ZED Handholding & Consultancy Support
Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India · Central government
A scheme funding up to Rs 2 lakh per MSME for consultancy and handholding towards Zero Defect Zero Effect.
Open, rolling. Applications are accepted continuously — there is no deadline.
Key facts
- Subsidy amount
- Up to ₹2,00,000
- Instrument
- Subsidy
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Disbursement
- Reimbursed after spend
About this scheme
Under the MSME Sustainable (ZED) Certification Scheme, enterprises can access financial assistance of up to Rs 5 lakh per MSME for handholding and consultancy services aimed at adopting Zero Defect Zero Effect practices. Within this allocation, a maximum of Rs 2 lakh is designated for handholding support provided through empanelled consulting organisations.
The Ministry bears 80% of this support cost for Micro enterprises, 60% for Small enterprises, and 50% for Medium enterprises. An extra 10% subsidy is extended to MSMEs owned by Women/SC/ST entrepreneurs or those situated in the North Eastern Region, Himalayan, LWE, island territories, or aspirational districts. A further 5% subsidy applies to MSMEs enrolled under SFURTI or the MSE-CDP programme. To qualify, an MSME must hold at least a Bronze ZED certification.
Who can apply
- Eligible business forms
- Not specified
- Udyam registration
- Not specified
- MSME registration
- Required
- DPIIT startup recognition
- Not required
- GST registration
- Not specified
- Where the business may be based
- Not restricted
- Registered MSME with at least Bronze ZED certification. - Support delivered through empanelled consulting organisations. - Subsidy rate: 80% for Micro, 60% for Small, 50% for Medium. - Additional 10% for Women/SC/ST-owned MSMEs or those in NER/Himalayan/LWE/island/aspirational districts. - Additional 5% for SFURTI or MSE-CDP participants.
How to apply
- Secure at least Bronze ZED certification via zed.msme.gov.in. - Apply for handholding assistance through the ZED portal. - A designated empanelled consulting organisation is allocated and proposes the intervention. - MSME-DI validates the proposal, PMAC grants approval, and the subsidised portion is disbursed against the consultant's fee.
Frequently asked questions
How much handholding support can I get?
The ZED scheme allows an MSME to draw up to Rs 2 lakh from its overall provision of up to Rs 5 lakh.
Do I have to pay part of the cost?
The Ministry provides a subsidy of 80% for Micro, 60% for Small, and 50% for Medium enterprises, with the remaining share paid by the MSME itself.
Are there extra subsidies?
An extra 10% is available for MSMEs owned by women, SC/ST entrepreneurs, or those in the North Eastern Region, Himalayan, LWE, island territories, or aspirational districts, with a further 5% for SFURTI or MSE-CDP participants.
Do I need to be ZED certified first?
Yes, a minimum Bronze certification is required to access the handholding support.
Who delivers the handholding?
The consultant's recommendation and verification by the respective MSME-DI determine the utilisation of empanelled consulting organisations.
Sectors
- Zed
- Msme
- Consultancy
- Handholding
- Zero Defect Zero Effect
- Ministry Of Msme
Details last verified on 9 September 2026. Source: the issuer's published information.