Jute Design Resource Centre Scheme: Free Designs for Jute MSMEs & Exporters — Frequently Asked Questions

It is a design support scheme run by the National Jute Board, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. The centre it funds develops modern, market-worthy and trend-forecasting jute bag designs for the Jute Diversified Products sector, and then makes those designs and the related technical know-how available to eligible jute businesses.

There is no fixed cash grant — the value arrives as designs, development work, technical specification sheets and training, so the amount effectively varies with what your unit requests. Every unit can take two designs free each quarter, with the National Jute Board covering raw materials and accessories, and can then ask for as many further designs as it needs under the cost-sharing arrangement.

Jute artisans, MSME units, exporters, women Self Help Groups, and beneficiaries who have been trained by a Jute Raw Material Centre & Production Centre. On top of fitting one of those categories, you must file a formal request in the prescribed format asking for jute bag designs held by the Jute Design Resource Centre.

No. The scheme is rolling and always open, so a request can be filed whenever your unit needs designs. Each request is reviewed for eligibility and completeness before the centre begins work on it.

Neither. This is a grant-type scheme and it is non-dilutive — it does not take a stake in your business and nothing has to be repaid. Developed cost-shared designs do come with a confidentiality obligation attached to the one-year marketing exclusivity you receive.

On the cost-sharing route there is no ceiling — the number of designs is unlimited and they are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis. The free route is capped at two designs per unit per quarter.

On the free track you bear nothing for raw materials or accessories; for up to two designs every quarter, the National Jute Board meets that cost. On the cost-sharing track the centre's design ideas and making charges come free, but raw materials and accessories are your expense. If you go on to register a trademark, the registration cost and any legal action against infringement are also on you.

For a developed cost-shared design, the exporter or manufacturer gets the exclusive right to market and sell that product in domestic and export markets for one year, with the design kept confidential. If a trademark is applied for within that year, full manufacturing and marketing rights continue for the duration of the trademark registration.

DPIIT recognition is not listed as a requirement for this scheme. MSME units are one of the eligible applicant categories, so an MSME registration would establish that status. The requisition form itself asks for your unit's registration status along with GST, Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) and Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) numbers, so have those ready.

The process is offline. Print the requisition form from the scheme guidelines on the National Jute Board's website, fill in your unit's registration details, GST, IEC and RCMC numbers, indicate whether the designs are for the domestic or export market, mark the request as free-basis or cost-sharing, and disclose any trademark intention. Date and sign it with your name, place and designation, then submit it with supporting documentation at the relevant regional or head office of the National Jute Board.

Jute Design Resource Centre Scheme: Free Designs for Jute MSMEs & Exporters is offered by Ministry of Textiles, a government body. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.

Apply directly through the official application link on this page. Review the eligibility criteria and prepare your startup documents before you begin.