Northeast BPO Promotion Scheme (NEBPS) — VGF up to ₹1 Lakh/Seat
A MeitY grant scheme, delivered by Software Technology Parks of India, that offers Viability Gap Funding of up to ₹1 lakh per seat to companies and LLPs setting up BPO/ITeS units of 25 to 1,500 seats in India's North-Eastern states.
- Funding amount
- ₹25L – ₹15Cr (grant)
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) (Government)
- Application deadline
- Rolling
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
The Northeast BPO Promotion Scheme (NEBPS) is a grant programme from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) that pushes Business Process Outsourcing and IT-enabled services capacity into India's North-Eastern region. Software Technology Parks of India delivers the scheme under the Digital India Programme.
Rather than paying out a flat subsidy, the scheme closes the viability gap that keeps BPO units from opening in the region. Support is structured as Viability Gap Funding (VGF): it can cover as much as half of a unit's capital or operating expenditure on a per-seat basis, with a ceiling of ₹1 lakh per seat. Stepped across the 25 to 1,500 seat band the scheme funds, that works out to between ₹25 lakh and ₹15 crore of support for a single applicant.
The larger purpose is jobs. NEBPS is built to seed 5,000 BPO/ITeS seats in the North-East so that local youth can find work close to home, while fresh investment flows into the region's IT and ITeS sector. Alongside the seat count, the scheme is meant to strengthen infrastructure, develop skilled manpower locally and spread IT-led growth more evenly across India.
There is no fixed closing date — proposals are accepted on a rolling basis. The support is a grant, not a loan, and the scheme does not ask for an equity stake in your business.
Highlights
- Viability Gap Funding of up to ₹1 lakh per seat — roughly ₹25 lakh to ₹15 crore per applicant
- Open to BPO/ITeS units of 25 to 1,500 seats across the eight North-Eastern states
- Rolling applications, with no fixed closing date
- Extra incentives: 7.5% for 75% women, 2% for 4% differently-abled, up to 10% for over-hiring, 5% for local entrepreneurs
- Grant-based, so no equity is taken in your company
- Scheme goal: 5,000 BPO/ITeS seats in the North-East
Who can apply
The scheme is open to companies and LLPs that intend to build and run a BPO/ITeS unit in the North-East. Broadly, you need the right entity structure, a large enough unit and a financial track record behind you.
- Entity type: registered in India under the Companies Act, 1956 or the Companies Act, 2013, or under the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008.
- Location: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim or Tripura.
- Unit size: at least 25 seats in one city or town. You may bid for up to 1,500 seats, at a single site or spread across several locations in the region.
- Operating commitment: the unit has to run for 3 years or more.
- Premises: an undertaking to lease suitable premises for at least 3 years, or proof of ownership. Floor space must work out to a minimum of 40 sq ft per seat — 4,000 sq ft for a 100-seat facility, utilities included.
- Turnover: a minimum average annual turnover over the last three financial years, scaling with the seats applied for — from ₹1 crore for 25–50 seats up to ₹15 crore for 1,001–1,500 seats.
- Employment target: a commitment to employ at least 1.5 times the approved seat count for a minimum of 3 years.
- Net worth: a positive net worth, backed by a Chartered Accountant's certificate, as on 31-03-2018 or as per the latest audited financial year.
- Clean record: a self-declaration that you are not on any government agency's blacklist and have not been ruled ineligible for corrupt or fraudulent practices.
- Consortiums: a consortium that includes an Indian company meeting the financial criteria may apply, provided the eligible entity keeps at least 26% equity for a minimum of 3 years from the start of operations.
Northeast BPO Promotion Scheme (NEBPS) — VGF up to ₹1 Lakh/Seat 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
Northeast BPO Promotion Scheme (NEBPS) — VGF up to ₹1 Lakh/Seat 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
Financial support under NEBPS is granted as Viability Gap Funding (VGF). It covers up to 50% of CAPEX and/or OPEX per seat, subject to a hard ceiling of ₹1 lakh per seat. Depending on how many seats you are approved for, total support therefore runs from about ₹25 lakh to ₹15 crore.
On top of the base VGF, the scheme layers special incentives to steer inclusive hiring and regional participation:
- 7.5% extra for running operations with 75% women employees.
- 2% extra for employing 4% differently-abled persons.
- Up to 10% extra for generating employment beyond your approved target.
- 5% extra for local entrepreneurs.
Alongside the cash, applicants can draw on the scheme's grant facilitation and regulatory support while setting up and operating the unit.
About the provider
Northeast BPO Promotion Scheme (NEBPS) — VGF up to ₹1 Lakh/Seat is offered by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), a government body. As a government-backed grant, it is publicly funded and open to eligible startups across India. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Every proposal is examined by the competent authority appointed under the scheme. The review weighs the substance of your proposal, how closely it follows the published guidelines, and how credible your commitments are on running the unit and meeting the employment target.
The route from application to funding looks like this:
- Submit a proposal or bid for the BPO/ITeS seats through the Software Technology Parks of India portal, with the information and supporting documents the guidelines require.
- The competent authority evaluates the proposal.
- After approval, establish the BPO/ITeS unit in line with what was proposed.
- File performance reports and claims through the portal to draw down the VGF.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Northeast BPO Promotion Scheme (NEBPS) — VGF up to ₹1 Lakh/Seat, 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
Northeast BPO Promotion Scheme (NEBPS) — VGF up to ₹1 Lakh/Seat is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹25L – ₹15Cr. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding can I get under NEBPS?
Support comes as Viability Gap Funding of up to 50% of CAPEX and/or OPEX per seat, capped at ₹1 lakh per seat. Depending on the number of seats you bid for, total assistance ranges from about ₹25 lakh to ₹15 crore. Additional percentage incentives for inclusive hiring can push that higher.
Is there a deadline to apply?
No. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so the scheme is effectively always open. You can submit a proposal whenever your unit plan and documents are ready.
Who is eligible to apply?
Companies registered under the Companies Act, 1956 or 2013 and LLPs registered under the LLP Act, 2008 can apply. You must be willing to run a BPO/ITeS unit of at least 25 seats in a single city or town, meet the turnover and net worth requirements, commit to operating for at least 3 years, and hit an employment target of 1.5 times your approved seats.
Which states does the scheme cover?
The eight North-Eastern states: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. Seats may be set up at one location or split across several locations within these states.
Do I need DPIIT recognition or MSME registration to apply?
Neither is listed as a condition in the scheme. Eligibility rests on your entity being registered under the Companies Act or the LLP Act, on the financial criteria — average annual turnover over the last three financial years and positive net worth — and on the operating and employment commitments you give.
Does the scheme take equity in my company?
No. This is grant-based Viability Gap Funding, so the scheme does not acquire a stake in your business. The only equity-linked condition applies to consortiums, where the eligible Indian company must hold at least 26% equity for a minimum of 3 years from the start of operations.
What is the minimum and maximum number of seats I can apply for?
The floor is 25 seats at one location. The ceiling is 1,500 seats per applicant, which can be placed at one site or across multiple locations in the North-East.
What premises and space requirements must I meet?
You must either give an undertaking to lease suitable premises for at least 3 years or provide proof of ownership, and the facility needs a minimum of 40 sq ft per seat including utilities — for example, 4,000 sq ft for 100 seats.
What turnover and net worth do I need?
You must show a minimum average annual turnover over the last three financial years, which rises with the seats applied for: ₹1 crore for 25–50 seats, going up to ₹15 crore for 1,001–1,500 seats. Your net worth must also be positive, certified by a Chartered Accountant as on 31-03-2018 or as per the last audited financial year.
What extra incentives are available beyond the base VGF?
Four add-ons: 7.5% for employing 75% women, 2% for employing 4% differently-abled persons, up to 10% for creating employment beyond your approved target, and 5% for local entrepreneurs.
Can a consortium apply?
Yes. A consortium that includes an Indian company meeting the financial eligibility criteria can apply, as long as the eligible entity maintains at least 26% equity shareholding for a minimum of 3 years from the commencement of operations.
How do I apply for the scheme?
Go to the Software Technology Parks of India portal, read the scheme details and instructions, then submit your proposal or bid along with the documents specified in the guidelines. The competent authority evaluates it, you set up the unit after approval, and you file performance reports and claims through the portal to receive your VGF.
Who offers Northeast BPO Promotion Scheme (NEBPS) — VGF up to ₹1 Lakh/Seat?
Northeast BPO Promotion Scheme (NEBPS) — VGF up to ₹1 Lakh/Seat is offered by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), a government body. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.
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