepening vendor diversification in manufacturing and services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the National SC-ST Hub scheme?
Implemented by NSIC, the scheme provides market access, financial fee reimbursements, capacity training, and credit subsidies to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe micro and small enterprises.
What share of public procurement is reserved for SC/ST enterprises?
Central ministries, departments, and public sector undertakings are mandated to source at least 4% of their total annual procurement from SC/ST-owned micro and small enterprises.
What capital assistance does the SCLCSS component provide?
The Special Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme offers an institutional credit-linked capital subsidy of 25%, capped at ₹25 lakh, for purchasing plant, machinery, and equipment.
Source
PIB Backgrounder ID: 2320514, Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (Release ID: 2320514) · 2026-10-08
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