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 (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) owned Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSEs) to address barriers across their growth journey. The scheme focuses on enabling participation in public procurement while building enterprise capabilities through finance, technology, training, mentoring, and market linkages.
As of 31st July 2026, NSSH has assisted 1,90,414 beneficiaries and trained 54,499 candidates. The scheme has driven a remarkable 39-fold increase in procurement from SC/ST-owned MSEs, growing 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, with 55% of trained candidates being women. Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Assam emerged as the five leading States under NSSH.
Comprehensive Support Framework
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. Since inception until March 2026, 3,160 MSEs received support amounting to ₹356.10 crore, covering 233 districts across 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 (EMD). Under the Public Procurement Policy, Central Ministries, Departments, and CPSEs must procure 25% of annual purchases from MSEs, with 4% earmarked specifically for SC/ST-owned MSEs.
Additional support mechanisms include: Special Marketing Assistance Scheme facilitating participation in exhibitions (141 SC/ST MSEs in 4 domestic exhibitions in 2025-26), 247 Special Vendor Development Programmes with CPSEs, 197 e-tendering workshops, and 230 awareness workshops. Various reimbursement schemes cover 80% of bank loan processing fees (up to ₹1 lakh), Performance Bank Guarantee charges (up to ₹1 lakh), product testing fees (up to ₹1 lakh), Export Promotion Council membership (up to ₹20,000), and membership fees for Government-promoted e-commerce portals including GeM, e-Khadi, TRIFED, Tribes India, and MSME Mart (up to ₹25,000).
The Capacity Building Management Fee Reimbursement Scheme supports short-term training at top 50 management institutes identified under NIRF, covering 90% of course fees or ₹1 lakh for programs lasting 1-30 days.
Success Stories and Business Impact
The Business Accelerator Programme (BAP) has demonstrated tangible results: M/s Safety & Security Engineering, 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., Assam enhanced its readiness for Government tenders in the renewable energy sector. Sawalaram Enterprises, Maharashtra secured a ₹5.10 lakh SAIL tender for hydraulic cylinders after strengthening business strategy and procurement understanding.
Training programs were specifically aligned with public procurement and GeM opportunities, covering areas such as cafeteria management and food production, welding and Computer-Aided Design (CAD)/Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM), laundry services, fashion designing and tailoring, and bamboo-based work.