5th National MSME Council Reviews Progress of World Bank–Supported RAMP Programme

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5th National MSME Council Reviews Progress of World Bank–Supported RAMP Programme

1. At a Glance

• The National MSME Council is the apex coordination body created under the RAMP (Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance) Programme to steer inter-ministerial and Centre-State coordination on MSME reforms [S1][S3].
• RAMP is a World Bank-supported, results-based Central Sector Scheme with an outlay of ₹6,062.45 crore (USD 808 mn) approved March 2022 [S2][S3].
• The 5th Council meeting (24 Feb 2026) reviewed RAMP rollout and launched the Udyami Bharat Portal and an MSME Technology Transfer Platform [S1].

2. Why in the News

• The 5th meeting of the National MSME Council was held on 24 February 2026 at the NASC Complex, Pusa, New Delhi, chaired by Union MSME Minister Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi [S1].
• He launched the Udyami Bharat Portal (UBP) — a "One-Stop Shop" integrating all MoMSME portals plus other Central/State portals — and an MSME Technology Transfer Platform for competitiveness [S1].

3. Background & Evolution

• U.K. Sinha Committee (RBI, 2019) recommended a comprehensive MSME reform programme; RAMP was conceived in response [S2].
• Cabinet approval: 30 March 2022; Launch by PM: 30 June 2022 [S2][S3].
• National MSME Council constituted as the administrative-functional body of RAMP; 1st meeting held in 2023 [S4].
• Tenure of programme: FY 2022-23 to FY 2026-27 (5 years) [S3].

4. Core Static Facts

• Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME), Government of India [S1][S2].
• Type: Central Sector Scheme; Program-for-Results (PforR) instrument of the World Bank [S2].
• Outlay: ₹6,062.45 cr (USD 808 mn) = ₹3,750 cr (USD 500 mn World Bank loan) + ₹2,312.45 cr (USD 308 mn GoI) [S2].
• Two Result Areas: (i) Strengthening Institutions & Governance of MSME programme; (ii) Support to Market Access, Firm Capabilities and Access to Finance [S2].
• Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs): result-based reimbursement; ~46% of WB assistance claimed by MoMSME so far [S2].
• National MSME Council: chaired by Union Minister, MoMSME; oversees Centre-State synergies and reform monitoring [S1][S4].
• Statutory base of sector: MSMED Act, 2006 (revised classification via Notification of June 2020; further revised in 2025) [S2].

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Economic - MSMEs contribute ~30% of GDP, ~45% of manufacturing output and ~45% of exports; RAMP targets credit access, technology upgradation and market linkage [S2]. - Focus on receivable financing markets and scale-up of online dispute resolution for delayed payments [S2].

Administrative / Federalism - Council provides Centre-State synergy mechanism; states submit Strategic Investment Plans (SIPs) to access RAMP funds [S2][S4]. - Inter-Ministerial coordination institutionalised — first such formal coordination body in MSME sector [S4].

Scientific / Technological - New MSME Technology Transfer Platform seeks to match technology providers with MSME adopters; aligned with greening, digitalisation and Industry 4.0 components of RAMP [S1][S2].

Governance - Udyami Bharat Portal integrates Udyam, Champions, SAMADHAAN, TReDS-linked services into a single window — Digital India alignment [S1].

Social - RAMP has dedicated sub-windows for women-led MSMEs, SC/ST-owned units and Aspirational Districts [S2].

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• 24 Feb 2026 — 5th National MSME Council meeting; launch of Udyami Bharat Portal + MSME Technology Transfer Platform [S1].
• Jan 2026 — MSME beneficiaries hosted as 'Special Guests' at Republic Day Parade 2026, Kartavya Path [S5].
• 2024-25 — Revised MSME classification (investment & turnover thresholds raised, announced in Union Budget 2025-26) [S2].
• Cumulative RAMP disbursement reached ~USD 230 mn (46% of WB component) by 2025 [S2].

7. Prelims Hooks

• RAMP is a Central Sector Scheme, not Centrally Sponsored [S2].
• World Bank instrument used = Program-for-Results (PforR), not investment project financing [S2].
• Total RAMP outlay = ₹6,062.45 crore / USD 808 million [S2].
• World Bank loan share = USD 500 million [S2].
• RAMP launch date (by PM) = 30 June 2022; Cabinet nod = 30 March 2022 [S2].
• Programme tenure = 5 years (2022-23 to 2026-27) [S3].
• National MSME Council is chaired by the Union MSME Minister [S1].
• 5th Council meeting venue = NASC Complex, Pusa, New Delhi, 24 Feb 2026 [S1].
• Current MSME Minister = Jitan Ram Manjhi; MoS = Shobha Karandlaje [S1][S5].
• Udyami Bharat Portal is the new "One-Stop Shop" for MSME services [S1].
• RAMP has two Result Areas (Institutions/Governance + Market Access/Firm Capabilities/Finance) [S2].
• Statutory base: MSMED Act, 2006 [S2].
• RAMP origin recommendation: U.K. Sinha Committee, RBI (2019) [S2].
• States access RAMP via Strategic Investment Plans (SIPs) [S2].

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-III — Indian Economy: Growth, Development & Employment; Inclusive growth; Effects of liberalisation on the economy.
• GS-II — Government policies for vulnerable sections (MSMEs as employment generators); Centre-State relations.
• Sample question stems:
• "Examine how the RAMP programme attempts to address the structural bottlenecks of India's MSME sector."
• "The institutional architecture of MSME reform suffers from fragmented Centre-State coordination. Critically analyse with reference to the National MSME Council."
• "Discuss the role of multilateral development banks in financing MSME reforms in India."

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• MSMED Act, 2006 & 2020/2025 reclassification — statutory base of the sector.
• Udyam Registration Portal / SAMADHAAN / CHAMPIONS portal — sibling digital platforms.
• PM Vishwakarma Scheme — complementary scheme for artisans.
• TReDS (Trade Receivables Discounting System) — addresses delayed payments, a RAMP focus area.
• U.K. Sinha Committee on MSMEs (RBI, 2019) — genesis document.
• Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for MSEs (CGTMSE) — credit access pillar.
• Self-Reliant India Fund / Fund of Funds for MSMEs — equity infusion vehicle.
• World Bank PforR instrument — financing modality used.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• RAMP is not a credit guarantee scheme; it is a reform-and-capacity programme using PforR financing — do not confuse with CGTMSE.
• The World Bank share is USD 500 mn, not the full USD 808 mn outlay.
• The National MSME Council ≠ National Board for MSMEs (statutory body under MSMED Act, 2006) — Council is a RAMP-specific oversight body.
• RAMP is Central Sector, fully Central-funded (not Centrally Sponsored).
• Udyami Bharat is both the annual MSME Day event branding (since 2022) and now also a portal (launched Feb 2026) — distinguish the two.

11. Sources

• [S1] 5th National MSME Council Reviews Progress of World Bank–Supported RAMP Programme — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2232474 — (tier: 1)
• [S2] Cabinet approves USD 808 million for "Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance" — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1811360 — (tier: 1)
• [S3] "Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance" (RAMP) Scheme — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2041699 — (tier: 1)
• [S4] First meeting of National MSME Council held with emphasis on RAMP — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1923218 — (tier: 1)
• [S5] Union Minister Manjhi & MoS Karandlaje with MSME beneficiaries at Republic Day Parade 2026 — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2218683 — (tier: 1)
• [S6] World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report (P172226) — https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099092725025539501/pdf/P172226-72633458-99d9-4ddb-9ee9-f2725ec5a1ce.pdf — (tier: 2)