Single Point Registration Scheme (SPRS): Objectives, Features & Benefits

Single point Registration Scheme (SPRS) is a start-up scheme backed by NSIC to focus on the advancement of the MSME sector of the country. Indian MSMEs sector contributes around 29% towards the country's GDP by its national and international trade, employing 120 million people in both semi-urban and rural areas.

The Government envisioned MSME sectors doing wonders by promoting growth and development through various schemes like the Single Point Registration Scheme.

Want to know more about Single Point Registration Scheme? Read along to know various aspects of SPRS!

Several PSUs extend support to the Government to enhance the medium and small enterprises in India. National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) is a part of such PSUs. NSIC registers MSMEs under the Single Point Registration Scheme to escalate the share of purchases from MSEs. NSIC is expediting MSME sectors through its Flagship Program, Single Point Registration Scheme (SPRS).

SPRS is facilitating MSMEs as well as the procurement department. MSMEs registered under SPRS can collectively participate in large Government tenders under a tender marketing scheme.

Under this scheme, MSME’s sector gets a third party inspection certificate which provides these enterprises with an edge over others so that the procurement agencies can cross them as a reliable vendor.

The primary objective of the Single Point Registration Scheme (SPRS) is to accelerate Government purchases from MSME sector. NSIC is a platform regulated by our Government to get Medium and Small Enterprises (MSEs) to utilise the benefits of the Government Stores Purchase Programme. Moreover, the program creates a slew of opportunities to boost purchases from MSE.

The salient features that fall under Single Point Registration Scheme (SPRS) are as follows:

• Single Point Registration Scheme aims to strengthen our economy by extending support to the MSME sectors.
• SPRS  was formulated to avoid multiple registrations of the enterprises.
• Moreover, SPRS under the Entrepreneur support scheme has brought a significant change in business owners’ lives, helping them prosper in the local and global market scenario.
• Micro and Small Enterprises registered under this scheme will receive a Single Point Registration Scheme certificate. The certificate is valid for two years and can be renewed depending on the MSE’s competency. 

Single Point Registration Scheme has proved to be effective in terms of its unique features. However, you must know about the eligibility criteria for the scheme.

MSMEs are eligible for Single Point Registration Scheme under the following criteria:

• Micro and Small enterprises that possess Udyog Aadhaar Memorandum (UAM), or Acknowledgement of Entrepreneurs Memorandum (EM Part-II) are eligible for the registration. Moreover, if MSMEs are registered with DI (District of Industries) or DIC (District Industries Centre are eligible for registration with NSIC under its Single Point Registration Scheme (SPRS).
• Additionally, Micro and Small Enterprises under Single Point Registration Scheme whose commercial venture did not complete one year receive a provisional Registration certificate. The monetary limit offered to them is valid for just one year from the date of issue after imposing the registration fee and obtaining the documents.
• Furthermore, if an enterprise has multiple factories, all the factories are registered at one branch. Single Point Registration Scheme (SPRS) considers the application for one factory. 

Under the public procurement policy for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), units registered under this scheme will experience a plethora of benefits. The benefits of Single Point Registration Scheme are as follows:

• Issue of Tender Documents Free of Cost: Respective Government tender sets are given to the MSEs at zero cost.
• Exemption from Earnest Money Deposit (EMD): As per this scheme, MSEs are free from the submission of EMD (Bid security).
• Upper Hand in Tender Participation: MSMEs who can quote the price band within L1+ 15% while participating in a tender can supply 20% of the requirement by reducing the quoted price to the respective L1 price (L1 is a non-MSME).
• Procurement from MSMEs: All the departments, central ministries or PSUs must set a target of at least 20% of the annual procurement of products or services from medium and small enterprises. Out of 20%, 4% is set aside for units owned by SC/ST categories, and 3% is for women-owned enterprises.

Registration under SPRS is straightforward.  MSEs can register either online or by visiting the nearest NSIC branch in person. Follow the mentioned steps if you want to register for SPRS online:

• Step 1: Get the Udyam Registration Number from the Udyam Registration website. Use this number to register for SPRS.
• Step 2: MSME units need to register themselves in the MSME data bank using the UAM number and PAN.
• Step 3: Go to the NSIC website and fill in the form.
• Step 4: Refer to the checklist and download section to get an idea about the required documents.
• Step 5: Once done with filling the entries, a certain amount is charged depending on the category of the unit enterprise.
• Step 6: Consecutively, a third party inspection will examine the store items. Respective Units are requested to choose an inspection agency in coherence with their domain expertise and jurisdiction.
• Step 7: As soon as your registration form is accepted, the final certificate will be available online. Furthermore, you will receive a hard copy of the same by post.

The scheme has received enhanced participation by MSMEs in Government tenders.

To recapitulate, Single Point Registration Scheme backed by NSIC is an effective and constructive initiative to help businesses prosper, especially MSMEs. This scheme is a stupendous provision by the Government for those who are waiting for a massive opportunity to set up their commercial venture.