What Is the ME-Card for Micro Enterprises — And How Can You Apply?

empowering-micro-enterprises-with-financial-support-tools.jpg

Posted On 2025-05-30

Author Hitesh Kothari

Micro enterprises in India often face redundant verification processes—submitting the same data on turnover, ownership, and business activity across loan applications, government schemes, and procurement contracts. 

This inefficiency delays approvals and hinders access to timely financial and growth opportunities. The ME-Card removes that friction by creating one verified profile, linked to your PAN, UDYAM, and GST records. Once issued, this profile works across departments, so your enterprise doesn’t have to start from scratch every time.

With the ME Card, micro enterprises get faster decisions, fewer document requests, and smoother access to benefits. If your business qualifies, the ME-Card is the fastest way to stay recognized, eligible, and ready.

What is the ME-Card?

The ME-Card is a digital ID issued by the government to recognize and support micro enterprises. It works as a verified profile that brings together key business details—like ownership, turnover, and activity type—into one place.

Once issued, the ME-Card allows your enterprise to be identified across departments without repeated documentation. You don’t have to apply separately or re-verify your status every time you want to access a scheme, apply for subsidized credit, or claim procurement preference.

It doesn’t replace UDYAM or PAN. Instead, it connects with those records to confirm your micro enterprise status and make sure benefits reach the right businesses, faster and with fewer barriers.

Why is the ME-Card Important for Micro Enterprises?

Over 94% of businesses in India qualify as micro enterprises, yet most operate without a centralized ID system that confirms their status across departments. That gap leads to delays, missed benefits, and repeated paperwork.

The ME-Card solves this by creating a verified profile that stays active across schemes, banks, and procurement platforms.

Here’s what it changes:

  • Reduces repeated verification loops: Without a system like the ME-Card, micro businesses have to prove the same facts—turnover, activity type, ownership—every time they apply for support. The ME-Card stops that cycle.

  • Unlocks faster loan and scheme approvals: Lenders and government platforms can instantly confirm whether a business qualifies for micro-specific credit or subsidy programs. No re-validation. No follow-ups.

  • Improves eligibility in public procurement: Procurement policies favor micro units. The ME-Card lets evaluators verify your status without asking for extra documents, which speeds up onboarding and bidding.

  • Connects existing records in one ID: It pulls data from UDYAM, PAN, and GST filings. That makes your enterprise visible and verifiable within official systems—without starting over each time.

In a space where identity and eligibility often slow down access, the ME-Card gives micro enterprises a clearer path to act quickly—on loans, schemes, and contracts.

Who is Eligible to Apply for the ME-Card?

Only businesses that qualify as micro enterprises under the official MSME definition can apply.

As per the revised MSME classification set by the Government of India:

  • Your annual turnover must not exceed ₹10 crore

  • Your investment in plant and machinery or equipment must not exceed ₹2.5 crore

Both conditions must be met to fall under the micro category. If your business crosses either of these limits, it moves into the small or medium enterprise bracket and becomes ineligible for the ME-Card.

Entity types allowed:

  • Proprietorships

  • Partnerships

  • Private limited companies

  • One-person companies (OPCs)

  • LLPs and other legally recognized business structures

Other conditions:

  • Your business must be registered on the UDYAM portal

  • You must have an active PAN and GST number linked to the enterprise

No unregistered, informal, or personal ventures qualify. The ME-Card is built for businesses that are formally recognized—and can be verified across systems.

How to Apply for the ME-Card: Step-by-Step Process 

The ME-Card is issued only through the Udyam Registration Portal, managed by the Ministry of MSME. Here's exactly how to apply:

Step 1: Visit the Official Portal

Go to udyamregistration.gov.in.

This is the only official site. Ignore third-party agents or intermediaries.

Step 2: Choose ‘For New Entrepreneurs who are not Registered yet as MSME’

  • On the homepage, click the first option if you're registering for the first time.

  • This takes you to the Aadhaar-based registration page for individual proprietors.

Step 3: Enter Your Aadhaar Number and Name

  • Input your 12-digit Aadhaar number and your full name (as per Aadhaar).

  • Tick the declaration checkbox and click ‘Validate and Generate OTP’.

Note: Only proprietors can use Aadhaar directly. If you're a company, LLP, or partnership, you must register through a different flow (see next note below).

Step 4: Enter the OTP Sent to Your Registered Mobile

  • Enter the OTP received on your mobile number linked to Aadhaar.

  • Once verified, you’ll move to the application form.

Step 5: Fill in Enterprise Details

Here’s what you’ll need to fill in carefully:

Field 

What You Need to Enter 

PAN

Enter your PAN; it is mandatory for enterprises

Type of Organization

Choose from sole proprietorship, partnership, LLP, Pvt Ltd, etc.

Name of Enterprise

This is your business name – not your personal name

Address of Plant/Office

Location of your business operations

Mobile and Email

Active contacts for future communication

Bank Details

Account number and IFSC code for receiving government benefits

Date of Commencement

The day you started operations

Number of Employees

Separate count of male, female, and others

Investment and Turnover

Must be based on the latest ITR or self-declared if new

These numbers help determine if you qualify as a Micro, Small, or Medium enterprise.

Step 6: Select NIC Code(s) for Your Business Activity

  • You’ll be asked to select one or more NIC Codes (National Industrial Classification).

  • These represent your business sector — e.g., manufacturing of textiles, food products, IT services, etc.

  • Choose the most accurate code — search by keyword if needed.

Step 7: Final Declaration and Submission

  • Review all filled information carefully.

  • Tick the declaration confirming accuracy.

  • Click ‘Submit and Get Final OTP’.

Step 8: Enter Final OTP and Get Your Certificate

Enter the final OTP. Once validated, your Udyam Registration Certificate will be generated instantly in PDF format.

  • Your Udyam Certificate doubles as the ME-Card for Micro Enterprises.

  • It carries your Udyam Registration Number (URN), enterprise category (Micro), QR code, and other key identifiers.

  • You can download it any time by visiting the homepage and clicking ‘Print/Verify’ > ‘Print Udyam Certificate’.

You’ll need your URN + mobile number or Aadhaar to access it.

Conclusion 

The ME-Card is a focused solution for verified micro enterprises. It simplifies eligibility checks, reduces documentation, and speeds up access to government schemes, credit, and procurement opportunities.

If your business meets the micro enterprise criteria, applying for the ME-Card ensures you stay visible, verifiable, and ready to act across formal systems—without repeating the basics each time. Need help aligning your financials to qualify for schemes like the ME-Card—while preparing for long-term growth?

CFO Bridge offers virtual CFO services tailored for micro enterprises. Get expert guidance on compliance, funding readiness, and scalable financial systems—without hiring full-time CFO.

FAQs

You must update your status on the UDYAM portal. If turnover exceeds ₹5 crore or investment surpasses ₹1 crore, your enterprise will be reclassified and may no longer qualify as micro.

Yes. You can update details like turnover or investment figures annually through the UDYAM portal to keep your ME-Card status accurate.

Yes. The ME-Card is a national-level identification linked with central government databases, making it valid and recognized in all states.

Once a year. It’s recommended to update your ME-Card details annually to reflect changes in turnover or investment and ensure your enterprise classification stays accurate.

No. The UDYAM portal does not charge any fee to apply for or update your ME-Card details.

Ready to take your
finances to the next orbit?

Let's talk! Book your free consultation today

Get In Touch Blue arrow icon
Download The Brochure