MSMEs look for finance and compliance relief in Budget 2026

Mumbai: India’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) approach the Union Budget 2026 with a clear set of expectations shaped by both longstanding challenges and new opportunities. Deloitte’s pre-budget report emphasises the sector’s central role in the economy – contributing nearly 30 per cent to gross domestic product (GDP), over 35 per cent to manufacturing output and 45 per cent to exports, while employing more than 100 million people. Despite this scale, MSMEs continue to face barriers in finance, compliance and competitiveness, leaving them vulnerable to global volatility and domestic constraints.

The report identifies three priority areas for intervention. The first is strengthening capacity at the last mile. Many enterprises struggle with digital bookkeeping, accounting methods and compliance with domestic quality standards such as those of the Bureau of Indian Standards and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. Deloitte recommends structured training in these areas, alongside support for participation in government competitiveness programmes such as Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance, Zero Defect Zero Effect and LEAN. Wider adoption of platforms like the Trade Receivables Discounting System, Government e-Marketplace and the Open Network for Digital Commerce is also seen as critical. The measurable outcome would be faster order-to-cash cycles, improved product quality and greater formalisation across the sector.

The second priority is expanding access to finance. Despite repeated reforms, credit remains constrained by stringent know-your-customer norms and reliance on collateral-based lending. Deloitte proposes a ‘green channel’ for compliant MSMEs, offering faster turnaround times and reduced documentation. It also calls for a dedicated liquidity and growth fund, channelled through non-banking financial companies and fintechs, with district-level monitoring. Cash flow-based lending, using GST and e-invoice data, is another recommendation, aimed at improving working capital velocity and reducing dependence on informal credit. The expected impact would be more first-time formal borrowers, improved profitability and lower financing costs.

The third priority is enabling scale. More than 90 per cent of MSMEs remain microenterprises, limiting productivity and visibility. Deloitte suggests district-level transformation cells to monitor growth from micro to small to medium, supported by mentor–mentee networks linking large public sector undertakings and anchor firms with their suppliers. Incentives for membership in industry associations and preferential scoring in public procurement for certified vendors could accelerate this process. The goal is higher integration into domestic and global value chains, measured by increased business-to-business sales, export participation and repeat orders.

Beyond these immediate asks, Deloitte outlines policy recommendations to operationalise cash flow lending and resolution mechanisms. These include simplified restructuring for viable MSMEs under stress, receivables discounting with legal enforceability and alignment with insolvency thresholds. District-level competitiveness missions, outcome-based grants and public scorecards are proposed to ensure accountability. Preferential procurement incentives for certified vendors and independent evaluations every 12 months would reinforce delivery fidelity. The rationale is straightforward: MSMEs remain central to India’s economic ambitions, but their growth is constrained by structural gaps. Addressing these through targeted training, easier finance and pathways to scale would not only strengthen enterprises but also safeguard jobs, boost rural incomes and support India’s aspiration to become a global manufacturing hub.

The backdrop to these expectations is last year’s budget, which delivered a substantial enhancement of credit support. The credit guarantee cover for micro and small enterprises was doubled from ₹5 crore to ₹10 crore, with the potential to add ₹1.5 trillion in credit over five years. Support for start-ups was also expanded, with maximum loan amounts raised from ₹10 crore to ₹20 crore. A new Fund of Funds worth ₹10,000 crore was announced, alongside a targeted loan programme for 500,000 first-time entrepreneurs from under-represented groups. Export-oriented MSMEs were offered guaranteed term loans up to ₹20 crore, while the Focus Product Scheme for footwear and leather was projected to create 2.2 million jobs. These measures were significant, but the sector continues to face uneven access to capital, complex compliance requirements and difficulties in scaling sustainably.

Global trade volatility adds another layer of uncertainty. With tariffs and supply chain disruptions becoming more frequent, Deloitte proposes a Trade Resilience Fund for MSMEs vulnerable to export shocks. Industries such as readymade garments, gems and jewellery, and leather are particularly exposed. Short-term financial or credit support could help these businesses weather sudden changes in global markets, protecting jobs and sustaining export earnings. The report also notes that MSMEs contribute nearly half of India’s exports, making resilience in this sector critical to the country’s broader trade ambitions.

As the government prepares to present the Union Budget 2026, MSMEs will be watching closely to see whether these recommendations are adopted. For a sector that underpins employment, exports and manufacturing, the stakes are high. Relief in compliance, access to finance and support for scaling could determine whether India’s millions of small businesses remain resilient in the face of global volatility or continue to struggle with familiar constraints.