The Government of India defines an MSME based on its investment in plant and machinery or equipment. The government established this category to offer targeted support to these businesses, which are crucial for the country’s economic growth. Udyam Registration is the official and free online process for registering a business as an MSME. The Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) oversees and regulates this process.
Once you complete the Udyam registration, your business will be assigned a unique Udyam Registration Number (URN) along with a QR-enabled certificate. This certificate is valid for life and does not require renewal. The registration process, which launched in July 2020, involves Aadhaar authentication and uses PAN and GST details for verification, which makes the registration process smooth and accurate.
Bihar Government Schemes for MSMEs
Besides the central government schemes, the Bihar government has also launched its own programs to help entrepreneurs:
- Mukhyamantri Udyami Yojana: This flagship scheme aims to help young and marginalized people start their own businesses. It offers financial help of up to ₹10 lakh to start a new business, with a large part of the money being a non-repayable grant.
- Bihar Startup Policy: The state’s startup policy provides seed funding of up to ₹10 lakh as an interest-free loan for 10 years to qualified startups. It also offers other benefits, such as support from incubation centers and an exemption from certain state-level inspections for five years.
Important Departments & MSME Help-Desks in Bihar
For any questions or help regarding MSMEs, entrepreneurs in Bihar can contact the following departments:
- Department of Industries, Government of Bihar: This is the main state-level body responsible for industrial development and carrying out MSME policies in the state.
- District Industries Centers (DICs): Every district in Bihar has a DIC. They are your local point of contact for guidance, help with applications, and information on both state and central government schemes.
- MSME-Development Institute (DI), Patna: This is an office of the Ministry of MSME, Government of India. It provides technical, managerial, and marketing support to MSMEs in Bihar.