ZED Pledge Joining Reward
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Quick Answer
Rs 10,000 one-time reward for MSMEs taking the ZED Pledge, usable against ZED certification cost.
- Funding amount
- Up to ₹10,000
- Funding type
- Subsidy
- Provider
- Ministry of MSME
- Application deadline
- Rolling
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
- Registrations needed
- Udyam registration
About this subsidy
Under the MSME Sustainable (ZED) Certification Scheme, every MSME that takes the ZED Pledge is credited a limited-purpose joining reward of Rs 10,000. The reward can be used once, when the MSME applies for a ZED Certification at Bronze, Silver or Gold level. The reward is deducted from the certification cost first, and any subsidy the MSME qualifies for (based on Micro / Small / Medium status) then applies to the balance. In practice this makes Bronze certification effectively free, and reduces the out-of-pocket cost of Silver or Gold. The reward lapses if unused within one year of taking the Pledge.
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
- Amount
- Up to ₹10,000
What You Get
A limited-purpose reward of Rs 10,000 is credited to every MSME that takes the ZED Pledge. It is applied once, against the fee for a Bronze, Silver or Gold ZED Certification. The reward is deducted from the certification cost before any percentage subsidy is calculated, so a Bronze application can become effectively free while Silver and Gold applications see the reward netted off and the subsidy applied to the remaining amount.
- Disbursement
- Reimbursement
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Applications
Rolling basis
Application Process
- 1
Register on ZED portal
Create an MSME account on the ZED portal with your Udyam details.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
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
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 3
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the ZED joining reward?
Rs 10,000, offered once to each MSME that takes the ZED Pledge.
What can I spend it on?
Only on applying for a ZED Certification — Bronze, Silver or Gold. It is not a cash payout.
Can I use it more than once?
No. It may be used by an applicant MSME only once.
How does it interact with the ZED certification subsidy?
The reward is deducted from the certification cost first; the applicable Micro/Small/Medium subsidy is then applied to the balance.
Does it expire?
Yes — the joining reward is valid only for 1 year after taking the ZED Pledge.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
