NSIC Celebrates 70th Foundation Day, Reaffirms Commitment to Atmanirbhar Bharat

The National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) celebrated its 70th Foundation Day in September 2025 with renewed commitment to strengthening India’s micro, small and medium enterprises. The event, inaugurated by Union Minister for MSME Jitan Ram Manjhi, brought together senior government officials, industry leaders, NSIC’s leadership team, and MSME entrepreneurs from across the country. Among the distinguished guests were V. Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India, who delivered the Foundation Day Lecture, S. S. Acharya, Chairman and Managing Director of NSIC, along with S.C.L. Das (Secretary, MSME), Rajneesh (Additional Secretary & Development Commissioner, MSME), and Mercy Epao (Joint Secretary, MSME). The event also witnessed participation from NITI Aayog representatives, directors of NSIC, industry associations, and a vibrant community of entrepreneurs.

The discussions highlighted the crucial role NSIC continues to play in empowering MSMEs and aligning their growth with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Minister Manjhi emphasised that while NSIC has several schemes and services designed to support small businesses, there remains a pressing need to enhance awareness so that more entrepreneurs can benefit from them. He underlined the importance of expanding NSIC’s outreach and ensuring that schemes reach the grassroots level.

In his keynote address, S. S. Acharya reiterated NSIC’s mission of strengthening the competitiveness and resilience of MSMEs through technology support, financial facilitation, and global market access. He stressed that NSIC will continue to be a trusted partner for entrepreneurs as India’s MSME sector evolves into a global growth engine.

The Foundation Day Lecture delivered by V. Anantha Nageswaran offered valuable insights into the macro-economic landscape, the challenges posed by shifting global trade dynamics, and the opportunities that lie ahead for India. He highlighted how MSMEs, backed by strong policy support and entrepreneurial spirit, can emerge as drivers of sustainable growth in the current economic environment.

Speakers across the event also focused on the urgent need for digital adoption, skill development, and capacity building in the MSME sector. They pointed out that technology integration and effective handholding for smaller enterprises would be crucial in enabling them to scale up, access finance more easily, and compete on a global stage.

As NSIC steps into its 71st year, the Foundation Day celebration was not only a reflection of its seven-decade legacy but also a reaffirmation of its future roadmap. The corporation pledged to expand its digital initiatives, build stronger partnerships, and provide enhanced support for innovation and exports. The event concluded with a collective vision of ensuring that India’s MSMEs continue to stand as the backbone of the nation’s economy, contributing significantly to GDP growth, employment generation, and the larger mission of building a self-reliant India.