ZED Pledge Joining Reward
Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India · Central government
A one-time Rs 10,000 reward for MSMEs taking the ZED Pledge, offsetting ZED certification costs.
Open, rolling. Applications are accepted continuously — there is no deadline.
Key facts
- Subsidy amount
- Up to ₹10,000
- Instrument
- Subsidy
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Disbursement
- Reimbursed after spend
About this scheme
The MSME Sustainable (ZED) Certification Scheme provides a one-time joining reward of Rs 10,000 to every MSME that takes the ZED Pledge. This limited-purpose credit is applied when the enterprise submits its application for ZED Certification at Bronze, Silver, or Gold level.
The reward is deducted from the certification fee before any applicable subsidy—determined by the enterprise’s Micro, Small, or Medium classification—is calculated on the remaining amount. As a result, Bronze certification typically carries no effective charge, while the net expense for Silver or Gold is lowered. The reward expires if it is not used within twelve months of taking the Pledge.
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 MSMEs (Micro, Small or Medium) - Must take the ZED Pledge on the ZED portal - Reward usable only once, for a single ZED Certification application - Must be used within 1 year of taking the Pledge
How to apply
- Create an account for your MSME on the ZED portal, accessible at zed.msme.gov.in. - Complete the ZED Pledge; a joining incentive of Rs 10,000 is deposited into your account. - Submit an application for a ZED Certification tier (Bronze, Silver, or Gold) within a 12-month period. - At the point of payment, the incentive is deducted from the certification fee, prior to the application of any subsidy.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the ZED joining reward?
Each MSME that takes the ZED Pledge receives a one-time grant of Rs 10,000.
What can I spend it on?
ZED Certification — Bronze, Silver or Gold — is obtained only by applying for it; it is not a cash payout.
Can I use it more than once?
No, the scheme may be utilised by an applicant MSME only once.
How does it interact with the ZED certification subsidy?
The reward is first deducted from the certification cost, and the applicable Micro, Small, or Medium subsidy is then applied to the remaining balance.
Does it expire?
The joining reward is valid for one year from the date you take the ZED Pledge.
Sectors
- Zed
- Msme
- Certification
- Quality
- Ministry Of Msme
Details last verified on 9 September 2026. Source: the issuer's published information.