6M Scheme Eligibility Checker
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Note: This calculator provides preliminary eligibility check based on investment and turnover. Full eligibility requires registration on Udyam Portal.
If you run a small factory in India and have heard the term 6M in manufacturing, you’re not alone. Many small business owners are confused about what it really means-and whether it applies to them. The truth is, 6M isn’t a technical term like CNC or automation. It’s a government program designed to help tiny factories survive, grow, and compete. And if you’re operating with less than ₹10 crore in investment, this scheme could change everything for your business.
What Exactly Is the 6M Scheme?
The 6M scheme stands for Six Measures for Manufacturing. It was launched in 2023 by India’s Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) as part of the broader Production Linked Incentive (PLI) push. The goal? To bring small factories out of the shadows and into the formal economy. Unlike big corporate incentives that go to Tesla or Tata, 6M targets the local workshop, the family-run unit, the five-person machine shop that makes parts for tractors or kitchen appliances.
The name ‘6M’ comes from the six key areas it supports:
- Manufacturing - Upgrading equipment and production lines
- Market Access - Helping small units sell to bigger buyers and government tenders
- Modernization - Subsidies for digital tools, IoT sensors, and basic automation
- Materials - Bulk procurement support for raw materials like steel, plastic, or chemicals
- Money - Low-interest loans and interest subsidies
- Manpower - Training programs and skill certification for workers
It’s not a single grant. It’s a bundle of benefits you can pick from, depending on what your factory needs most.
Who Qualifies for the 6M Scheme?
You don’t need to be a giant company. In fact, the bigger you are, the less likely you are to qualify. The scheme is strictly for MSMEs-micro, small, and medium enterprises-as defined by the government.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Micro: Investment under ₹1 crore in plant and machinery; turnover under ₹5 crore
- Small: Investment under ₹10 crore; turnover under ₹50 crore
- Medium: Investment under ₹50 crore; turnover under ₹250 crore
Most small workshops fall into micro or small categories. If you own a unit that makes metal brackets, plastic caps, or textile components with fewer than 20 workers and less than ₹5 crore in equipment, you’re almost certainly eligible.
Registration is done through the Udyam Portal. You need your Aadhaar, PAN, and bank details. The whole process takes under 15 minutes online. No lawyers, no forms in triplicate.
How Does 6M Help Your Factory?
Let’s say you run a small workshop in Ludhiana that makes bicycle parts. You’ve been using the same manual press for 12 years. Your output is slow. Your defects are high. Your customers keep asking for better quality.
With 6M, you can apply for a 30% subsidy on new CNC machines-up to ₹15 lakh. That means if you buy a ₹50 lakh machine, the government gives you ₹15 lakh back. You pay only ₹35 lakh. And if you’re a woman-owned unit or located in a backward district, you get an extra 5%.
For market access, 6M connects you to government procurement portals like GeM (Government e-Marketplace). Before, you had no idea how to bid on a contract to supply nuts and bolts to the railways. Now, the scheme offers free training on how to register, quote prices, and meet technical specs.
On the money side, you can get loans at 4% interest instead of 12%. The government pays the difference. That’s not a discount-it’s a lifeline.
And for manpower? You can send your workers to government-approved training centers for free. They learn how to operate new machines, read digital blueprints, and follow quality control standards. After training, they get a government-recognized certificate. That makes them more valuable-and you more attractive to buyers.
What’s Not Covered?
Not everything qualifies. The 6M scheme doesn’t fund:
- Land purchase or building construction
- Working capital for daily expenses like wages or electricity
- Importing finished goods to resell
- Businesses in the tobacco, alcohol, or gambling sectors
Also, you can’t use 6M to buy luxury items. A ₹5 lakh CNC machine? Fine. A ₹5 lakh coffee machine for the office? Not allowed.
And you can’t apply for the same benefit twice. If you got a subsidy for a lathe in 2024, you can’t get another one for the same type of machine in 2026. But you can apply for a different type-say, a laser cutter next.
Real Stories from the Floor
In Coimbatore, a family-run unit making brass fittings for water pipes applied for 6M in early 2024. They used the subsidy to buy a semi-automatic polishing machine. Their defect rate dropped from 18% to 3%. Within six months, they won a contract with a major plumbing brand. Their turnover doubled.
In Bhopal, a woman entrepreneur who made plastic containers for medicines used the 6M training program to certify her five workers in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). That certification let her supply to local pharma companies-something she couldn’t do before because she didn’t have ISO documentation.
These aren’t rare cases. In 2024, over 1.2 lakh small units received some form of 6M support. Nearly 70% reported increased sales. More than half hired at least one new worker.
How to Apply for 6M
Here’s how to get started in five steps:
- Register on Udyam if you haven’t already. Go to udyamregistration.gov.in. It’s free and takes 10 minutes.
- Identify your need. Which of the six M’s applies? Are you stuck on machines? Need better materials? Can’t find buyers?
- Check eligibility on the MSME portal. The system will tell you which benefits you qualify for based on your investment and turnover.
- Apply online. Each benefit has its own application form. Upload your Udyam certificate, bank details, and equipment quotes.
- Wait and track. Most approvals take 30-45 days. You’ll get updates via SMS and email.
There’s no fee. No middlemen. No bribes. The entire process is digital and transparent.
Why 6M Matters Now
Global supply chains are shifting. Companies in the U.S. and Europe are looking for reliable, small-scale suppliers in Asia-not just China. India is positioning itself as the next manufacturing hub. But that doesn’t mean big factories only. It means thousands of small units, working together, supplying parts to larger brands.
6M is the glue holding that network together. It’s not flashy. No billboards. No celebrity endorsements. But for the guy running a workshop in a village with three machines and two employees, it’s the difference between closing down and expanding.
If you’ve been waiting for a reason to upgrade your equipment, train your workers, or reach new customers-this is it. The scheme is active through 2027. But funds are limited. Apply before the next financial year ends.
Is 6M only for factories in India?
Yes. The 6M scheme is exclusively for manufacturing units registered under India’s MSME category. Foreign-owned factories operating in India can apply only if they are legally registered as Indian entities with Udyam registration.
Can I apply for multiple benefits under 6M at the same time?
Yes. You can apply for more than one of the six M’s in a single application cycle-for example, a subsidy for new machinery and training for your workers. But you cannot get duplicate funding for the same item. Each benefit is tied to a specific purpose.
Do I need to repay the subsidy?
No. The subsidy is a direct financial grant. You don’t pay it back. But you must use it only for the approved purpose. If you’re caught misusing funds-like using machine subsidy money to buy a car-you’ll have to return the amount and may be barred from future schemes.
How long does it take to get the subsidy after applying?
Most applicants receive approval within 30 to 45 days. Disbursement takes another 15 to 20 days after approval. You’ll get updates via SMS and email. If you haven’t heard anything after 60 days, contact your local MSME development institute.
Can startups apply for 6M even if they haven’t started production yet?
No. You must already be operating a manufacturing unit with at least one machine and one employee. The scheme is for existing small factories, not ideas or business plans. You need your Udyam registration and proof of production to qualify.
What to Do Next
If you’re running a small manufacturing unit and haven’t checked your eligibility for 6M yet, don’t wait. Go to the Udyam portal right now. Register if you haven’t. Then check the MSME website for the latest list of approved benefits. Look for your industry-textiles, plastics, metal fabrication-and see what’s available.
This isn’t a handout. It’s a tool. And tools only help if you use them. The machines, the training, the market access-it’s all there. The only thing missing is your application.
