Banglashree SCCS: Quality Certification Subsidy up to ₹5 Lakh for MSMEs

The Subsidy for Standard Quality Compliance (SCCS) is one of the sub-schemes operating under Banglashree, West Bengal's umbrella programme for micro, small and medium enterprises. It is run by the Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Textiles, Government of West Bengal, and has been in force since April 1, 2020, with the scheme window running up to March 31, 2025.

The logic behind it is simple. Certification costs money, and small manufacturers often postpone it — which shuts them out of larger buyers and export markets. SCCS pays back a share of that certification spend so quality compliance stops being a financial hurdle.

Banglashree itself works towards a balanced and sustainable MSME ecosystem across the state: better resource utilisation, job creation and expanded operational capacity, with West Bengal aiming to lead the national MSME landscape. SCCS is the quality-focused arm of that effort. It backs micro and small manufacturing units in obtaining standards such as ISI/BIS, ISO 9000, ISO 14000, ISO 14001, ISO 18000, ISO 22000 and HACCP from approved institutions or research laboratories. If a unit needs a certification that is not on that list, the scheme allows it to be considered case by case, provided the necessity and essentiality are justified.

By absorbing half of the compliance cost, the scheme helps enterprises lift product and process quality, earn market trust, and compete more strongly at home and abroad.

• Reimbursement of 50% of certification spend, up to ₹5 lakh
• Covers ISI, BIS, ISO 9000, ISO 14000, ISO 14001, ISO 18000, ISO 22000 and HACCP
• Open to micro and small manufacturing enterprises in West Bengal, with micro, small and medium units listed in the eligibility criteria
• Unlisted certifications can be considered case by case if justified
• Scheme runs from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2025
• Applications filed online through the Shilpasathi portal

Eligibility depends on your enterprise size, sector, ownership structure and when production began.

• Size: the applicant must be a micro, small or medium enterprise.
• Sector: the unit must belong to the manufacturing sector.
• Start of production: production should have commenced on or after April 1, 2019.
• DOCCP window: the Date of Commencement of Commercial Production (DOCCP) should fall between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2025.
• Entity types accepted: private sector businesses, cooperative sector units, joint sector undertakings, companies or undertakings owned and managed by the State Government, and Industrial Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

Note that the eligibility list covers micro, small and medium enterprises, while the reimbursement itself is described as applying to eligible micro and small enterprises.

Banglashree SCCS: Quality Certification Subsidy up to ₹5 Lakh for MSMEs is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

The most recent application window for Banglashree SCCS: Quality Certification Subsidy up to ₹5 Lakh for MSMEs closed on 31 Mar 2025. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.

Reimbursement of 50% of certification expenditure, capped at ₹5,00,000. An eligible micro or small enterprise gets half of what it spent on obtaining quality certification back, subject to a ceiling of ₹5 lakh.

• Certifications covered: ISI, BIS, and the ISO standards — ISO 9000, ISO 14000, ISO 14001, ISO 18000 and ISO 22000 — along with HACCP. The certification must have been obtained from an approved institution or research laboratory.
• New or emerging certifications: standards that are not explicitly listed can be considered on a case-to-case basis, where the enterprise justifies why the certification is necessary and essential.
• What the support delivers: by lowering the cost of meeting national and international quality benchmarks, the subsidy supports better market access and a stronger competitive position.
• Nature of the support: this is a subsidy, so it is non-dilutive — no equity or stake in your enterprise is taken in return.

Banglashree SCCS: Quality Certification Subsidy up to ₹5 Lakh for MSMEs is offered by Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Textiles, Government of West Bengal, a government body. As a government-backed subsidy, it is publicly funded and open to eligible startups across India.

Applications are filed through the Shilpasathi portal and reviewed in stages by the Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Textiles, Government of West Bengal.

1. Screening for completeness and eligibility. The submitted forms and documents are first checked to confirm they are complete and that the applicant meets the basic eligibility criteria.
2. Detailed evaluation of the expenditure. Applications that clear the first stage are examined in detail. The spend claimed for quality certification is assessed, and the legitimacy of the certification along with the approved institution or research laboratory that issued it is verified.
3. Calculation and approval of reimbursement. The amount is worked out at 50% of the eligible expenditure, subject to the maximum cap of ₹5 lakh, and then processed for approval.

The multi-stage review exists to ensure that only genuinely compliant micro and small enterprises receive the subsidy.

Before you apply to Banglashree SCCS: Quality Certification Subsidy up to ₹5 Lakh for MSMEs, keep the following documents ready:

• A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
• Company registration documents and PAN
• Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
• Recent financial statements or projections
• Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available

Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.

Banglashree SCCS: Quality Certification Subsidy up to ₹5 Lakh for MSMEs is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹5L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.