NSIC Registration (Single Point Registration Scheme)
NSIC’s Single Point Registration Scheme (SPRS) enlists micro and small enterprises for government purchases, so they can bid without earnest money and get tender documents free. It is open to units with a valid Udyam registration, and the certificate is valid for two years. We prepare the application and stay with you through NSIC’s verification and, two years later, the renewal.
What it is
NSIC registration means enlisting your unit with the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) under its Single Point Registration Scheme. NSIC checks your unit’s capacity and issues a certificate listing the goods or services you supply. Government buyers use it to confirm you are a micro or small enterprise entitled to tender benefits.
The benefits come from the Public Procurement Policy for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) Order, 2012, applicable from 1 April 2012 and mandatory from 1 April 2015, as amended by S.O. 5670(E) of 8 November 2018. Applications are made online on NSIC’s SPRS portal.
Who it applies to
You make goods as a micro or small unit
Units with a valid Udyam registration classed as micro or small. Medium enterprises cannot register under SPRS. Think of a Faridabad fabrication unit making steel racks and almirahs for government offices.
You supply services to government
Micro and small service enterprises that supply services government departments buy, such as maintenance or housekeeping, can also enlist. A Ballabgarh housekeeping agency bidding for hospital contracts is a typical case.
You only trade? This is not for you
The procurement policy excludes traders, distributors, sole agents and works contracts. Retail and wholesale traders can register on Udyam only for priority sector lending.
Why it matters
Bid without earnest money
MSEs get tender sets free of cost and are exempt from earnest money deposit (EMD). That money stays in your business instead of sitting with the buyer.
Match the lowest price and still win a share
An MSE quoting within L1+15 per cent may match the L1 price and supply up to 25 per cent of the tender value. In practice, a small unit that misses L1 by a narrow margin can still walk away with part of the order.
Aim at the 25 per cent MSE target
Central ministries, departments and public sector undertakings must buy at least 25 per cent of their annual procurement from MSEs, and 358 items are reserved for MSEs alone.
NSIC registration or Udyam alone?
Since 1 July 2020, MSEs registered on Udyam are themselves eligible for the procurement policy benefits. So why register with NSIC? Here is the catch: some tenders still ask for an NSIC certificate, and the SPRS certificate records your verified capacity and items. If you sell through the Government e-Marketplace too, pair it with GeM seller registration.
| Udyam registration | NSIC SPRS | |
|---|---|---|
| Who issues it | Ministry of MSME, on self-declaration | NSIC, after checking the unit |
| Who can register | Micro, small and medium enterprises | Micro and small enterprises only |
| Validity | Permanent registration number | Two years, then renewal |
| Procurement policy benefits | Yes, for micro and small, from 1 July 2020 | Yes |
| What it records | Classification and activities | Items or services, with verified capacity |
Documents required
Registration papers
- Udyam registration certificate
- PAN and GST registration
- Constitution document: partnership deed, LLP agreement or certificate of incorporation
Financial papers
- Audited balance sheet and profit and loss account
- Income-tax returns
- Bank details
Unit and capacity
- List of machinery and testing equipment
- Premises ownership or rent agreement
- Applicable licences, such as pollution consent or factory licence
- Photographs of the unit
How it works
Fix your Udyam record first
We confirm your Udyam classification is micro or small and that the activities listed match the items you want to enlist.
File the application with your items and capacity
We fill in the online application with your items, capacity and financials, upload documents and pay NSIC’s fee.
Get the unit ready for verification
NSIC verifies the unit. We brief you beforehand. Machinery, testing set-up and production records should be in order and easy to show.
Start bidding with the certificate
Once approved, the certificate is issued with your enlisted items. You attach it to tenders to claim EMD exemption and other benefits.
Timelines
Register on Udyam before anything else
A valid Udyam registration is a precondition. If you do not have one, it comes before the SPRS application.
Use the certificate for two years
The SPRS certificate is valid for two years from issue.
Renew before the expiry date
Renewal needs updated financials and documents. Apply before the expiry date so your tender benefits do not break.
What happens if your registration lapses
Lose the EMD exemption on that bid
A tender asking for a valid NSIC certificate will not accept an expired one. You would have to pay EMD or skip the bid.
Miss the price preference
The price preference and free tender sets depend on proving MSE status at the time of bidding.
Budget for a performance guarantee anyway
Even a valid registration does not exempt you from a performance bank guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for NSIC registration?
Micro and small enterprises with a valid Udyam registration can apply under the Single Point Registration Scheme. Medium enterprises are not eligible. The procurement policy also excludes traders, distributors, sole agents and works contracts. The scheme helps manufacturers and service providers whose output government buyers actually purchase. We check your Udyam classification first, so you apply only if you qualify.
Is NSIC registration needed if I already have Udyam?
Not always. Since 1 July 2020, MSEs registered on Udyam are eligible for the procurement policy benefits on their own. Some tenders, however, still ask for an NSIC certificate, and SPRS records your verified items and capacity. We look at the tenders you target and tell you plainly whether SPRS adds value.
What benefits does NSIC registration give in tenders?
Free tender sets and exemption from earnest money deposit are the main ones. Under the Public Procurement Policy, an MSE quoting within L1+15 per cent may bring its price down to L1 and supply up to 25 per cent of the tender value. Central buyers must also source at least 25 per cent of annual procurement from MSEs. We help you claim these correctly in each bid.
How long is the NSIC certificate valid?
Two years from the date of issue. After that, you renew it with updated financial statements and documents, and NSIC may check the unit again. Applying before the expiry date keeps your tender benefits continuous, so a bid that closes in the renewal month is not at risk. We track the date for you and start the renewal papers in good time.
Are any items reserved for micro and small enterprises?
Yes. The Public Procurement Policy reserves 358 items for exclusive purchase from micro and small enterprises. If your product is on that list, central buyers must source it from MSEs. We check whether your items fall in the reserved list when we prepare your application, so you know where your advantage lies.
Are there special targets for women and SC/ST entrepreneurs?
Yes. Within the 25 per cent MSE share, 4 per cent of annual procurement is earmarked for MSEs owned by Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe entrepreneurs, and 3 per cent for MSEs owned by women. These sub-targets were added by the 2018 amendment. If your enterprise qualifies, make sure the ownership is correctly recorded in Udyam. We check this before you apply.
Does NSIC registration exempt me from a performance bank guarantee?
No. The procurement policy exempts MSEs from earnest money deposit, not from a performance bank guarantee. If you win the order, the buyer can still ask for a performance security as per the tender terms. Plan for it in your working capital. We help you read each tender’s security clauses before you bid.
Can a new unit register with NSIC?
Yes, though full registration is meant for units with at least a year of operations. A newer unit can seek provisional registration, which carries more limited benefits. Either way, you need a valid Udyam registration as micro or small first. A Faridabad unit that began production this year, for example, would usually start provisional. Tell us when your unit started production and we will tell you which route fits.
What it costs
Our fee plus the government fee that applies to your case, quoted before you commit. Tell us the situation and we will price it exactly.
NSIC charges its own registration fee under the scheme; we confirm the current amount for your unit before filing.
Ready to begin?
Share your Udyam number and the tenders you are eyeing, and we will tell you whether SPRS is worth it before you spend a rupee.