How to register a brand name or a trademark in India?

How to register a brand name or a trademark in India?

So, you own a business or want to own a business, and you are thinking if the Trademark registration India really necessary step? is it something which is just good to have for a business or a must have for a business ? well, let me ask you a question, 

• How much time and effort you invested in your business? for your product ? or creating brand value?  Did you work hard to make your business a respectable and trust worthy name in minds of your clients?
• How would you feel, if someone else is misusing your business name?
• Or You found out that the name that you are using for your business is actually registered with some other company 

and Even worst case would be …

You work on your business for so many years to build brand and loyalty in clients mind and you found out you are infringing already registered trademark of someone and you can not use that name for your business here after

It would be a huge loss of time, efforts and costs !!! Would you like to avoid such devastating scenarios that can hurt your businesses image? which can result in all the hard work you put in building brand name (image) of the business going waste !!!

Then you need to seriously consider protecting your business name, identity, brand, logo, image etc. This is achieved by registering Trademark for your business. If properly used and promoted, a Trademark becomes the most valuable asset of a business. hence it is important to consider Trademark registration India.

A registered trademark is an important asset for a business used to protect the company's investment in the brand or symbol.

What is a trade mark?

In simple terms, trademark is a brand or logo which represents your business.

A visual symbol like a word signature, name, device, label, numerals or combination of colors used by owner of the trademark for goods or services or other articles of commerce to distinguish it from other similar goods or services originating from different businesses. A trademark can be a word, symbol, logo, brand name, wrapper, packaging labels, tagline or a combination of these and are used by manufacturers or service providers to identify their own products and/or services. It is used to distinguish the owners’ products or services from those of its competitors.

Example of trademarks:

Coca cola and Pepsi are two trademarks from same industry (beverages) which distinctly identifies source or origin of the goods as well as an indication of quality.

Trademarks in India are registered by the Controller General of Patents Designs and Trademarks, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. Trademarks are registered under the Trademark Act, 1999 and provide the trademark owner the right to sue for damages when infringements of trademarks occur.

However, any trademark, which is identical or deceptively similar to an existing registered trademark or trademark for which application for registration has been made, cannot be registered. Also trademark that would likely cause deception or confusion or is offensive may not be registered.

Who can apply for trademark?

Any person which can be individual, company, proprietor or legal entity claiming to be owner of the trademark can apply. The application for trademark can be filed within few days and you can start using “TM” symbol. And the time required for trademark registry to complete formalities is 18 to 24 months. You may use the ® (Registered symbol) next to your trademark once your trademark is registered and registration certificate is issued. Once registered a trademark is valid for 10 years from the date of filing, which can be renewed time to time.

functions of a trade mark are: 

• It identifies the service or product and its source
• It guarantees its quality
• helps in Advertisement of service or product 

different types of trademark:

• A name (including personal or surname of the applicant or predecessor in business or the signature of the person)
• A coined word or an invented word or any arbitrary dictionary word or words, not being directly descriptive of the character or quality of the goods / service
• alphanumeric or Letters or numerals or any combination thereof.
• Image, symbol, monograms, 3 dimensional shapes, letters etc.
• Sound marks in audio format 

Documents required for filing a Trade Mark Application in India:

• Trademark or logo copy
• Applicant details like name, address and nationality and for company: the state of incorporation
• Goods or services to register
• Date of first use of the trademark in India, if used by you prior to applying.
• Power of attorney to be signed by the applicant

The procedure for registering trademark in India

Step 1: trademark search

(time: about 4 hours) Cost: Rs 0 to Rs. 500

This search is to check whether your business name or logo is similar to other already registered trademarks. Generally trademark agent or attorney conducts this search with the Trademark Office to check if there are any similar trademarks already registered under that particular class. There are two kinds of search: online and offline. It is recommended that you get both the searches done. Once found to be unique you can proceed to the next step

Step 2: create trademark application

(time required: 2-3 days)

Based on the results of the search conducted, the trademark attorney will draft trademark application, provided that your business name / logo found to be unique. If someone already has the same or similar trademark, you need to change yours. Or if you are of opinion that the trademark is rightfully yours and you are using it since long time even before other party trademark registration. You can start using ™ symbol as soon as you file the form of trademark application.

Step 3: trademark registration

(time 18 to 24 months)

Cost: Government fees is Rs. 4,500/- in case of Individual/ Startup/ Small Enterprise (it would be 9,000/- in all other cases) and trademark attorney professional fees is Rs. 3500/- per application per class.

• The Trade marks office will first check your application to see if it’s already been taken. If it has, a trademark objection will be raised.
• If it has no objection, it makes an advertisement in the Trade Marks Journal.
• If there is no opposition from other businesses in the next four months, your trademark is registered around six months later. 

Note: objections Dependent Costs Drafting legal response to objections can be from Rs. 2000/- to Rs 5000 in order to overcome the objections and in case hearing is required, the cost per hearing would depend upon the complexity of the matter.

	Official Fees (INR)	Professional (INR)	Total
Trademark Application (Charges are for per class per mark application)	4,500/- in case of Individual/ Startup/ Small Enterprise	3,500/-	8000/- in case of Individual/ Startup/ Small Enterprise
	9,000/- in all other cases		12,500/- in all other cases

Steps you need to take to registration your trademark in India:

• Select and authorize a trademark agent or attorney to represent you.
• The trademark attorney conducts a search.
• Depending upon the results of the search, the trademark attorney will draft your trademark application. In case someone already has the same or similar trademark, you may have to change yours. 
• The trademark attorney will file your trademark application with the Trademark Office and send you the receipt.
• After a few days, the trademark attorney will send you the Original Representation Sheet of your trademark as it has been filed with the Trademark Office. 

It can take anywhere between 18 months to 2 years for the Trademark Office to decide whether or not to grant you the trademark; if there are objections from the trademark office or from anyone else, it may take longer. And your trademark is published in the Trademark Journal.

Why you need to consider registering trademark for your business

• Even biggest businesses like coca-cola, Siemens, Apple protect their business by means of trademark.
• The trademark would be important asset for your business and contributes to the goodwill generated.
• With registered trademark you can stop others from using your trademarked business name / logo etc with regards to goods or services it is registered
• Trademark can considered just like any other form of asset like real estate, as it can be sold, licensed or assigned
• It guarantees the identity of the origin of goods and services.
• It stimulates further purchase.
• It serves as a badge of loyalty and affiliation.
• It may enable consumer to make a life style or fashion statement.

For more questions and information or for trademark search, filing, opposition and registering trademark in India, you can reach us by going to my trademark requirement .

Cost for Trademark registering in India 

	Official Fees (INR)	Professional (INR)	Total
Trademark Application (Charges are for per class per mark application)	4,500/- in case of Individual/  Small Enterprise	3,500/-	8000/- in case of Individual/ Startup/ Small Enterprise
	9,000/- in all other cases		12,500/- in all other cases
In case of any objection from the Trademark Registry a reply to the Trademark Registry	-	4,000/- per reply	4,000/- per reply
In case of a hearing to overcome the objection	-	5,000/- per hearing	5,000/- per hearing
Once the Trademark is accepted and published in the official journal, it is open for opposition for 4 months by the third party. In case it is opposed, we will have to go through the separate procedure for which there would be additional charges depending on the facts of the cases.

Setting up Subsidiary Company in India

Setting up Subsidiary Company in India

Any foreign company can incorporate a wholly owned subsidiary company in India. In India, private limited companies are a most popular form of business structure and therefore the most obvious choice of foreign companies. In an Indian private limited company, there can two shareholders and two directors and at least one Director should be resident in India.

100% shareholding of an Indian private limited company can be owned by its foreign holding company and the requirement of having at least two shareholders can be fulfilled by giving one share to the nominee of a foreign company. Wholly owned subsidiary company incorporation process is fast and hassle-free and can be completed online. That means the promoters or their nominee doesn’t have to necessarily fly to India to incorporate a wholly owned subsidiary company.

Foreign Subsidiary will be formed as Private Limited/Public Limited Company and the holding foreign holding company will fund the shareholding. It may be noted that holding company can have 100% to have wholly owned subsidiary including shareholding of nominee shareholders who will be the beneficial shareholder of the company.

The investment limit will be in accordance with the FDI Policy of Government of India, where most of the sectors are under the automatic route.

Requirements for Appointment of Resident Director: As per the requirements of the Companies Act, 2013 every Indian Company should have a Resident Director.

Documents Requirements: Apostle and Notarized Signed Documents are required for foreign Shareholders and Directors. For companies it will be :

Board Resolution duly passed for entering and forming Company in India and in case of Individuals

Passport Copy, Driving Licence and

Current Address proof in the form of Bank Statement is required.

Obtaining Digital Signature of Directors

Obtaining Director Identification Number of Director

Application for Approval of Name of Company, this must be unique Preparation of Incorporation Documents

The signing of Incorporation Documents, this too should be notarized and apostilled Application for Incorporation of Company to Registrar of Companies.

Once this application is approved by registrar we get Certificate of Incorporation along with PAN and TAN (Tax Number in India )

GST Registration: GST Registration is required to be obtained afterward.

GST Council 32nd meeting: Relief to MSMEs & Other Highlights

GST Council 32nd meeting: Relief to MSMEs & Other Highlights

Chaired by finance minister Arun Jaitley, the GST Council concluded its 32nd meeting on Thursday. All the decision that had been taken in this meeting with respect to GST turnover limit and composition scheme changes would be effective from 1st April 2019. In the meeting, the Government took steps to provide compliance relief to Medium and small enterprises (MSMEs) by providing various reliefs and exemptions as discussed in this article.

GST turnover limit hiked

• The government will exempt MSMEs with annual sales of up to Rs40lakh ($56,701) from paying taxes under GST from the earlier Rs20 lakh. For hilly states and North Eastern states, the threshold has been doubled to Rs20 lakh. These states will now be able to choose if they want to keep the GST exemption limit at Rs20 lakh or Rs40 lakh.
• The Council has allowed the state of Kerala to impose a cess of up to 1% on intrastate sales for two years.
• States would have an option to decide about one of the limits within a week’s time as the State’s revenue is also tied to GST. This decision will now lead to various States having different GST threshold limits over time.
• Service providers will have to register for GST once they cross a turnover of Rs.20 lakhs with the exception that Special Category States at Rs 10 lakhs.

GST composition scheme limit

The Government has given a thrust to the GST Composition Scheme with the following three changes:

Increase in Turnover Limit

The limit of Annual Turnover for availing Composition Scheme for Goods has been raised to Rs 1.5 crore at 1% GST rate. Special category States must decide, within one week, about the Composition Limit in their respective States.

Yearly Return

Persons enrolled under the Composition Scheme were earlier required to file GSTR-4 return every quarter. Now to ease the compliance burden, a single annual return with quarterly tax payments has been introduced for the Composition Scheme.

Service Providers Eligible

Service providers who have a turnover of fewer than Rs.50 lakhs are also now made eligible to enroll for the Composition Scheme. These service providers would have to pay GST at the rate of 6% (3% CGST +3% SGST) of turnover. It’s important to note that those enrolled under Composition Scheme are not eligible to claim Input Tax Credit (ITC).

This scheme shall be applicable to both Service Providers and Receivers, who are not eligible for presently available Scheme.

Free Accounting Software

The Government has also decided to provide a free accounting and billing software for small taxpayers to enable easier GST compliance.

GST Cess

Finally, the GST Council approved the levy of Cess on Intra-State Supply of Goods and Services within the State of Kerala at a rate not of not more than 1% for a period not exceeding 2 years. This will be used as revenue mobilization for supporting the natural calamity.

Relief for Real Estate Sector

A seven-member committee has been set up to consider real estate GST rates, on which consensus has not been reached yet to Boost the Residential Segment of the Real Estate Sector.

Certificate of Commencement of Business

The Companies (Amendment) Ordinance 2018

The Ordinance states that a company may not commence business, unless it-

1. files a declaration within 180 days of incorporation, confirming that every subscriber to the Memorandum of the company has paid the value of shares agreed to be taken by him, and
2. files a verification of its registered office address with the Registrar of Companies within 30 days of incorporation. If a company fails to comply with these provisions and is found not to be carrying out any business, the name of the Company may be removed from the Register of Companies.

Commencement of Business under Companies Act, 2013

UPDATE: As per section 11 of Companies Act, 2013, now all newly incorporated Public and Private Companies having Share Capital would be required to obtain a certificate of commencement of business from concerned Registrar of Companies before commencing the business or exercise of borrowing powers

Under Companies Act 2013, the date of incorporation of a company cannot be the date of commencement of business (COB). From the point of commencement of Business, companies may be divided into 2 categories:

3. Public and Private Companies not having Share Capital
   A public company or a private limited company not having share capital are not required to comply with any other formalities and may commence its business activities immediately after obtaining the certificate of incorporation from the concerned Registrar of Companies.
4. Public and Private Companies having Share CapitalAs per of Companies Act, 2013, now all newly incorporated Public and Private Companies having Share Capital would be required to obtain the certificate of commencement of business from concerned Registrar of Companies before commencing the business or exercise of borrowing powers.

Through this article, we discuss the procedure for obtaining the certificate of commencement of Business under Companies Act, 2013

Certificate of Commencement of Business under Companies Act, 2013

Ministry of Corporate affairs has finally get back a very well fine concept which was also available in the erstwhile Companies Act, 1956 i.e. Certificate of Commencement of Business. Now under Section 10A of the Companies Act, 2013, a company cannot commence business or exercise any borrowing powers, unless

1. A company incorporated after the commencement of the Companies (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018 and having a share capital shall not commence any business or exercise any borrowing powers unless—
   12. a declaration is filed by a director within a period of one hundred and eighty days of the date of incorporation of the company in such form and verified in such manner as may be prescribed, with the Registrar that every subscriber to the memorandum has paid the value of the shares agreed to be taken by him on the date of making of such declaration; and the company has filed with the Registrar a verification of its registered office as provided in sub-section (2) of section 12.
   13. the company has filed with the Registrar verification of its registered office as provided in subsection (2) of section 12.
2. Where no declaration has been filed with the Registrar under clause (a) of sub-section (1) within a period of one hundred and eighty days of the date of incorporation of the company and the Registrar has reasonable cause to believe that the company is not carrying on any business or operations, he may, without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (2), initiate action for the removal of the name of the company from the register of companies under Chapter XVIII.

“23A’ Declaration at the time of commencement of business –

The declaration under section 10A by a director shall be in Form No. lNC-20A and shall be filed as provided in the Companies [Registration Offices and Fees) Rules, 2014 and the contents of the said form shall be verified by a company Secretary or a Chartered Accountant or a Cost Accountant in practice:

Provided that in the case of a company pursuing objects requiring registration or approval from any sectoral regulators such as the Reserve Bank of India, Securities and Exchange Board of India, etc., the registration or approval, as the case may be from such regulator shall also be obtained and attached with the declaration.”.

 Consequences for Not Filing Certificate of Commencement of Business

1. Non-filling of form INC 20A allows Registrar of Companies one additional ground to strike off the name of your Company from its Register.
2. The company shall be liable to a penalty of fifty thousand rupees and every officer who is in default shall be liable to a penalty of one thousand rupees for each day during which such default continues but not exceeding the number of one lakh rupees.
3. On non-filling of form INC 20A ROC may strike off your Company which shall adversely affect all the Sectoral Approval taken after the incorporation by the Company.

Accordingly, the concept of a certificate of commencement of business is another welcome in ease of doing business and run the business in a more legally and a transparent manner.

The Companies (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018

The Companies (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018 was promulgated on November 2, 2018. It amends several provisions in the Companies Act, 2013 relating to penalties, among others.

The objective of the Ordinance

The Ordinance has been formulated in view of the following objectives:

• To facilitate the ease of doing business.
• To enhance the scope of corporate compliance.

Discounted Issue of Shares

The Act prohibits a company from issuing shares at a discount, except in certain cases.  On failure to comply, the company is liable to pay a fine between one lakh rupees and five lakh rupees every officer in default may be punished with imprisonment up to six months or fine between one lakh rupees and five lakh rupees.

The Ordinance changes this to remove imprisonment for officers as a punishment.  Further, the company and every officer in default will be liable to pay a penalty equal to the amount raised by the issue of shares at a discount or five lakh rupees, whichever is lower.  The company will also be liable to refund the money received with interest at 12% per annum from the date of issue of the shares.

Commencement of Business

The Ordinance states that a company may not commence business, unless it-

• files a declaration within 180 days of incorporation, confirming that every subscriber to the Memorandum of the company has paid the value of shares agreed to be taken by him, and
• files a verification of its registered office address with the Registrar of Companies within 30 days of incorporation. If a company fails to comply with these provisions and is found not to be carrying out any business, the name of the Company may be removed from the Register of Companies.

Registration of Charges

The Act requires companies to register charges (such as mortgages) on their property within 30 days of creation of charge.  The Registrar may permit the registration within 300 days of creation.  If the registration is not completed within 300 days, the company is required to seek an extension of time from the central government.

The Ordinance changes this to permit registration of charges:

• within 300 days if the charge is created before the Ordinance, or
• within 60 days if the charge is created after the Ordinance. If the charge under the first category is not registered within 300 days, it must be completed within six months from the date of the Ordinance. If the charge under the second category is not registered within 60 days, the Registrar may grant another 60 days for registration.  If a person willfully furnishes false or incorrect information or suppresses material information which is required to be registered under this provision, he will be liable for fraud under the Act.

Change in approving the authority

Under the Act, change in a period of the financial year for a company associated with a foreign company, has to be approved by the National Company Law Tribunal.  Similarly, any alteration in the incorporation document of a public company which has the effect of converting it to a private company has to be approved by the Tribunal.  Under the Ordinance, these powers have been transferred to the central government.

Beneficial Ownership

If a person holds the beneficial interest of at least 25% shares in a company or exercises significant influence or control over the company, he is required to make a declaration of his interest.

Under the Act, failure to declare this interest is punishable with a fine between one lakh rupees and ten lakh rupees, along with a continuing fine for every day of default.  The Ordinance provides that such person may either be fined or imprisoned for up to one year or both.

Remuneration for independent directors

The Act restricts an independent director from entitlement to stock options.  It further states that he may receive sitting fees, commission, and reimbursement of expenses.  The Ordinance removes this provision.

Disqualification of directorship

Under the Act, a person cannot be a director in more than 20 companies.  The Ordinance provides that contravening this provision will be a ground for disqualification from directorship.

Adjudication of penalties

The Act allows the central government to appoint adjudicating officers to decide penalties under the Act.  The Ordinance states that these officers, in addition to imposing penalties, may direct the defaulting entity to rectify the default.

Compounding

Under the Act, a regional director can compound (settle) offenses with a penalty of up to five lakh rupees.  The Ordinance increases this ceiling to Rs 25 lakh.

Repeat defaulters

Under the Ordinance, if a company, or an officer, or other person commits a default again within three years of the previous case, the entity will be liable to twice the penalty as provided for such default.

Govt extends deadline for filing income tax returns by a month to August 31

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the due date for filing of Income Tax Returns from July 31, 2018, to August 31, 2018, for certain categories of taxpayers.








The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the due date for filing of Income Tax Returns to August 31, 2018, for categories of taxpayers who were to file their returns by July 31.


The decision comes days ahead of the July 31 deadline, which several groups had requested the government to push to later.

CBDT had notified the new income tax return forms for assessment year 2018-19 on April 5. Experts said the introduction of new forms was leading to delays in filing of returns.


Further, the CBDT had said non-filing of ITR before the due date from this assessment year would lead to a penalty of Rs 1,000, 5,000 and Rs 10,000, depending on when the returns were filed after the deadline. The fine for taxpayers having income under Rs 5 lakh remained at Rs 1,000.



If you are still unclear in choosing the appropriate ITR for disclosing your income earned during the previous year, here's a quick guide on the various ITR forms.

ITR 1 Sahaj:

Applicable to individuals that are an ordinary resident in India deriving income from salaries, one house property, other sources and having total income upto Rs 50 Lacs.

ITR 2:

It is applicable to any individual having total income exceeding Rs. 50 Lacs or having foreign asset/income or having more than one residential house property or income from capital gain or HUF.

ITR-3:

It is applicable to individuals and HUFs deriving income from profits and gains from business or profession along-with any income from salaries or house property or capital gains or other sources.

ITR-4 SUGAM:

It is for resident taxpayers (Individual, HUF, Firm other than LLP), who have opted for presumptive income scheme as laid down under section 44AD, 44ADA and 44AE of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

ITR-5:
This form can be used by a person being a Firm, Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP), AOP/BOI, Private discretionary trust, an Artificial juridical person referred to in section 2(31)(vii), Cooperative Society and Local authority.

ITR-6:

This form is being used by Company, other than a company claiming exemption under section 11 of the Income Tax Act. The ITR also introduces a new Schedule for Ind AS Compliant companies wherein they are required to disclose the balance sheet and P/L account in the same format as prescribed under the Companies Act, 2013

ITR-7:Required to be filed when individuals including companies fall under section 139(4A) or 139(4B) or 139(4C) or 139(4D) or 139(4E) or 139(4F). This ITR form is basically meant for trusts claiming exemptions u/s 11 of the Act, Political party, Mutual funds, Securitization trust, and other specified assesses.

OSP Registration in India

As per the New Telecom Policy (NTP) 1999, service providers in India involved in providing services like tele-banking, tele-medicine, tele-education, tele-trading, e-commerce, call center, network operation center and other IT Enabled Services, using telecom resources are termed as “Other Service Providers” (OSP). These Other Service Providers or OSP’s are required to obtain a OSP Registration from the Department of Telecommunication (DOT). In this article, we look at the process and procedure for obtaining OSP Registration in India.

Overview

As per the Terms and Conditions formulated by the Telecom Commission in February 2000, OSP’s can take telecom resources from authorized Telecom Service Providers only and should not provide switched telephony. Further, the Department of Telecommunication must register OSPs using telecom resources for providing an array of services like call center, tele-banking and other IT enabled services. Therefore, the Department of Telecommunication (DOT) now registers OSPs in India and has registered over 2500 cases since inception.

OSP Registration Applicability

Service providers in India involved in providing services like tele-banking, tele-medicine, tele-education, tele-trading, e-commerce, call center, network operation center and other IT Enabled Services, using telecom resources are required to obtain OSP Registration. Telecom Resources are telecom facilities used by an OSP including, but not limited to Public Switched Telecom Network, Public Land Mobile Network, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) and /or the telecom bandwidth provided by authorized telecom service provider.

OSP Registration Requirement

To obtain a OSP Registration in India, it is mandatory for the entity to be a Private Limited Company. Therefore, Entrepreneurs having plans for starting a call center or BPO or e-commerce or other IT Enabled Services must incorporate a Private Limited Company. The following are the documents necessary for OSP Registration in addition to the application in the prescribed format:

• Certificate of Incorporation of Private Limited Company
• Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Articles of Association (AOA)
• Board of Resolution or Power of Attorney authorizing the authorized signatory
• Name of Business and Activities Proposed
• List of Directors
• Present Shareholding

The above documents must be certified with seal by a Company Secretary or Director of the Company or Statutory Auditor or Public Notary.

OSP Registration Compliance

Once a OSP Registration is approved, the license is valid for a period of 20 years – unless otherwise expressly mentioned.  To maintain compliance, each of the OSPs are required to submit an “Annual Return” to the DOT mentioning the activities undertaken and the present status of the OSP. The annual return for OSP License renewal must be submitted with 6 months of completion of financial year.

In addition to the above, OSPs must maintain compliance with the Terms and Conditions prescribed by the Department of Telecommunication for OSPs. The detailed terms and conditions for OSP Registration and OSP Operation to be maintained can be downloaded here.

Indian Government Startup Schemes

Here is a list of startup schemes launched by the Indian government and run under different ministries and are further headed by different departments.



Indian Government Startup Schemes

           

Name Of The Scheme	Headed By	Industry Applicable	Fiscal Incentive (*T&C applied)
Support for International Patent Protection in Electronics & Information Technology (SIP-EIT)	Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY)	IT Services, analytics, enterprise software, technology hardware, Internet of Things, AI	Up to INR 15 Lakhs per invention or 50% of the total expenses incurred in filing and processing of the patent application upto grant, whichever is lesser.
Multiplier Grants Scheme (MGS)	Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY)	IT Services, analytics, enterprise software, technology hardware, Internet of Things, AI	Limited to a maximum of INR 2 Cr per project and the duration of each project should, preferably, be less than two years. For industry consortiums these figures would be INR 4 Cr and three years.
Software Technology Park (STP) Scheme	Software Technology Parks of India (STPI)	IT services, fintech, enterprise software, analytics, AI	Sales in the DTA up to 50% of the FOB value of exports is permissible and depreciation on computers at accelerated rates up to 100% over 5 years is permissible.
Electronic Development Fund (EDF) Policy	Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY)	IT Services, analytics, enterprise software, technology hardware, Internet of Things, AI, nanotechnology	Companies will get risk capital from "Daughter Funds" set up by Electronic Development Fund (EDF).
Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (M-SIPS)	Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY)	Technology hardware, Internet of Things, aeronautics/aerospace & defence, automotive, non-renewable energy, renewable energy, green technology,and nanotechnology	Majorly provides capital subsidy of 20% in SEZ (25% in non-SEZ) for units engaged in electronics manufacturing.
Scheme to Support IPR Awareness Seminars/Workshops in E&IT Sector	Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY)	IT services, analytics, enterprise software, technology hardware, Internet of Things, AI	Organisations are provided with a grant between INR 2 Lakhs to INR 5 Lakhs.
NewGen Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Centre (NewGen IEDC)	NewGen Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Centre (NewGen IEDC)	Chemicals, technology hardware, healthcare & lifesciences, aeronautics/aerospace & defence, agriculture, AI, AR/VR (augmented + virtual reality), automotive, telecommunication & networking, computer vision, construction, design, non-renewable energy, renewable energy, green technology, fintech, Internet of Things, nanotechnology, social impact, food & Beverages, pets & animals, textiles & apparel.	Provide a limited, one-time, non-recurring financial assistance, up to a maximum of INR 25 Lakhs.
The Venture Capital Assistance Scheme	Small Farmers’ Agri-Business Consortium (SFAC)	Agriculture	The quantum of SFAC Venture Capital Assistance will depend on the project cost, location and the promoter's status.
Credit Guarantee	Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE)	Sector-Agnostic	Both term loans and/or working capital facility up to INR 100 Lakhs per borrowing unit are being provided.
Performance & Credit Rating Scheme	National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC)	Sector-agnostic	The incentives are proportional to the turnover of the MSMEs.
Raw Material Assistance	National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC)	Sector-agnostic	MSMEs will be helped to avail economics of purchases like bulk purchase, cash discount, etc. Also, all the procedures, documentation and issue of letter of credit in case of imports will be taken care of.
Revamped Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional	Khadi and Village Industries Commission	Sector-agnostic	Funds limited to a maximum of INR 8 Cr to support soft, hard and thematic interventions are provided.
Single Point Registration Scheme (SPRS)	National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC)	Sector-agnostic	Micro and small enterprises will get exemption from payment of Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) and will be issued tender sets free of cost.
Aspire - Scheme for promotion of innovation, entrepreneurship and agro-industry	Steering Committee, Ministry of MSME	Agriculture, pets & animals, social impact, healthcare & life sciences	Based on nature of existence of the incubator
Infrastructure Development Scheme	National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC)	Sector-agnostic	For a deposit of six months refundable rent, an office space of 467 sq.ft. to 8,657 sq.ft. is provided.
MSME Market Development Assistance	Office of the Development Commissioner (MSME)	Sector-agnostic	Provides air fare reimbursements based on category entrepreneur lies in (General, women, SC/ST/PwD). The total subsidy on air fare & space rental charges will be restricted to INR 1.25 Lakhs per unit.
National Awards (Individual MSEs)	Office of the Development Commissioner (MSME)	Sector-agnostic	The Selected National awardee is facilitated with a cash prize of INR 1 Lakh, INR 75K, INR 50K  in order of ranking.
Coir Udyami Yojana	Coir Board	Agriculture	The amount of bank credit will be 55% of the total project cost after deducting 40% margin money (subsidy) and owner’s contribution of 5% from beneficiaries.
International Cooperation (IC) Scheme	Office of the Development Commissioner (MSME)	Travel & tourism, human resources, events, advertising	The incentives vary as per the organisation category.
Credit Linked Capital Subsidy for Technology Upgradation	Office of the Development Commissioner (MSME)	Sector-agnostic	Ceiling on loans under the scheme has been raised from INR 40 Lakhs to INR 1 Cr while the rate of subsidy has been enhanced from 12% to 15%.
Bank Credit Facilitation Scheme	National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC)	Sector-agnostic	N/A
Atal Incubation Centres (AIC)	Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)	Chemicals, technology hardware, healthcare & lifesciences, aeronautics/aerospace & defence, agriculture, AI, AR/VR (augmented + virtual reality), automotive, telecommunication & networking, computer vision, construction, design, non-renewable energy, renewable energy, green technology, fintech, Internet of Things, nanotechnology, social impact, food & beverages, pets & animals, textiles & apparel.	AIM will provide a grant-in-aid of INR 10 Cr to each AIC for a maximum of five years
Atal Tinkering Laboratories	Atal Innovation Mission	Chemicals, technology hardware, healthcare & lifesciences, aeronautics/aerospace & defence, agriculture, AI, AR/VR (augmented + virtual reality), automotive, telecommunication & networking, computer vision, construction, design, non-renewable energy, renewable energy, green technology, fintech, Internet of Things, nanotechnology, social impact, food & Beverages, pets & animals, textiles & apparel. Eligibility: Schools (Grade VI – XII) managed by the Government, local body or private trusts/society can apply to set up an ATL.	AIM will provide grant-in-aid that includes a one-time establishment cost of INR 10 Lakhs and operational expenses of INR 10 Lakhs for a maximum period of five years to each ATL.
Scale-up Support to Establishing Incubation Centres	NITI Aayog	Chemicals, technology hardware, healthcare & lifesciences, aeronautics/aerospace & defence, agriculture, AI, AR/VR (augmented + virtual reality), automotive, telecommunication & networking, computer vision, construction, design, non-renewable energy, renewable energy, green technology, fintech, Internet of Things, nanotechnology, social impact, food & Beverages, pets & animals, textiles & apparel.	Grant-in-aid support of INR 10 Cr will be provided in two annual instalments of INR 5 Cr each.
Udaan Training Programme For Unemployed Youth Of J&K	National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)	Education, human resources	INR 750 Cr has been earmarked for the implementation of the scheme over a period of five years
Enhancement of Competitiveness in the Indian Capital Goods Sector	Department of Heavy Industries (DHI)	Chemicals, technology hardware, healthcare & lifesciences, aeronautics/aerospace & defence, agriculture, automotive, construction, non-renewable energy, renewable energy, green technology, Internet of Things, nanotechnology, social impact, food & beverages, textiles & apparel.	One time grant up to 25% of the cost of the technology acquisition of each technology. Maximum amount given shall not exceed INR 10 Cr
National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) Refinance	Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA)	Renewable energy, clean energy, green energy plants.	REDA would provide funds received from NCEF by way of refinance to scheduled commercial banks and financial institutions (including IREDA). Maximum refinance amount INR 15 Cr per project.
IREDA Scheme For Discounting Energy Bills	Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA)	Renewable energy, clean energy, green energy	Upto 75% of the invoice value pending for maximum six months from the date of application subject to a maximum bill discounting facility of INR 20 Cr. The minimum amount of transaction covering a set of bills shall not be less than INR 1 Cr.
Bridge Loan Against MNRE Capital Subsidy	Bridge Loan Against MNRE Capital Subsidy	Renewable energy, clean energy, green energy	The projects will get up to 80% of the existing pending eligible capital subsidy claim, as verified by the IREDA with a minimum loan assistance of INR 20 Lakhs.
Bridge Loan Against Generation-Based Incentive (GBI) Claims	Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA)	Renewable energy, clean energy, green energy	A minimum loan assistance of INR 20 Lakhs is provided under this scheme.
Loan for Rooftop Solar PV Power Projects	Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA)	Renewable energy, clean energy, green energy	The quantum of loan from the IREDA shall be 70% of the project cost with minimum promoter’s contribution of 30%.  IREDA may extend the loan upto 75% of the project cost.
Credit Enhancement Guarantee Scheme	Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA)	Renewable energy, clean energy, green energy	Provide credit enhancement by way of unconditional and irrevocable partial credit guarantee to enhance the credit rating of the proposed bond.
Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme	National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)	Agriculture, pets & animals, social impact, food & beverages.	The incentives differ with respect to the cost of the required equipment or establishment of the facilities
4E (End to End Energy Efficiency)	Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)	Sector-agnostic	Up to 90% of the project cost with minimum loan amount of INR 10 Lakhs and maximum loan amount not to exceed INR 150 Lakhs per eligible borrower can be granted. The MSME unit has to pay only INR 30,000 and applicable taxes and the balance fee will be paid by SIDBI to auditors.
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY)	Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency Ltd. (MUDRA)	Sector-agnostic	MUDRA offers incentives through these interventions: >Shishu: covering loans upto INR 50,000/- > Kishor: covering loans above INR 50,000/- and upto INR 5 Lakhs > Tarun: covering loans above INR 5 Lakhs and upto INR 10 Lakhs
Stand Up India	Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)	Sector-agnostic	Composite loan between INR 10 Lakhs and INR 1 Cr to cover 75% of the project cost can be taken up, inclusive of term loan and working capital.
Sustainable Finance Scheme	Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)	Green Energy, Non-renewable Energy, Technology Hardware, Renewable Energy	Suitable assistance by way of term loan / working capital to ESCOs implementing EE / CP / Renewable Energy project provided.
SIDBI Make in India Soft Loan Fund for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (SMILE)	Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)	Sector-agnostic	The loan amount granted is based on category entrepreneur lies in. (General, women, SC/ST/PwD)
Startup assistance Scheme	Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)	Sector-agnostic	The financial assistance provided is need-based, subject to a maximum of INR 200 Lakhs and equity kicker
Growth Capital and Equity Assistance	Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)	Sector-agnostic	MSMEs are helped to leverage equity / sub debt assistance from SIDBI for raising higher debt funds.
Assistance to Professional Bodies & Seminars/Symposia	Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB)	Events, chemicals, technology hardware, healthcare & lifesciences, aeronautics/aerospace & defence, agriculture, AI, AR/VR (augmented + virtual reality), automotive, telecommunication & networking, computer vision, construction, design, non-renewable energy, renewable energy, green technology, fintech, Internet of Things, nanotechnology, social impact, food & beverages, pets & animals, textiles & apparel.	The incentives include nominal support for pre-operative expenses
Ayurvedic Biology Program	Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB)	Chemicals, healthcare & life sciences, nanotechnology, social impact.	Support is primarily given to encourage participation of young scientists and research professionals in such events along with nominal support for pre-operative expenses.
Industry Relevant R&D	Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB)	Sector-agnostic	The industry share should not be less than 50% of the total budget. Overhead is provided to the academic partner. The SERB share shall not exceed INR 50 Lakhs for a project.
High Risk-High Reward Research	Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB)	Chemicals, technology hardware, healthcare & lifesciences, aeronautics/aerospace & defence, agriculture, AI, AR/VR (augmented + virtual reality), automotive, telecommunication & networking, computer vision, construction, design, non-renewable energy, renewable energy, green technology, fintech, Internet of Things, nanotechnology, social impact, food & beverages, pets & animals, textiles & apparel.	The research grant covers equipment, consumables, contingency and travel apart from overhead grants. No budget limit is prescribed for these projects.
Technology Development Programme (TDP)	Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB)	Chemicals, technology hardware, healthcare & lifesciences, aeronautics/aerospace & defence, agriculture, AI, AR/VR (augmented + virtual reality), automotive, telecommunication & networking, computer vision, construction, design, non-renewable energy, renewable energy, green technology, fintech, Internet of Things, nanotechnology, social impact, food & beverages, pets & animals, textiles & apparel.	Provided support for project staff salaries, equipment, supplies and consumables, contingency expenditure, patent filing charges, outsourcing charges, etc.
National Science & Technology Management Information System (NSTMIS)	Department of Science and Technology (DST)	Chemicals, technology hardware, healthcare & lifesciences, aeronautics/aerospace & defence, agriculture, AI, AR/VR (augmented + virtual reality), automotive, telecommunication & networking, computer vision, construction, design, non-renewable energy, renewable energy, green technology, fintech, Internet of Things, nanotechnology, social impact, food & beverages, pets & animals, textiles & apparel.	Grant-in-aid are provided for projects. Also, overheads on projects are provided at the rate of 10% of the total project cost for educational institutions and NGOs and 8% for laboratories & institutions under Central Government departments/agencies.
Biotechnology Industry Partnership Programme (BIPP)	Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)	Healthcare & life sciences	Support is provided for high-risk, accelerated technology development especially in futuristic technologies.
Industry Innovation Programme on Medical Electronics (IIPME)	Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)	Healthcare & life sciences	The loan and grant are provided according to the startup stage.
Extra Mural Research Funding	Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB)	Chemicals, technology hardware, healthcare & lifesciences, aeronautics/aerospace & defence, agriculture, AI, AR/VR (augmented + virtual reality), automotive, telecommunication & networking, computer vision, construction, design, non-renewable energy, renewable energy, green technology, fintech, Internet of Things, nanotechnology, social impact, food & beverages, pets & animals, textiles & apparel.	The research grant covers equipment, consumables, contingency and travel apart from overhead grants. No budget limit is prescribed.
SPARSH (Social Innovation programme for Products: Affordable & Relevant to Societal Health)	Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)	Healthcare & life sciences	The loan and grant are provided according to the startup stage.
Promoting Innovations in Individuals, Startups and MSMEs (PRISM)	Council of Scientific & Industrial Research	Sector-agnostic	Support grant is provided under categories such as PRISM Phase I, PRISM Phase II and PRISM-R&D Proposals.
Science and Technology of Yoga and Meditation (SATYAM)	Department of Science and Technology (DST)	Healthcare & life sciences	Not specified.
Rapid Grant for Young Investigator (RGYI)	Department of Biotechnology (DBT)	Healthcare & Life sciences	RGYI provides startup grants to young investigators across the country working in different settings such as central government funded institutions, state government-funded university departments, scientists at DSIR-approved private institutions etc.
Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG)	Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)	Healthcare & life sciences	Up to INR 50 Lakhs for research projects with a commercialisation potential with duration of up to 18 months are provided.