Cold Chain & Value Infrastructure Scheme — 50-75% Subsidy up to ₹10Cr
A PMKSY-linked capital subsidy, offered through the Department of Industries, Government of Himachal Pradesh, covering 50-75% of eligible project cost up to ₹10 crore for cold chain and value addition infrastructure.
- Funding amount
- ₹10Cr (subsidy)
- Funding type
- Subsidy
- Provider
- Department of Industries, Government of Himachal Pradesh (Startup Himachal) (Government)
- Application deadline
- Rolling
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
The Cold Chain & Value Infrastructure Scheme is a capital subsidy for businesses that build or upgrade the assets keeping perishable produce moving — cold storage, freezing lines, reefer transport and processing capacity. It sits inside the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY), with the Department of Industries, Government of Himachal Pradesh (Startup Himachal) listed as the provider.
The scheme exists to close two persistent gaps: harvest losses and an incomplete cold chain network. Underwriting part of the project cost makes it easier for a processor or logistics operator to commit capital to modern preservation technology, and that in turn supports better realisations for growers and longer shelf life for finished food products.
Support ranges from 50% to 75% of eligible project cost, capped at ₹10 crore per project. Intake is continuous rather than window-based, so there is no closing date to chase — proposals are taken and evaluated as they arrive.
Highlights
- Incentive of 50% to 75% of eligible project cost
- Maximum incentive of ₹10 crore per project
- Open on a rolling basis — no fixed deadline
- Covers cold storage, CA storage, IQF, reefer transport, ripening chambers and processing facilities
- Delivered by the Department of Industries, Government of Himachal Pradesh under PMKSY
- Incentive is disbursed in installments tied to project progress
Who can apply
Applicants must be establishing new cold chain and value addition infrastructure, or expanding infrastructure they already operate. The published eligibility turns on the project rather than on founder-level conditions.
- Private companies, partnerships, producer organisations and cooperatives engaged in food processing and agricultural logistics are the entity types the scheme is designed for.
- The project should centre on a cold chain or value addition asset — cold storage, controlled atmosphere (CA) storage, IQF lines, refrigerated transport, ripening chambers or common processing facilities.
- Because the incentive is calculated against eligible project cost, applicants are expected to submit a costed proposal covering technical specifications, financial viability and expected impact.
Cold Chain & Value Infrastructure Scheme — 50-75% Subsidy up to ₹10Cr is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Deadline & timing
Cold Chain & Value Infrastructure Scheme — 50-75% Subsidy up to ₹10Cr accepts applications on a rolling basis — there is no fixed cut-off date, so eligible startups can apply at any time. Because rolling programmes can pause without notice, confirm the window is still open on the official site before you start.
What the funding covers
Recipients get a capital subsidy worth 50% to 75% of eligible project cost, capped at ₹10 crore per project. The support offsets capital expenditure on new or expanded cold chain and value addition assets rather than day-to-day running costs.
Assets that typically sit inside the eligible project cost include:
- Cold storage facilities and controlled atmosphere (CA) storage
- Individual quick freezing (IQF) units
- Refrigerated transportation, including reefer vans
- Ripening chambers and common processing facilities
- Associated processing and packaging infrastructure
Disbursal is normally made in installments pegged to the physical and financial progress of the approved project, and is usually structured as reimbursement of eligible capital expenditure already incurred.
The practical effect is to de-risk a capital-heavy investment: lower upfront exposure for the developer, faster adoption of modern preservation and handling technology, and downstream gains in food quality, shelf life and market access for agricultural producers.
About the provider
Cold Chain & Value Infrastructure Scheme — 50-75% Subsidy up to ₹10Cr is offered by Department of Industries, Government of Himachal Pradesh (Startup Himachal), a government body. As a government-backed subsidy, it is publicly funded and open to eligible startups across India.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
- Study the guidelines first. Applicants are directed to the official Incentives Guide and the PMKSY guidelines for the detailed application requirements.
- Prepare a detailed project report (DPR). The DPR sets out the proposed infrastructure, its technical specifications, financial viability and expected impact.
- File the application online. Submissions generally go through the designated portal of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI); the Himachal Pradesh online services portal is the state route listed for applications.
- Attach supporting documents. Company registration details, land ownership or lease papers, financial statements and technical specifications of the proposed equipment are typically required.
- Committee evaluation. Once submitted, an application goes through a detailed appraisal by a selection committee.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Cold Chain & Value Infrastructure Scheme — 50-75% Subsidy up to ₹10Cr, 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.
Who this is best for
Cold Chain & Value Infrastructure Scheme — 50-75% Subsidy up to ₹10Cr is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹10Cr. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does the Cold Chain & Value Infrastructure Scheme offer?
Eligible projects receive an incentive of 50% to 75% of eligible project cost, subject to a ceiling of ₹10 crore per project. The percentage applied within that band depends on your project and is assessed during appraisal.
Who is eligible to apply?
Any entity that is setting up new cold chain and value addition infrastructure, or expanding infrastructure it already runs. In practice that covers private companies, partnerships, producer organisations and cooperatives involved in food processing and agricultural logistics.
What kind of infrastructure does the subsidy cover?
The scheme supports cold storage units, controlled atmosphere (CA) storage, individual quick freezing (IQF) units, refrigerated transportation such as reefer vans, ripening chambers, common processing facilities, and the processing and packaging infrastructure attached to them.
Is there a deadline to apply?
No fixed closing date is attached to this incentive. As a component of an ongoing government policy, it is generally open for applications on a continuous or rolling basis until further notice, though applicants should check the MoFPI website for any specific application windows or updates.
Does the scheme take equity in my business?
No. This is a subsidy, so it is non-dilutive — you are not giving up any stake or ownership in your company. The support works as an incentive against eligible capital expenditure on your project.
How is the incentive paid out?
Disbursement is typically made in installments, linked to the physical and financial progress of the approved project. In most cases it works as a reimbursement against eligible capital expenditure you have already incurred.
What documents are usually needed with the application?
A detailed project report is the core document, outlining the proposed infrastructure, its technical specifications, financial viability and impact. Alongside it, applicants generally submit company registration details, land ownership or lease documents, financial statements, and technical specifications of the proposed equipment.
How and where do I apply?
Applications are generally submitted online through the designated portal of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI). The Himachal Pradesh online services portal is the state route listed for filing. Before applying, refer to the official Incentives Guide and the PMKSY guidelines for the detailed instructions.
Can I apply if I am expanding an existing facility rather than building a new one?
Yes. The scheme is open both to entities establishing new cold chain and value addition infrastructure and to those expanding or modernising infrastructure they already operate.
Who runs this scheme?
It is a component of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY), with the Department of Industries, Government of Himachal Pradesh (Startup Himachal) listed as the provider. Applications are routed through the MoFPI portal, and a selection committee appraises each proposal.
Is DPIIT recognition required for Cold Chain & Value Infrastructure Scheme — 50-75% Subsidy up to ₹10Cr?
No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for Cold Chain & Value Infrastructure Scheme — 50-75% Subsidy up to ₹10Cr, though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.
How do I apply for Cold Chain & Value Infrastructure Scheme — 50-75% Subsidy up to ₹10Cr?
Apply directly through the official application link on this page. Review the eligibility criteria and prepare your startup documents before you begin.
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