Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme Scheme

PMEGP / PM EGP / PMEGP Scheme

PM EGP is a common typographical or spelling mistake for PMEGP (Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme).
PMEGP stands for Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme, which is a single term without any spaces.
“PM EGP” is often written due to typing errors or lack of awareness.
The correct usage is PMEGP — always as one complete word.

What is PMEGP?

Introduction and Objective:
PMEGP is a Central Government credit-linked subsidy scheme launched by merging two previous schemes — Prime Minister Rojgar Yojana (PMRY) and Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP) — during 2008–09.
The primary aim of PMEGP is to create sustainable and continuous employment by encouraging new self-employment ventures and micro-industries in both rural and urban areas.

 

Who is eligible? (Eligibility Criteria)

  • Age: Must be above 18 years.
  • Educational Qualification:
    • For manufacturing projects costing more than ₹10 lakhs, minimum 8th standard pass is required.
    • For business/service projects costing more than ₹5 lakhs, the same educational qualification applies.
  • New Projects: Only newly approved projects under PMEGP are eligible; units existing under previous schemes like PMRY, REGP, or other government schemes are not eligible.
  • Other eligible groups include:
    • Self Help Groups (SHGs), especially excluding BPL families
    • Societies registered under Societies Registration Act, 1860
    • Production Cooperative Societies
    • Charitable Trusts

Financial Assistance – Loan & Subsidy

  • Project Cost Limits:
    • Manufacturing Sector: Up to ₹50 lakhs
    • Business/Service Sector: Up to ₹20 lakhs
  • Margin Money Subsidy (Government Grant):
Beneficiary Category Urban Area Subsidy Rural Area Subsidy
General 15%% 25%
Special* 25% 35%
  • Special category includes SC/ST/OBC, minorities, women, ex-servicemen, differently-abled persons, North Eastern Region (NER), hilly and border areas.
  • Project Cost Contribution:
    • General Category: 10% own contribution
    • Special Category: 5% to 10% own contribution

Important Provisions

  • Land Cost: Land expenses are not included in project costs. Only ready-built sheds or leased worksheds/workshops (with lease/rent up to 3 years) are allowed.
  • Per Capita Investment Limit: ₹1 lakh in plain areas and ₹1.5 lakhs in hilly areas.
  • Negative List: Certain activities like grocery shops, permanent retail shops, farm-related activities (goatery/piggery/poultry), and vehicle businesses (except certain bikes and tourist boats) are not eligible for assistance.
  • Loan Interest Differential: The government covers the difference between the actual bank lending rate and 4% through KVIC to banks.

Approval and Application Process

  • Implementing Agencies:
    • Central level: KVIC (Khadi and Village Industries Commission)
    • State and district levels: State KVIC Directorates, KVIBs, District Industries Centres (DICs), Coir Board.
  • Application Method:
    • Online via KVIC e-portal
    • Offline by submitting Detailed Project Report (DPR) and documents at local offices.
  • Documents Required:
    • Proof of age, education, caste/community certificate (if applicable for special category), project details, constitution/bye-laws of Society/Trust/MFI (where applicable).
  • For any doubts, contact your local bank or DIC/KVIC office.

Summary for Right Decision

  • PMEGP is an excellent option if you want to start a new self-employment venture.
  • Financial assistance is available for projects costing ₹25–50 lakhs in manufacturing and ₹10–20 lakhs in service sectors.
  • Higher subsidy rates are provided for special categories (Rural: up to 35%, Urban: up to 25%).
  • Applications can be processed through KVIC at the center, KVIB & DIC at state levels.
  • Both online and offline application methods are available.