District Industries Centres (DICs)

Find out all about the role, functions, and schemes of the District Industries Centres. Check its key features, eligibility criteria, documents required, and application process below.

The Central Government launched the District Industries Centre (DIC) programme in 1978, with a view to promote entrepreneurial development. A DIC acts as a focal point providing support to the micro, small, medium, cottage industries at the district level.

District Industries Centres (DICs) are government agencies in each district of India that support the development of small, village, and cottage industries by providing a single window for various services. They help entrepreneurs by offering services like registration, financial aid, technical assistance, marketing support, and training programmes for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

District Industries Centres (DICs) function as a single-window agency for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by providing various support services as follows: 

• Entrepreneurship Development: 

Organising training programmes, motivation camps, and workshops to nurture new entrepreneurs and provide them with skills for self-employment. 

• Project Guidance: 

Helping entrepreneurs in identifying potential projects, preparing project reports, and understanding market forecasts and investment advice. 

• Financial Assistance: 

Acting as a liaison between entrepreneurs and financial institutions to facilitate loan approvals, credit, and the implementation of schemes like the Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP). 

• Registration and Compliance: 

Assisting in the registration of MSMEs and helps units obtain various licenses and certificates, including production and capacity certificates. 

• Technical and Resource Support: 

Providing technical guidance, information on machinery sourcing, and assistance with raw material procurement and quality control. 

• Marketing and Promotion: 

Conducting market surveys, provides market intelligence, and supports marketing efforts through initiatives like exhibitions and buyer-seller meetings. 

• Scheme Implementation: 

Implementing central and state government schemes and subsidy programmes designed to support industrial development and specific categories of entrepreneurs. 

• Infrastructure and Industrial Development: 

Aiding in the development of local industrial infrastructure and helps identify resources and suitable locations for small industries. 

District Industries Centres The main objectives of DICs include the following:

• Facilitate entrepreneurial capacity building for small and rural industries at the district level

• Identify new entrepreneurs and provide assistance for their startup’s growth

• Offer financial assistance and support to smaller enterprises

• Promote industrialisation at the district level

• Help reduce the regional imbalance in the development of industries

• Offer support at the pre- and post-investment level

The following are the DIC schemes under the wider overview of this government programme: 

• Prime Minister’s Employment Guarantee Programme (PMEGP)

The Union Ministry of MSME runs the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) to provide youth with employment opportunities in the non-farming sector.  Under this programme, the government offers a Margin Money subsidy to set up new units. The subsidy goes up to 35% in rural areas and up to 25% in urban areas.

• Entrepreneurship Development Scheme

The Entrepreneurship Development Scheme seeks to promote entrepreneurial skills in the unemployed youth by providing them with relevant training. The government offers three training programmes under this scheme, including a technical training programme.  

• District Award Scheme

The state government of Maharashtra runs this scheme to promote entrepreneurship among small industries and award them for their achievements. Eligible enterprises are those with EM (Entrepreneurs Memorandum) registration for the last 3 years and have been in production for at least the last 2 years.  

• Seed Money Scheme

The Seed Money Scheme is another Maharashtra Government-run scheme that provides soft loans to unemployed youth to assist them in establishing self-employment ventures. They can use these funds to obtain institutional finance. 

The government provides seed money assistance of up to 20% for project costs extending up to ₹25 Lakhs.

• DIC Loan Scheme

The District Industries Centre Loan Scheme aims to generate employment opportunities for the unemployed youth in towns and villages with a population of up to 1 Lakh. To be eligible for assistance under this scheme, the venture must have a capital investment of less than ₹2 Lakhs. 

Here are the basic eligibility criteria to get a loan from DIC: 

• The applicant’s age must be over 18 years

• The applicant must at least have cleared the eighth-grade

• The value of the enterprise must not exceed ₹10 Lakhs in case of manufacturing companies and ₹5 Lakhs in case of commercial or product sector

Whe applying for any scheme under the District Industries Centre (DIC) programme, you will need certain documents to validate your personal identity, business details, etc. Here are some of the documents that can be required under any particular DIC scheme list: 

Personal and Business Identity

• ID Proof: Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, etc. 
• Caste/Special Category Certificate: Required for assistance as a special category applicant.
• Disability Certificate: Required for applicants with disabilities covered under ‘The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016’.
• Rural Area Certificate: A certificate may be needed for applicants from rural areas. 

Business and Project Documents

• Detailed Project Report: A comprehensive report outlining the business plan. 
• Partnership Deed/Memorandum of Articles: Required for partnership or company structures. 
• Constitution of the Firm: A certified copy of the firm's constitution is necessary for SHG (Self-Help Group) or other structures. 
• Business Registration Certificate: Proof of registration for your enterprise. 
• Building Plan Approval: Required for certain applications. 
• Pollution Details: Process details and pollution-related information may be needed. 

Other Documents or Certificates

• Education/Skill Development Training/EDP Certificate: Proof of your training or qualifications. 

• Eligibility Certificate: This is a specific certificate obtained from the implementing agency for certain incentive schemes. 
• Authorisation Letter: May be required in some cases. 

Applying for District Industries Centre (DIC) schemes is straightforward, though exact steps can vary by programme. Here’s a clear, practical guide to the typical process: 

1. Learn About the Scheme: Visit your nearest DIC office or the official scheme website to collect the application form and review eligibility criteria, benefits and required documents. 
2. Complete the Form: Fill out the application carefully and assemble essential documents such as identity and address proof, caste certificate (if applicable), educational qualifications, a concise project report, and bank account details. 
3. Submit the Application: Deliver the completed form and supporting documents to the DIC office in person or upload them through the scheme’s online portal, where available. 
4. Initial Assessment: The DIC or the assigned nodal agency will examine your submission and perform a preliminary appraisal of the proposed project. 
5. Referral to Financiers: If your application qualifies, the DIC will forward it to partner banks or financial institutions for consideration of loans and any eligible subsidies. 
6. Detailed Evaluation and Sanction: The banks conduct a thorough project appraisal according to their lending norms and decide on loan and subsidy approvals. 
7. Disbursement and Implementation: Once required documentation and formalities are completed, funds and subsidies are released. 

You can use the approved support to establish and run the project in compliance with the scheme’s terms and conditions. 

District Industries Centres act as a local one-stop resource for small and micro enterprises, offering practical support across infrastructure, approvals and capacity building. Their services listed below can help entrepreneurs start, grow and formalise their businesses easily. 

• Allocate sheds, plots or units within electronic industrial estates to support manufacturing and assembly.

• Facilitate license clearances through a single-window system to speed up approvals.

• Run motivational and awareness campaigns to encourage entrepreneurship.

• Provide ready project profiles and business templates to prospective and existing entrepreneurs.

• Extend financial support and subsidies aimed at strengthening small-scale industries.

• Assist with marketing efforts and source raw materials via SIDCO or other Small Industries Development Corporations.

• Promote and manage industrial cooperative societies for shared growth.

• Help handicraft, cottage and SSI units complete registration and compliance requirements.

• Organise training programmes focused on entrepreneur development and practical skills.

Together, these services make it easier for small businesses to establish themselves, access resources, and compete more effectively in the market. 

District Industries Centres can act as your local gateway to government support, simplifying registrations, subsidies, technical help and training for small and medium enterprises. By linking you with schemes, approvals and local resources, DICs try to reduce red tape and help build a viable plan for growth. If you need capital, you can also explore formal credit options and consider a targeted business loan to scale operations responsibly. Reach out to your nearest DIC to understand eligibility and next steps.