- Why in news
- On 24 February 2026 the fifth National MSME Council met in New Delhi to review the World Bank-supported RAMP Programme. The Union MSME Minister also launched the Udyami Bharat Portal and the MSME Technology Transfer Platform.
- What it is
- RAMP (Raising and Accelerating MSME Productivity) is a Central Sector scheme of the Ministry of MSME, supported by the World Bank. It aims to strengthen MSME institutions and Centre-State links, and to improve access to markets and credit. The National MSME Council oversees coordination among Ministries and between the Centre and States under it.
- Role of the National MSME Council
- It is the administrative and functional body of RAMP. It oversees inter-ministerial coordination and Centre-State synergies, and monitors reforms in the MSME sector.
- Aims of RAMP
- RAMP targets market and credit access, stronger institutions and governance at Centre and State, Centre-State linkages, delayed payments and greening of MSMEs.
- Udyami Bharat Portal
- An integrated one-stop portal for MSME services, built in line with the Digital India Mission. It links MoMSME portals, other Central portals and State portals.
- MSME Technology Transfer Platform (MTTP)
- A unified digital platform giving MSMEs access to advanced technologies, testing facilities, skilling and IP commercialisation support.
- World Bank support areas
- The World Bank says RAMP supports greening, gender inclusion, access to finance and innovations such as online dispute resolution for MSMEs.
Don’t confuse with RAMP vs PMEGP: RAMP is a World Bank-supported programme for MSME institutions, reforms and Centre-State coordination. PMEGP is a credit-linked subsidy scheme that creates new micro enterprises.
Don’t confuse with Udyami Bharat Portal vs Udyam Registration Portal: Udyami Bharat Portal is a new one-stop portal integrating many MSME services. Udyam Registration is the portal for registering MSMEs.
Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.
Why it matters
- Coordinating Centre and States on MSME reforms helps address delayed payments, credit gaps and weak institutions.
- Digital platforms can cut compliance costs and help MSMEs reach technology and testing facilities.
Problems
- States differ in how fast they implement approved RAMP projects, as the Development Commissioner's call to expedite them shows.
- Small units often lack awareness of, or access to, digital platforms and formal credit.
Way forward
- Monitor State-level implementation regularly through the Council and share the success stories of States.
- Target women-owned and marginalised-section MSMEs so that the benefits reach them.
Put in your answer
Inclusion focus: The Minister stressed faster and deeper support for MSMEs owned by women and marginalised sections, to ensure inclusive growth.
Digital integration example: The Udyami Bharat Portal is a one-stop shop that integrates Central and State portals, in line with the Digital India Mission.
- 2023Mains GS3 · Q1Comment on government policies to raise manufacturing share in GDP, especially MSMEs.
- 2025Mains GS3 · Q12Discuss rationale, achievements, and improvements of the PLI manufacturing incentive scheme.
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: World Bank-supported MSME programme with a council to oversee reforms; lasting topic but few new testable facts, so no question likely.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.