National SC-ST Hub: Procurement from SC/ST MSEs Rises Nearly 39-Fold
Why in the news
A PIB backgrounder released on 8 October 2026 reviewed the National SC-ST Hub (NSSH), showing that public procurement from SC/ST-owned micro and small enterprises (MSEs) has grown nearly 39 times in a decade.
Key facts
- Procurement growth: from ₹99.37 crore in 2015-16 to ₹4,013.42 crore in 2025-26, sourced from 12,524 MSEs.
- Reach: 1,90,414 beneficiaries assisted and 54,499 candidates trained since inception, as of 31 July 2026.
- Training in 2025-26: 10,717 candidates through 47 institutions in 27 states, including 24 Aspirational Districts; 55% were women.
- Top states: Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Assam.
- SCLCSS: the Special Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme offers a 25% subsidy, up to ₹25 lakh, on plant and machinery bought with institutional credit; 3,160 MSEs got ₹356.10 crore up to March 2026.
Procurement trend
| Year | Procurement from SC/ST MSEs |
|---|---|
| 2015-16 | ₹99.37 crore |
| 2025-26 | ₹4,013.42 crore |
About the National SC-ST Hub
NSSH was launched on 18 October 2016 by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and is implemented by the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC). It supports the Public Procurement Policy, under which central ministries, departments and CPSEs must buy 25% of annual purchases from MSEs, with 4% reserved for SC/ST-owned MSEs. Other components include the Single Point Registration Scheme (free tender sets, EMD exemption), the Special Marketing Assistance Scheme, reimbursement of loan processing, bank guarantee, testing and GeM membership fees, and a Business Accelerator Programme.
Exam angle
- Launch date: 18 October 2016; implementing agency: NSIC.
- Procurement mandate: 25% from MSEs, of which 4% from SC/ST-owned MSEs.
- SCLCSS subsidy: 25%, capped at ₹25 lakh.