The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has given comprehensive guidelines about the recently introduced Corporate Mitra Scheme.
The scheme was rolled out in the Union Budget 2026-27 to create a network of trained paraprofessionals all across the country who can support MSMEs in managing regulatory compliance, accounting, taxation, financial guidance and governance-related requirements.
The initiative aims to fill the gap between professional advisory services and small businesses by developing a skilled workforce of “Corporate Mitras” who can furnish affordable and accessible assistance to companies, especially in Tier-II and Tier-III cities.
Corporate Mitra Scheme
The Corporate Mitra Scheme is a 12-month skill development and employment-oriented programme that is developed to prepare young graduates for professional roles supporting MSMEs. This programme includes structured academic learning with practical workplace exposure.
In this scheme, the selected candidates shall undergo
- The programme includes six months of online academic training, comprising approximately 150 hours of structured learning.
- The programme offers six months of practical training with professional firms, helping participants gain industry knowledge and develop job-ready skills.
The government trusts that MSMEs have a major role in India’s economic growth, employment generation and entrepreneurial ecosystem. The motive of the scheme through Corporate Mitras is to make professional services more accessible to small businesses while simultaneously creating employment opportunities for young graduates.
Objectives of the Corporate Mitra Scheme
The Corporate Mitra Scheme has been developed with various objectives:
- Create a Pool of Accredited Paraprofessionals for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)
- Enhance business efficiency through professional guidance and expert support.
- Improve business support in key areas such as GST compliance, secretarial services, accounting, and corporate governance.
- Develop industry-ready professionals with enhanced employability and stronger career prospects.
- Standardise training and certification to ensure quality, consistency, and trust.
Eligibility for the Corporate Mitra Scheme
Desired candidates for the programme should fulfil the below-mentioned norms-
Age Limit
The age of the applicants should be up to 30 years on the application submission date.
Nationality
Only Indian nationals are eligible
Educational Qualification
Applicants must be either:
- Graduates from a recognised university are eligible to apply.
- Students currently pursuing the final year of their graduation are eligible to apply.
Final-year students can register in the programme; however, the Corporate Mitra Certificate will be issued only after successful completion of their graduation.
Course Structure and Programme Duration
The duration of the programme is 12 months and is categorised into two phases.
Academic Training (6 Months)
The academic component consists of:
- The programme consists of 144 hours of structured online learning.
- The programme includes 6 hours of webinars or physical learning sessions.
The SWAYAM Plus platform will deliver the content of the course in both English and Hindi.
Six Months of On-the-Job Practical Training
After the academic phase, candidates shall undergo practical training with professional firms. They will get real-world experience in compliance, accounting, and advisory functions.
Fee Structure for the Corporate Mitra Scheme
The registration fee for the programme is:
- ₹3,000 plus applicable GST.
This fee includes:
- Academic learning access.
- First assessment attempt.
- Certification charges.
Candidates appearing again for the assessment should pay:
- ₹1,000 plus applicable GST per additional attempt.
Who Is Eligible for the 50% Fee Concession?
To draw more participation, the government has declared a 50% fee concession for:
- Women candidates.
- Candidates from North Eastern States, including Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Mizoram, and Nagaland.
- The scheme also covers candidates from the Himalayan regions, such as Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Ladakh.
- Candidates from the Union Territories of Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
How Does the Assessment and Certification Process Work?
Candidate evaluation shall be performed with the use of the below-mentioned weightage structure-
| Component | Weightage |
|---|---|
| Module-wise Assessments | 10% |
| Final Academic Assessment | 50% |
| On-the-Job Training Assessment | 40% |
To be eligible for certification, candidates should-
- Candidates Must Secure at least 50% Overall Marks
- Complete the On-the-Job Training component.
When these requirements are met, participants will receive the official Corporate Mitra Certificate, which authorises them to serve as Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) compliance facilitators.
Who Is Responsible for Implementing the Scheme?
Three professional institutes will implement the scheme jointly by:
- The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)
- The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI)
- The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI)
Through the SWAYAM Plus portal, the complete programme will be managed, serving as the central platform for registration, learning, assessments, and training management.
Guide to the Registration and Selection Process
Eligible candidates must:
- Register through the SWAYAM Plus website.
- List of Documents Required for Upload
- Applicants are required to pay the prescribed registration fee.
- Complete the online academic course.
Candidates, after completing the learning modules, can choose professional firms or companies for on-the-job training based on location and qualifications.
Concerning the first phase, the scheme will consider 2000 participants on a first-come, first-served basis, along with 200 candidates from the North Eastern Region.
Compensation During On-the-Job Training
Candidates who are selected for practical training will get a stipend from participating professional firms or LLPs. The stipend will be paid as per the provisions of the ICAI, ICSI, and ICMAI.
Training opportunities will be available with recognised professional firms and LLPs whose information will be listed on the SWAYAM Plus portal.
Framework for Governance and Monitoring
To ensure seamless execution, the MCA has established-
Steering Committee
A high-level committee, which includes representatives from MCA, relevant ministries, and the three professional institutes, will manage:
- Scheme design.
- Implementation.
- Operational management.
- Policy modifications.
Coordination Committee
A dedicated coordination committee, which includes ICAI, ICSI, and ICMAI, will track course development, training progress, and operational issues while streamlining on-the-job training opportunities.
Read Also: MCA Companies Compliance Facilitation Scheme 2026
Significance of the Corporate Mitra Scheme
The Corporate Mitra Scheme is a measure to make India’s MSME ecosystem stronger by developing a new class of trained compliance and business support professionals.
The initiative of merging affordable professional assistance for businesses with practical employment opportunities for graduates seeks to address two crucial challenges simultaneously: ease of doing business for MSMEs and employability for young professionals.
The scheme aims to enhance access to quality advisory services for small businesses by targeting Tier-II and Tier-III cities. It includes fee concessions for underrepresented regions and promotes collaboration among India’s leading professional organisations. This initiative is also expected to create new career opportunities for graduates throughout the country.
Read more about the Corporate Mitra Scheme Guidelines
