SEED Scheme Meghalaya — ₹50,000 Subsidy for Small Businesses — Frequently Asked Questions

The SEED Scheme — Prime Small Enterprise Empowerment and Development — is a subsidy programme of the Government of Meghalaya, delivered by the state's Planning Department under the Chief Minister's ELEVATE Program. It channels financial support to founders and unregistered entities who want to launch or grow a small business in the state, with particular attention to informal and underserved business activity. The wider objectives are youth entrepreneurship, inclusive growth across all regions, and grassroots job creation.

The headline support is an upfront government subsidy covering half of your project cost, capped at ₹50,000. You contribute 5% of the project cost yourself, and the scheme helps arrange a bank loan for the remaining 45%. The overall support package is listed at up to ₹95,000.

The facilitated bank loan must be repaid over a tenure of 2 years, or 24 months. It also includes a 3-month moratorium period, which means you get a grace window before EMI payments start — useful while a new venture is still stabilising.

Individuals aged 18 to 58 who are permanent residents of Meghalaya and can demonstrate experience relevant to the project they are proposing. Unregistered entities based in the state — village organisations and self-help groups, for example — may also apply if they meet the experience requirement. In all cases, the applicant or entity must not have defaulted on credit with any bank or financial institution.

No. Financial support under the scheme is earmarked strictly for asset creation, such as purchasing machinery and equipment. Operational expenses and working capital requirements are not covered.

There is no fixed cut-off date. The scheme operates on a rolling, always-open basis, and applications can be submitted through the MeghalayaOne portal on an ongoing basis.

Everything is done online through the MeghalayaOne portal. A new user first completes Citizen Registration to get a Member ID, choosing an authentication ID such as PDS (ration card) or EPIC. The card number is entered and the name verified from the list shown, after which the detailed application form is filled in and supporting documents uploaded. After a final review, the form is submitted and a unique application number is issued. Existing users can simply sign in with their mobile number, PDS, EPIC or Member ID and click "Apply for Services/Scheme".

The scheme asks for proof of residency, proof of age, evidence of experience relevant to your proposed project, and details of the project itself. You will also need the identity document used during registration — either your PDS (ration card) or your EPIC (Election Photo ID Card) number — for authentication on the portal.

The subsidy portion is non-repayable and does not involve any equity stake in your business. Only the bank loan component, which covers 45% of the project cost, is repayable — over 24 months, starting after the 3-month moratorium.

Both are covered. The scheme provides financial support for establishing new small business ventures as well as for expanding existing ones, so long as the proposal fits the asset-creation purpose of the programme and the applicant meets the eligibility conditions.

No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for SEED Scheme Meghalaya — ₹50,000 Subsidy for Small Businesses, though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.