Over 3,900 entrepreneurs benefited under the Special Marketing Assistance Scheme in five years, ensuring 4% Public Procurement Compliance
NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) is implementing the National Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Hub (NSSH) Scheme with the objective of promoting entrepreneurship among Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) while ensuring compliance with the mandatory 4 per cent procurement norm from SC/ST-owned micro and small enterprises (MSEs). The scheme is aligned with the Public Procurement Policy for Micro and Small Enterprises, under which all central ministries, departments and public sector undertakings are required to procure a fixed share of goods and services from enterprises owned by entrepreneurs belonging to SC and ST communities.
The NSSH Scheme is designed not only to meet procurement targets but also to address long-standing structural challenges faced by marginalised entrepreneurs, including limited access to markets, information gaps and lack of institutional support. By focusing on capacity building and market integration, the scheme seeks to create sustainable SC/ST-owned enterprises capable of participating competitively in government procurement systems.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | National SC/ST Hub (NSSH) |
| Implementing Ministry | MSME |
| Procurement Mandate | 4% from SC/ST MSEs |
| Policy Framework | Public Procurement Policy for MSEs |
| Core Objective | Promote SC/ST entrepreneurship |
Capacity Building and Entrepreneurial Support
The NSSH Scheme adopts a multi-dimensional approach to strengthen SC/ST enterprises by providing targeted capacity-building interventions. These include structured training programmes, skill development initiatives, entrepreneurship development workshops and knowledge-sharing platforms aimed at enhancing managerial, technical and financial capabilities. The Ministry of MSME has also prioritised market linkage programmes to help SC/ST entrepreneurs connect with government buyers, public sector undertakings and large private enterprises.
Special Vendor Development Programmes (SVDPs) are organised to familiarise entrepreneurs with procurement procedures, tendering processes and quality standards required for government contracts. Awareness workshops are conducted across regions to disseminate information on available schemes, subsidies and compliance requirements. The emphasis is on enabling first-generation entrepreneurs from SC and ST communities to overcome entry barriers and build enterprises that can scale over time. These interventions collectively contribute to creating an enabling ecosystem that supports entrepreneurship, employment generation and inclusive economic growth.
| Support Area | Interventions |
|---|---|
| Capacity Building | Training & workshops |
| Market Access | Vendor development programmes |
| Awareness | Regional outreach programmes |
| Skill Development | Managerial & technical skills |
| Target Group | SC/ST entrepreneurs |
Financial Assistance and Asset Creation
Financial support forms a critical pillar of the NSSH Scheme, particularly for SC/ST entrepreneurs who often face constraints in accessing formal credit and capital resources. Under the scheme, subsidies are provided for the purchase of plant, machinery and equipment to support enterprise creation and expansion. Such assistance helps improve productivity, enhance product quality and enable compliance with procurement specifications laid down by government buyers.
Additionally, financial assistance is provided to micro and small enterprises for registration under the Single Point Registration Scheme (SPRS), which enables registered units to participate in government tenders with procedural relaxations. Support is also provided for enrolment on government-promoted e-commerce portals, enabling SC/ST enterprises to access wider markets digitally. By addressing both capital and procedural barriers, the scheme seeks to reduce the cost of formalisation and encourage SC/ST enterprises to integrate into mainstream economic activity.
| Financial Support | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Machinery Subsidy | Asset creation |
| SPRS Assistance | Tender participation |
| E-commerce Support | Market expansion |
| Target Enterprises | Micro & Small |
| Key Focus | Formalisation |
Role of Single Point Registration Scheme (SPRS)
The Single Point Registration Scheme plays a significant role in improving access of SC/ST-owned micro and small enterprises to government procurement opportunities. Through SPRS, eligible enterprises receive financial assistance for registration, which enables them to participate in public tenders without facing the usual administrative and financial hurdles. Registered units are eligible for benefits such as exemption from earnest money deposit, reduced tender fees and easier access to government buyers.
For SC/ST entrepreneurs, these relaxations are particularly important, as high compliance costs often discourage participation in public procurement. By linking SPRS with the NSSH framework, the Ministry of MSME ensures that marginalised entrepreneurs are not excluded due to procedural complexities. The scheme thus acts as a bridge between SC/ST enterprises and government procurement agencies, supporting both policy compliance and enterprise growth.
| Scheme | Benefit |
|---|---|
| SPRS | Tender access |
| Financial Aid | Registration cost |
| Exemptions | EMD & tender fees |
| Beneficiaries | SC/ST MSEs |
| Outcome | Improved participation |
Special Marketing Assistance Scheme (SMAS)
Under the Special Marketing Assistance Scheme (SMAS), a key component of the NSSH Scheme, SC/ST entrepreneurs are facilitated to participate in domestic and international exhibitions. The objective is to enhance their visibility, improve branding and provide exposure to potential buyers, suppliers and investors. Participation in exhibitions helps entrepreneurs understand market trends, benchmark product quality and explore new business opportunities.
Over the last five years, 3,929 SC/ST entrepreneurs were supported to participate in domestic exhibitions across the country. An expenditure of ₹36.41 crore was incurred for this purpose, reflecting the government’s commitment to strengthening market access for marginalised entrepreneurs. The initiative also helps SC/ST enterprises build confidence and gain practical experience in competitive marketplaces, thereby improving their readiness to participate in public procurement processes.
| SMAS Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Beneficiaries | 3,929 entrepreneurs |
| Period | Last 5 years |
| Expenditure | ₹36.41 crore |
| Activity | Domestic exhibitions |
| Objective | Market exposure |
Awareness, Outreach and Communication Strategy
To ensure that intended beneficiaries are fully aware of the opportunities available under the NSSH Scheme, the Ministry of MSME has undertaken extensive outreach activities across the country. These include conclaves, Special Vendor Development Programmes and awareness workshops organised at multiple locations. The focus is on educating entrepreneurs about procurement policies, eligibility criteria, documentation requirements and available financial and marketing support.
In addition to physical outreach, the ministry actively uses social media platforms to disseminate information, announcements and success stories related to the scheme. This digital approach enables wider reach, especially among younger entrepreneurs and those located in remote areas. By combining on-ground engagement with digital communication, the ministry aims to ensure inclusive access to information and maximise participation of SC/ST entrepreneurs in government-supported programmes.
| Outreach Mode | Description |
|---|---|
| Conclaves | Policy awareness |
| SVDPs | Buyer–seller connect |
| Workshops | Training & guidance |
| Social Media | Wider dissemination |
| Target Audience | SC/ST entrepreneurs |
Parliamentary Disclosure and Government Commitment
The government’s commitment to promoting SC/ST entrepreneurship through the NSSH Scheme was reaffirmed in Parliament on Thursday. Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, provided these details in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha. The disclosure highlighted the scale of interventions undertaken and the progress made in facilitating market access, capacity building and procurement participation for SC/ST-owned enterprises.
The government emphasised that such initiatives are essential for achieving inclusive economic development and ensuring equitable participation of marginalised communities in national growth. By strengthening institutional support mechanisms and enforcing procurement mandates, the NSSH Scheme is positioned as a key instrument for translating social justice objectives into tangible economic outcomes.
| Parliamentary Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| House | Lok Sabha |
| Minister | Shobha Karandlaje |
| Mode | Written reply |
| Focus | SC/ST entrepreneurship |
| Policy Goal | Inclusive growth |
