Consortia & Tender Marketing Scheme
Check your eligibility
Sign up and we'll tell you whether your startup qualifies for this grant.
Quick Answer
Micro and Small Enterprises registered under NSIC's Single Point Registration Scheme (SPRS) can bid for government and PSU tenders, alone or in a consortium, with NSIC arranging EMD and security deposits.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Subsidy
- Provider
- Ministry of MSME
- Application deadline
- Rolling
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
- Registrations needed
- Udyam registration
About this subsidy
The Consortia and Tender Marketing Scheme from the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) helps Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) bid for government and Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) tenders. You can bid alone or as part of a consortium of manufacturers of similar products. The tenders can be open, limited or nomination-based.
NSIC arranges Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) and security deposits on a back-to-back basis. It helps you access credit and raw materials, and shares consortium orders among members in proportion to production capacity.
The tender participation limit is usually the higher of 300% of the SPRS monetary limit or your last year's turnover, reviewed annually.
You must be registered under NSIC's Single Point Registration Scheme (SPRS) or apply for it at the same time. Your unit must be inspected before you file a tender. Units that purely trade without value addition are excluded. The scheme aligns with the Public Procurement Policy for MSEs, including subcontracting.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Subsidy providers
The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (Ministry of MSME) is the Government of India ministry for the MSME sector. It does not run one programme. It runs a set of central schemes, each with its own portal and its own route in: a credit-linked subsidy for new…
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
What You Get
- Enhanced Market Access: Directly enables Micro and Small Enterprises to bid for lucrative government and Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) tenders, opening significant market opportunities.
- Consortium Formation: Facilitates the creation of consortia among MSEs producing similar products, allowing them to collectively bid for and secure large bulk orders that might be individually unachievable. NSIC also ensures fair distribution of these orders based on production capacity.
- Financial Support for Tender Participation: Provides crucial assistance by arranging Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) and security deposits on a back-to-back basis, reducing the financial strain and risk for participating MSEs.
- Credit and Raw Material Facilitation: Helps MSEs access necessary credit and raw materials required for efficient execution of secured orders, bolstering their operational capabilities.
- Policy Alignment & Advantage: Ensures inclusion and provides procurement advantages under the Public Procurement Policy for MSEs, fostering their integration into government supply chains.
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Applications
Rolling basis
Selection Process
Applicants, who are Micro & Small Enterprises (MSEs) already registered under NSIC's Single Point Registration Scheme (SPRS) or in the process of registration, are vetted based on their application and the required factory/unit inspection. Once deemed eligible, NSIC facilitates their participation in tenders and the formation of consortia. The process primarily involves verification of eligibility and operational readiness rather than a competitive selection process like a pitch or jury round, as it's a facilitation scheme for registered units.
Application Process
- 1
Download Form
Download the application form (Annexures A and A-1) from NSIC resources.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
See the questions before you start
Download every question this programme's application form asks, so you can prepare your answers offline before opening the portal.
- 2
Line up your documents
Keep every document from the checklist ready in one folder. Missing docs are the #1 reason applications get bounced.
- 3
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 4
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Program templates & documents
Files the program publishes for applicants — download these and apply in the prescribed format.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary objective of the Consortia & Tender Marketing Scheme?
The scheme aims to enhance market access for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) by enabling their participation in government and Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) tenders, either individually or through consortia.
Who is eligible to apply for this scheme?
Only Micro & Small Enterprises (MSEs) registered with NSIC under its Single Point Registration Scheme (SPRS) are eligible. MSEs can also apply for SPRS registration concurrently. Units engaged purely in trading without value addition are excluded.
What kind of financial support does the scheme offer?
The scheme provides assistance in arranging Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) and security deposits on a back-to-back basis, and also helps in accessing credit and raw materials for order execution.
How does NSIC help MSEs secure bulk orders?
NSIC forms consortia of similar product manufacturers, allowing them to combine capacities and bid for larger orders. It also ensures fair distribution of orders among consortium members based on their production capacity.
Are there any fees associated with the scheme?
Yes, there are annual enlistment and renewal fees based on the monetary limit under SPRS, ranging from ₹1000 to ₹5000 plus service tax. Additionally, service charges (2% to 2.5% on bill value, with reductions for micro units and extra charges for EMD/SD arrangement) are levied on secured tenders. SC/ST owned units are exempted from the enlistment fee.
What is the tender participation limit?
The participation limit is determined by the higher of 300% of the SPRS monetary limit or the last year's turnover of the MSE, and is reviewed annually.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
