The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has released detailed guidelines for the newly announced Corporate Mitra Scheme. Introduced in the Union Budget 2026-27, the scheme aims to create a nationwide network of trained paraprofessionals who can help MSMEs manage regulatory compliance, accounting, taxation, financial guidance and governance-related requirements.
The initiative seeks to bridge the gap between professional advisory services and small businesses by developing a skilled workforce of "Corporate Mitras" capable of providing affordable and accessible support to enterprises, particularly in Tier-II and Tier-III cities.
What is the Corporate Mitra Scheme?
The Corporate Mitra Scheme is a 12-month skill development and employment-oriented programme designed to prepare young graduates for professional roles supporting MSMEs. The programme combines structured academic learning with practical workplace exposure.
Under the scheme, selected candidates will undergo:
- Six months of online academic training comprising around 150 hours of learning.
- Six months of on-the-job training with professional firms.
The government believes that MSMEs are central to India's economic growth, employment generation and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through Corporate Mitras, the scheme aims to make professional services more accessible to small businesses while simultaneously creating employment opportunities for young graduates.
Key Objectives of the Scheme
The Corporate Mitra Scheme has been designed with multiple objectives:
- Build a pool of accredited paraprofessionals for MSMEs.
- Improve ease of doing business through professional guidance.
- Enhance compliance support in areas such as GST, accounting, secretarial services and corporate governance.
- Create industry-ready professionals with better employment prospects.
- Standardize training and certification to ensure quality and trust.
Corporate Mitra Scheme Eligibility Criteria
Candidates interested in joining the programme must satisfy the following conditions:
Age Limit
Applicants must be up to 30 years of age on the date of application submission.
Nationality
Only Indian nationals are eligible.
Educational Qualification
Applicants must be either:
- Graduates from a recognized university, or
- Students currently pursuing the final year of graduation.
Final-year students can enroll in the programme; however, the Corporate Mitra Certificate will be issued only after successful completion of their graduation.
Duration and Course Structure
The programme spans 12 months and is divided into two phases:
Academic Training (6 Months)
The academic component includes:
- 144 hours of online structured learning.
- 6 hours of webinars or physical learning sessions.
The course content will be delivered through the SWAYAM Plus platform in both English and Hindi.
On-the-Job Training (6 Months)
Following the academic phase, candidates will undergo practical training with professional firms, gaining real-world exposure to compliance, accounting and advisory functions.
Corporate Mitra Scheme Fee Structure
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 will need to pay:
- ₹1,000 plus applicable GST per additional attempt.
50% Fee Concession Available for These Candidates
To encourage wider participation, the government has announced a 50% fee concession for:
- Women candidates.
- Candidates from North Eastern States including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
- Candidates from Himalayan regions including Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
- Candidates from Union Territories of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
Assessment and Certification Process
Candidate evaluation will be conducted using the following weightage structure:
| Component | Weightage |
|---|---|
| Module-wise Assessments | 10% |
| Final Academic Assessment | 50% |
| On-the-Job Training Assessment | 40% |
To qualify for certification, candidates must:
- Secure at least 50% marks overall.
- Successfully complete the on-the-job training component.
Upon meeting these requirements, participants will receive the official Corporate Mitra Certificate, enabling them to function as MSME compliance facilitators.
Who Will Implement the Scheme?
The scheme will be implemented jointly by three professional institutes:
- The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)
- The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI)
- The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI)
The entire programme will be administered through the SWAYAM Plus portal, which will act as the central platform for registration, learning, assessments and training management.
Registration and Selection Process
Eligible candidates will be required to:
- Register through the SWAYAM Plus portal.
- Upload the required documents.
- Pay the prescribed registration fee.
- Complete the online academic course.
After finishing the learning modules, candidates can select professional firms or companies for on-the-job training based on location and qualifications.
For the first phase, the scheme will admit 2,000 participants on a first-come, first-served basis, including 200 candidates from the North Eastern Region.
Stipend During On-the-Job Training
Candidates selected for practical training will receive a stipend from participating professional firms or LLPs. The stipend will be paid according to the norms prescribed by ICAI, ICSI and ICMAI.
Training opportunities will be available with recognized professional firms and LLPs whose details will be listed on the SWAYAM Plus portal.
Governance and Monitoring Framework
To ensure smooth implementation, the MCA has established:
Steering Committee
A high-level committee comprising representatives from MCA, relevant ministries and the three professional institutes will oversee:
- Scheme design.
- Implementation.
- Operational management.
- Policy modifications.
Coordination Committee
A dedicated coordination committee involving ICAI, ICSI and ICMAI will monitor course development, training progress and operational issues while facilitating on-the-job training opportunities.
Why the Corporate Mitra Scheme Matters
The Corporate Mitra Scheme represents a major effort to strengthen India's MSME ecosystem by creating a new class of trained compliance and business support professionals. By combining affordable professional assistance for businesses with practical employment opportunities for graduates, the initiative seeks to address two important challenges simultaneously - ease of doing business for MSMEs and employability for young professionals.
With its focus on Tier-II and Tier-III cities, fee concessions for underrepresented regions and collaboration among India's leading professional bodies, the scheme is expected to significantly expand access to quality advisory services for small businesses while creating a new career pathway for graduates across the country.
Click here to view/download the official copy of the guidelines released by MCA
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