Entrepreneurship has become one of the strongest drivers of self-reliance and economic growth in India. To encourage youth to set up their own businesses, the Government of Maharashtra launched the Chief Minister Employment Generation Programme (CMEGP) in 2019. This scheme provides financial assistance, subsidies, and loans to unemployed youth, women, SC/ST, and other special categories so that they can start their own ventures.
In this article, we will cover all details of CMEGP – eligibility, benefits, subsidy structure, application process, documents required, and FAQs.
📜 What is Chief Minister Employment Generation Programme (CMEGP)?
The CMEGP scheme was launched through Government Resolution (GR) योजना-2019/प्र.क्र.121/उद्योग 7 dated 01.08.2019.
It is implemented and monitored by the Directorate of Industries (DOI), Government of Maharashtra. The scheme works in coordination with:
- District Industries Centres (DICs) 🏢
- Maharashtra State Khadi and Village Industries Board (KVIB)
- Nationalised and Private Banks
👉 Through this scheme, the government helps unemployed youth set up manufacturing units, service enterprises, agro-based industries, and e-vehicle transport businesses.
🔗 Also Read: Skill Loan Scheme 2025
💰 Project Cost Limit under CMEGP
The maximum admissible project cost under CMEGP depends on the sector:
- 🏭 Manufacturing Sector – Up to ₹50 lakh
- 🛠️ Service Sector, Agro-based / Primary Agro Processing, E-vehicle transport, Single Brand Service Ventures – Up to ₹20 lakh
👥 Beneficiary Contribution & Subsidy Structure
Under CMEGP, beneficiaries need to contribute a small portion of the project cost. The rest is provided as bank loan + government subsidy.
| Category of Beneficiary | Contribution (of project cost) | Subsidy – Urban | Subsidy – Rural |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Category | 10% | 15% | 25% |
| SC/ST/Women/Ex-Servicemen/Differently Abled/VJNT/OBC/Minority | 5% | 25% | 35% |
✨ Example:
If a woman entrepreneur from a rural area starts a ₹10 lakh business, she contributes only ₹50,000 (5%). Bank provides loan for the balance, and she gets 35% subsidy = ₹3.5 lakh.
✅ Eligibility Criteria for CMEGP
To ensure the scheme reaches the right beneficiaries, the government has set clear eligibility norms.
- Age Limit 👶👩🦳
- General Category: 18 – 45 years
- Special Category (SC/ST/Women/Ex-servicemen/Differently Abled): 18 – 50 years
- Occupation 👨🎓
- Applicant must be unemployed youth or someone willing to start a new business.
- Annual Income 💵
- No upper limit of family income.
- Gender 👩🦱👨
- Both Male & Female applicants eligible.
- Marital Status 💍
- No restrictions – married / unmarried both eligible.
- Education 📚
- For projects above ₹10 lakh: Minimum 7th pass
- For projects above ₹25 lakh: Minimum 10th pass
🚫 Exclusions – Who Cannot Apply?
Not everyone is eligible. The following are not allowed under CMEGP:
- Only one person per family (self + spouse) can apply.
- Existing businesses/units.
- Units already availed benefits from PMRY, REGP, PMEGP or any subsidy linked scheme of Central/State Government.
- Businesses that have already received subsidy under any other government scheme.
🔗 Also Read: MUDRA Loan Yojana
📝 How to Apply for CMEGP? (Online Process)
The CMEGP application process is fully online through the official portal: https://maha-cmegp.gov.in
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Online Application Form 📄
- Visit official portal and fill the form with personal, business, and financial details.
- Scrutiny at District Level 🏢
- District Level Scrutiny and Coordination Sub-Committee (DLSCC), chaired by GM-DIC, will review applications and prepare a primary list.
- Approval by District Task Force Committee (DLTFC) ✅
- Eligible list forwarded to banks.
- Bank Sanctioning & EDP Training 🏦🎓
- Bank sanctions loan.
- Applicant undergoes Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) training.
- Subsidy Claim by Bank 💳
- Bank submits subsidy claim to GM, DIC.
- Approval & Disbursement 📨
- Subsidy (margin money) is released and adjusted in loan account.
- Lock-in Period ⏳
- After 3 years of successful business operation and loan repayment, subsidy becomes grant-in-aid.
📂 Documents Required for CMEGP Application
Applicants must prepare and upload the following documents:
- Passport size photograph 🖼️
- Aadhaar card
- Domicile certificate
- Educational certificate
- Undertaking form
- Detailed project profile
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
- Special category certificate (if applicable)
- PAN card
- Population certificate (for rural applicants)
- Bank clearance/approved certificate (if working capital is zero for project cost above ₹5 lakh)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on CMEGP
Q1. What is the maximum project cost allowed under CMEGP?
👉 ₹50 lakh for manufacturing and ₹20 lakh for service sector.
Q2. Who are the beneficiaries?
👉 Individual entrepreneurs & Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
Q3. What is the age limit?
👉 18–45 years (General) & 18–50 years (Special Category).
Q4. What is the definition of family?
👉 Self and spouse.
Q5. Can unit be set up in urban areas?
👉 Yes, through implementing agencies.
Q6. What is the lock-in period for government subsidy?
👉 3 years.
🌟 Benefits of CMEGP for Entrepreneurs
- Easy access to bank loans + government subsidy 💳
- Support for manufacturing, services, agro, and e-vehicle sectors 🚜
- Low beneficiary contribution (just 5%–10%) 🙌
- Special support for SC/ST/Women/Minority/OBC/Differently abled communities 🌍
- Helps in generating employment & self-reliance in Maharashtra 🏢
🔗 Also Read: National Pension Scheme for Traders and Self-Employed Persons
🏁 Conclusion
The Chief Minister Employment Generation Programme (CMEGP) is a golden opportunity for Maharashtra’s youth and women to start their own ventures with minimum investment and maximum government support. With subsidy up to 35% and loan facility, it empowers entrepreneurs to become job creators instead of job seekers.
If you are looking to start a new business in Maharashtra, don’t miss this scheme. Apply today at 👉 https://maha-cmegp.gov.in.
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