MSME stands for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. In a developing country like India, MSME  industries are the backbone of the economy. When these industries grow, the economy of the country grows as a whole and flourishes. These industries are also known as small-scale industries or SSI’s.

Even if the Company is in the manufacturing line or the service line, registrations for both these areas can be obtained through the MSME act. This registration is not yet made mandatory by the Government but it is beneficial to get one’s business registered under this because it provides a lot of benefits in terms of taxation, setting up the business, credit facilities, loans etc.

The MSME became operational on October 02, 2006. It was established to promote, facilitate and develop the competitiveness of the micro, small and medium enterprises.

What are Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise?

Previously the existing MSME classification was based on the criteria of investment in plant and machinery or equipment. So, to enjoy the MSME benefits, the MSMEs have to limit their investment to a lower limit, as mentioned below:

These lower limits were killing the urge to grow as they were unable to scale their businesses further. Also, there had been a long-pending demand for the revision of MSME classification so that they can further expand their operations while continuing to avail the MSME benefits.

Now, under the Atamnirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (ABA), the government revised the MSME classification by inserting composite criteria of both investment and annual turnover. Also, the distinction between the manufacturing and the services sectors under the MSME definition was removed. The following is the current revised MSME classification, where the investment and annual turnover are to be considered for deciding an MSME.

Documents Required for MSME Registration

Aadhaar Card and PAN Card are the only documents required for MSME registration. MSME registration is fully online and no proof of documents is required. PAN and GST linked details on investment and turnover of enterprises will be taken automatically by the Udyam Registration Portal from the Government databases. The Udyam Registration Portal is fully integrated with Income Tax and GSTIN systems.

GST is not compulsory for enterprises that do not require a GST registration under the GST law. However, the enterprises that need to compulsorily obtain GST registration under the GST regime need to have GST registration for obtaining Udyam Registration.

Those who have UAM registration or any other registration issued by any authority under the Ministry of MSME, will have to re-register themselves in the Udyam Registration Portal by clicking on the “For New Entrepreneurs who are not Registered yet as MSME or those with EM-II”.