Maharashtra Quality Certification Incentive Scheme — 75% Subsidy up to ₹1L
A Maharashtra government subsidy that pays back 75% of GMP or Hallmark certification costs for the state's MSMEs, capped at ₹1 lakh.
- Funding amount
- ₹1L (subsidy)
- Funding type
- Subsidy
- Provider
- Directorate of Industries, Government of Maharashtra (Government)
- Application deadline
- Rolling
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
This is a reimbursement-style incentive run by the Directorate of Industries, Government of Maharashtra, for micro, small and medium enterprises that spend money on recognised quality certifications. It sits under the Maharashtra Industries Investment and Services Policy 2025 and is meant to push local manufacturers and service providers towards higher quality benchmarks.
Getting certified is rarely cheap, and for a small unit the upfront bill for GMP or Hallmark compliance can be a real deterrent. The scheme responds to that by covering 75% of the certification expense, subject to a ceiling of ₹1 lakh. The money is non-repayable — it comes back to the enterprise as a subsidy, not as a loan.
The logic behind the support is straightforward: certifications carry weight with buyers, regulators and export markets, and they signal reliability to consumers. By absorbing most of the cost, the state makes those credentials reachable for a wider set of MSMEs operating in Maharashtra. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis rather than against a fixed closing date, so an enterprise can claim after the certification has been obtained.
Highlights
- Subsidy of up to ₹1 lakh per eligible MSME
- Covers 75% of the certification cost
- Applies to GMP and Hallmark certifications
- Restricted to MSMEs registered and operating in Maharashtra
- Non-repayable reimbursement — no repayment, no equity
- Rolling applications under the Maharashtra Industries Investment and Services Policy 2025
Who can apply
The scheme is limited to micro, small and medium enterprises that are registered and operating within Maharashtra. Larger units outside the MSME classification cannot use it.
Beyond the size and location test, the applicant must have obtained — or be in the process of obtaining — one of the two recognised certifications the scheme supports:
- Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification.
- Hallmark certification.
Applicants are expected to be able to demonstrate MSME registration, and the documentation list points to Udyam Aadhaar as the proof of that status. The certification itself must come from a recognised authority, and the expense claimed must be a genuine, verifiable cost incurred by the enterprise.
Maharashtra Quality Certification Incentive Scheme — 75% Subsidy up to ₹1L 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
Maharashtra Quality Certification Incentive Scheme — 75% Subsidy up to ₹1L 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
The core benefit is a direct cash subsidy on certification expenditure.
- 75% of the cost of the eligible GMP or Hallmark certification is reimbursed.
- The payout is capped at ₹1 lakh per eligible claim.
- The amount is non-repayable — it is a subsidy, not credit, and no repayment is involved.
Alongside the money, the scheme delivers a regulatory and market advantage. Holding GMP or Hallmark certification helps an MSME meet compliance expectations, strengthens its credibility with buyers, and opens doors to markets, both within India and abroad, where such credentials are a precondition.
About the provider
Maharashtra Quality Certification Incentive Scheme — 75% Subsidy up to ₹1L is offered by Directorate of Industries, Government of Maharashtra, 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
Applications are handled within the Department of Industries, Government of Maharashtra, where a committee or designated officers take the call on each claim.
- Scrutiny of documents: the applicant's papers are examined in detail to confirm MSME status and the authenticity of what has been claimed.
- Verification of the certification: the quality credential being claimed — GMP or Hallmark — is checked for validity.
- Cost verification: the officers confirm the actual expenditure incurred on the certification.
- Policy compliance check: the claim must satisfy the terms and conditions set out under the Maharashtra Industries Investment and Services Policy 2025.
- Disbursement: once the criteria are met and verified, the approved subsidy is processed and paid out.
The exact timeline from submission to payout is not specified in the scheme details.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Maharashtra Quality Certification Incentive Scheme — 75% Subsidy up to ₹1L, 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
Maharashtra Quality Certification Incentive Scheme — 75% Subsidy up to ₹1L is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹1L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How much money can an MSME actually get from this scheme?
The subsidy is capped at ₹1 lakh. Within that ceiling, the scheme reimburses 75% of what you spent on an eligible certification. So if your certification cost came to ₹1 lakh, the payout would be ₹75,000; if it ran higher, the reimbursement stops at the ₹1 lakh maximum.
What share of the certification bill does the government cover?
It covers 75% of the certification cost. The remaining portion is borne by the enterprise itself.
Which certifications qualify for the incentive?
Two certification types are supported: Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Hallmark. A certification outside these two will not be considered under this scheme.
Can an enterprise based outside Maharashtra apply?
No. The scheme is open only to micro, small and medium enterprises that are registered and operating in Maharashtra. Location of registration and operation is part of the eligibility test.
Do I need MSME registration or DPIIT recognition to claim?
You need to be an MSME, and the documentation includes proof of MSME registration — Udyam Aadhaar is the evidence the scheme points to. There is no DPIIT recognition requirement mentioned for this incentive. Note that any enterprise must also satisfy the applicable definition of micro, small or medium to qualify.
Is there a last date to submit an application?
No fixed deadline is set. Claims are accepted on a rolling basis for as long as the policy — the Maharashtra Industries Investment and Services Policy 2025 — remains in force. That said, it is sensible to file soon after the certification expense is incurred rather than sitting on it.
Does the scheme take equity or need to be repaid?
Neither. This is a subsidy, described as a non-repayable incentive, paid out as a reimbursement of eligible certification costs. There is no equity dilution and no repayment obligation.
What documents do I need to put together?
The application pack typically includes proof of MSME registration such as Udyam Aadhaar, the invoices for the certification, payment receipts showing you actually paid, and the final certification documents issued by the recognised authority.
How and where do I apply?
Applications go through the designated channel set out under the Maharashtra Industries Investment and Services Policy 2025 — the Maharashtra government's industrial department website, or the MAITRI portal at https://maitri.maharashtra.gov.in/login, where the forms and detailed guidelines are made available.
When and how is the money paid out?
The subsidy reaches your enterprise's bank account as a reimbursement, after your application and supporting papers have been reviewed and approved by the concerned authority. It is not paid in advance of the certification.
Who is eligible to apply for Maharashtra Quality Certification Incentive Scheme — 75% Subsidy up to ₹1L?
Maharashtra Quality Certification Incentive Scheme — 75% Subsidy up to ₹1L is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.
Who offers Maharashtra Quality Certification Incentive Scheme — 75% Subsidy up to ₹1L?
Maharashtra Quality Certification Incentive Scheme — 75% Subsidy up to ₹1L is offered by Directorate of Industries, Government of Maharashtra, a government body. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.
How do I apply for Maharashtra Quality Certification Incentive Scheme — 75% Subsidy up to ₹1L?
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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