Nearly 9 crore micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have been registered on the government's Udyam Registration Portal and Udyam Assist Platform, collectively employing over 38 crore people across India, the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) said on 14 July 2025. The figures, released in an official statement, underscore the scale of the Centre's push to formalise India's vast informal business sector.

Two Platforms, One Goal

The Udyam Registration Portal offers MSMEs an official digital identity through a paperless, self-declaration-based and free online process — removing the bureaucratic friction that historically kept small businesses out of the formal economy. Its companion, the Udyam Assist Platform, extends this reach further by enabling informal micro-enterprises — including those outside the Goods and Services Tax (GST) or Income Tax systems — to obtain formal recognition through authorised partners such as banks, non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), and other lending institutions.

Enterprises registered via the Udyam Assist route receive an 'Udyam Assist Certificate', which makes them eligible for a range of government support programmes specifically designed for micro enterprises.

What Registration Unlocks for MSMEs

According to the ministry, Udyam registration opens the door to government schemes spanning finance, technology upgradation, quality certification, skill development, market access, and entrepreneurship promotion. Beyond scheme eligibility, registered enterprises gain easier access to institutional credit, statutory protection against delayed payments, participation in government procurement, and support for digitalisation and productivity enhancement.

Notably, the platforms are also being used as a vehicle for financial inclusion — drawing previously unbanked and under-served enterprises into the formal credit ecosystem for the first time.

Who Benefits Beyond the Numbers

The ministry highlighted that the initiative is making a measurable difference for historically underserved segments: women entrepreneurs, SC/ST entrepreneurs, rural enterprises, traditional artisans, first-generation entrepreneurs, and youth-led startups. By simplifying registration and lowering barriers to government support, the platforms are broadening who can access the formal MSME ecosystem.

This is particularly significant given that India's informal sector has long been estimated to account for a substantial share of employment — formalising even a fraction of it has outsized implications for credit access, social security coverage, and tax compliance.

Broader Economic Significance

MSMEs are widely regarded as the backbone of India's economy, contributing approximately 30% to GDP and accounting for a significant share of exports. The 38 crore employment figure registered on Udyam platforms represents a substantial portion of India's non-farm workforce, signalling that formalisation efforts are gaining traction at scale.

The combined impact of both platforms, according to the ministry, is strengthening entrepreneurship, accelerating formalisation, and contributing to the country's long-term economic development goals. With the registration base approaching the 9 crore mark, the next phase of the initiative is expected to focus on deepening scheme uptake among already-registered enterprises — translating registration into tangible economic outcomes.