Meghalaya Sericulture & Weaving Scheme — Up to 75% Project Cost Support

The Meghalaya Sericulture & Weaving Scheme is a credit-linked funding route for anyone who wants to build a silk or handloom-based enterprise in the state. It is run by the Department of Textiles, which sits under Meghalaya's Planning, Investment Promotion & Sustainable Development Department.

Instead of handing out a flat grant, the scheme spreads the cost of a new unit across three contributors: the state government, the entrepreneur and a bank. That structure means a unit is not just set up, it is set up with institutional credit behind it, which matters for an activity like silk rearing and weaving where working capital needs are continuous.

Eri silk sits at the heart of the programme — it is a traditional fabric of Meghalaya. Muga silk is also covered, since the state's climate is well suited to it. Support runs along the whole chain: grainage units that produce Disease-Free Layings (DFL), spinning and reeling units, natural dyeing units, and weaving units.

The stated aim is to build up the state's silk industry, draw entrepreneurial talent into it, and place Meghalaya's yarn and fabric on the international silk map — while protecting traditional crafts and the livelihoods that depend on them.

There is no application window to wait for. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.

• The state government covers up to 75% of project cost as upfront margin money
• Entrepreneur puts in just 5%, with the remaining 20% financed as a bank loan
• Partner banks named in the scheme are State Bank of India and Indian Bank
• Covers grainage (DFL), spinning, reeling, natural dyeing and weaving units
• One-time infrastructure support of a 500 sq ft or 1000 sq ft shed, plus equipment costs
• Open all year round to Meghalaya residents aged 18–58 and to registered or unregistered collectives

The scheme is open to two very different kinds of applicant — individual entrepreneurs and collectives, whether registered or unregistered.

For individuals:

• You must be a permanent resident of Meghalaya.
• Your age must be between 18 and 58 years.
• You need a certificate showing you have completed training in spinning or weaving.
• You must not be a credit defaulter with any bank.

For collectives:

• The collective must be based in the village where the programme is being implemented.
• Registered collectives need at least 10 members and must have been in operation for a minimum of two years.
• Prior spinning or weaving experience is required, verified for at least 5 members.
• The collective must employ a minimum of 5 spinners or weavers.
• It must hold an active bank account, with a statement covering the last 6 months, and must own or lease land.

Additional requirement for grainage units:

• Applicants — individual or collective — setting up a grainage unit need a minimum 10th pass education and at least 2 years of experience in laying production, certified by the District Sericulture Office.

Meghalaya Sericulture & Weaving Scheme — Up to 75% Project Cost Support is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

Meghalaya Sericulture & Weaving Scheme — Up to 75% Project Cost Support 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.

How the project cost is shared

• The Government of Meghalaya supports up to 75% of the total project cost as upfront margin money.
• The entrepreneur's own contribution is 5% of the project cost.
• The remaining 20% comes in as a bank loan through the scheme's partner banks — State Bank of India and Indian Bank.

Credit linkage

• The tie-up with partner banks is what makes the loan component possible, giving approved applicants a defined route to borrow rather than having to arrange credit on their own.

Infrastructure and equipment

• One-time infrastructure support is available in the form of a 500 sq ft or 1000 sq ft shed, depending on the option chosen.
• Equipment costs for spinning, reeling, weaving, dyeing and grainage operations are covered as per model estimates, which lowers the upfront capital a promoter has to arrange.

Training and advisory support

• Recipients receive training and capacity building so that grainage, spinning, reeling, dyeing and weaving units can be run properly, sharpening both technical skill and business sense.
• Implementing agencies guide applicants through the application process and facilitate the setting-up of the unit under the CM-ELEVATE framework.

Meghalaya Sericulture & Weaving Scheme — Up to 75% Project Cost Support is offered by Department of Textiles, Planning Investment Promotion and Sustainable Development Department, Government of Meghalaya, a government body. As a government-backed debt / loan, it is publicly funded and open to eligible startups across India.

Submitting the form is only the first step. Once an application is in, the implementing agencies and the partner banks screen it. Proposals that clear screening go into a review, which looks at three things: whether the project is viable, whether the applicant meets the scheme's eligibility conditions, and whether the plan lines up with scheme guidelines.

Applicants who make the shortlist may be asked to go through further verification or an interview before a final decision is taken.

Before you apply to Meghalaya Sericulture & Weaving Scheme — Up to 75% Project Cost Support, 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.