Special Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (SCLCSS) for Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe
25% capital subsidy up to ₹25 lakh · plant & machinery · SC/ST MSEs nationwide
SC/ST-owned MSMEs can get a 25% capital subsidy — up to ₹25 lakh — on bank loans taken to purchase plant, machinery, or equipment, through this Ministry of MSME scheme under the National SC/ST Hub (NSSH). There are no sector-specific restrictions, making it broadly applicable to any manufacturing or service business. Apply through your lending bank (PLI), which submits the claim via SIDBI or NABARD to the government MIS portal.
About This Scheme
SC/ST-owned MSMEs can get a 25% capital subsidy — up to ₹25 lakh — on bank loans taken to purchase plant, machinery, or equipment, through this Ministry of MSME scheme under the National SC/ST Hub (NSSH). There are no sector-specific restrictions, making it broadly applicable to any manufacturing or service business. Apply through your lending bank (PLI), which submits the claim via SIDBI or NABARD to the government MIS portal.
Full official description
Launched by the Ministry Of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Special Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (SCLCSS) for Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe is a sub scheme under National Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Hub (NSSH) scheme. This scheme aims to facilitate capacity augmentation of existing SC/ST MSEs and for creation on new enterprises among SC/ST communities, 25 percent capital subsidy is provided for purchase of plant & machinery / equipment through institutional finance (bank loan).
Benefits
- 25% capital subsidy on the institutional loan for plant & machinery or equipment
- Subsidy capped at ₹25,00,000 (₹25 lakh)
- No restriction on industry type or sector
- Cannot be combined with any other central or state subsidy for the same machinery
💡 Why Startups Should Care
With no sector-specific restrictions, this scheme is broadly applicable — any SC/ST MSE buying plant and machinery through a bank loan can claim 25% back, up to ₹25 lakh, directly reducing the effective cost of your equipment investment.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Business must be owned by SC/ST entrepreneurs (sole proprietorship, partnership, cooperative, private or public limited company)
- Must operate in manufacturing or service sectors
- Must have valid Udyam Registration
- SC/ST units that graduated from small to medium scale within the past 3 years are eligible
- New businesses graduating to medium scale due to this loan are also eligible
Exclusions
- Units availing subsidy under SCLCSS cannot avail any other subsidy for the same plant/machinery
How to Apply
- Submit your application along with required documents to your Prime Lending Institution (PLI/bank).
- Include self-certified UAM/GST and PAN card copies.
- The PLI processes the loan for plant/machinery/equipment purchase.
- The capital subsidy claim is forwarded to the concerned nodal agency.
- Subsidy is credited after verification of equipment purchase and installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Special Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (SCLCSS)?
Special Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (SCLCSS) is to facilitate capacity augmentation of existing SC/ST MSEs and for creation on new enterprises among SC/ST communities, 25 percent capital subsidy is provided for purchase of plant & machinery / equipment through institutional finance (bank loan).
Which department has launched this scheme?
This scheme has been launched by the Ministry Of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises.
What are the provisions available under SCLCSS?
Under SCLCSS, 25% subsidy to SC/ST MSEs on institutional finance for procurement of Plant & Machinery / equipment without any sector specific restrictions is provided.
Which products/ sub-sectors have been approved under the SCLCSS component?
There is no such restriction. The scheme covers SC/ST MSEs of both manufacturing and service sectors. However, the industries covered under the RED category as per the Classification of industries for consent management (Schedule- VIII, rules 3(2) and 12 of Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India) shall not be eligible for subsidy under the above scheme.
Whether the Scheme is applicable for new MSEs?
Yes.
Is SCLCSS applicable for medium and large-scale Enterprises?
No, only Micro and Small-Scale Enterprises (existing & new) are eligible under SCLCSS.
Whether the subsidy can be availed for replacement of machinery and equipment?
The subsidy shall be admissible for investment in acquisition/replacement of plant & machinery/equipments & technology up-gradation of any kind through institutional finance. But fabricated /second-hand machinery /equipment will not be eligible for subsidy under the component of the scheme.
Whether this subsidy can be claimed in combination with any other scheme?
The units availing subsidy under the SCLCSS shall be eligible for all other types of subsidies except any other Central Government /State Government Subsidy for technology upgradation.
What is the tenure of term loan eligible for this subsidy?
To avail the subsidy benefit under the scheme, the sanctioned term loan should not be for less than three years including moratorium period for MSEs.
What is the mechanism for disbursement of subsidy to the unit?
Banks will follow the principle of First -In -First -Out (FIFO) while submitting the claims online under SCLCSS Scheme. The principle of First -In -First -Out (FIFO) will also be followed by the NSSH Cell for disbursement of subsidy to the eligible beneficiary unit.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Self-certified copy of UAM and GST
- Self-certified copy of PAN card
- Self-certified copy of caste certificate
- Equipment purchase invoices