National SC-ST Hub: Powering Inclusive Entrepreneurship
The National SC-ST Hub (NSSH) Scheme, launched on 18 October 2016 and implemented through the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), provides comprehensive support to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe-owned Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSEs). The scheme addresses barriers across the enterprise journey through interventions spanning finance, technology, training, mentoring, and market linkages, with particular focus on connecting SC/ST-owned MSEs with institutional buyers through public procurement.
Key Achievements and Impact
As of 31st July 2026, NSSH has assisted 190,414 beneficiaries and trained 54,499 candidates. The most significant achievement is the dramatic 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. During 2025-26, procurement was recorded from 12,524 MSEs, and 10,717 candidates were trained through 47 institutions across 27 States, including 24 Aspirational Districts. Notably, 55% of trained candidates were women. Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Assam emerged as the five leading states under the scheme.
Comprehensive Support Mechanisms
The scheme offers multiple targeted interventions: The Special Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (SCLCSS) provides a 25% capital subsidy capped at ₹25 lakh for plant, machinery and equipment purchases, supporting 3,160 MSEs with ₹356.10 crore since inception until March 2026 across 233 districts in 27 States and UTs. The Single Point Registration Scheme (SPRS) helps MSEs access government procurement opportunities with free tender sets and exemption from Earnest Money Deposit payment.
Additional support includes the Special Marketing Assistance Scheme which facilitated 141 SC/ST MSEs to participate in 4 domestic exhibitions and organized 247 Special Vendor Development Programmes with CPSEs in 2025-26. Financial support mechanisms include reimbursement of 80% of loan processing fees (up to ₹1 lakh), 80% of Performance Bank Guarantee charges (up to ₹1 lakh), 80% of product testing fees (up to ₹1 lakh), and 80% of Export Promotion Council membership charges (up to ₹20,000).
Capacity Building and Digital Access
The scheme supports managerial skills development through short-term training at top 50 management institutes identified under NIRF, covering 90% of course fees up to ₹1 lakh for programs lasting 1-30 days. For digital market access, it reimburses 80% of membership fees (up to ₹25,000) for Government-promoted e-commerce portals including GeM, e-Khadi, TRIFED, Tribes India, and MSME Mart.
Success Stories
The Business Accelerator Programme has demonstrated tangible results: M/s Safety & Security Engineering from West Bengal secured tenders worth ₹8.48 lakh from Power Grid Corporation of India Limited after improving pricing and market positioning. M/s Renergy Solution Pvt. Ltd. from Assam strengthened its renewable energy business processes for better engagement with procurement platforms. Sawalaram Enterprises from Maharashtra secured a ₹5.10 lakh SAIL tender for hydraulic cylinders after enhancing business strategy understanding.