Under the assistance framework, eligible enterprises are provided reimbursement for both the one-time registration fee and the annual recurring fees paid to GS1 India—the authorised body for bar-coding standards. Financial support covers 75 percent of the one-time registration fee under the MSE-MDA scheme, applicable from 1 January 2002, as well as 75 percent of the annual recurring fee for the first three years under the National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme, effective from 1 June 2007.
The scheme is open exclusively to MSEs holding a valid EM-II registration and an active bar-code registration with GS1 India. Once registered for bar-code usage through the GS1 India portal, enterprises can initiate the reimbursement process by completing the prescribed application form. Forms can be obtained directly from the respective MSME-Development Institute (MSME-DI) offices or downloaded from the official Development Commissioner (MSME) website. Applicants must then submit the filled form along with the required supporting documents to their regional MSME-DI, whose contact details are listed online.
By easing the financial burden of technology adoption, the initiative aims to boost market competitiveness, enable smoother supply-chain integration, and ensure that small businesses can access broader retail and export opportunities. As digital compliance becomes increasingly essential, such support continues to play a critical role in strengthening India’s micro and small enterprise ecosystem.
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