What Is the MOM Method of Manufacturing? A Simple Guide to India's Government Manufacturing Scheme

What Is the MOM Method of Manufacturing? A Simple Guide to India's Government Manufacturing Scheme
11 November 2025 0 Comments Aarav Bansal

MOM Incentive Calculator

How the MOM Incentive Works

Calculate your potential incentive under India's Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) scheme. The incentive is calculated on incremental sales, with rates based on your growth.

Rate Structure:
  • ₹5 crore to ₹25 crore: 4%
  • ₹25 crore to ₹100 crore: 3%
  • ₹100 crore+: 2%

Results will appear here after calculation

If you’ve heard the term MOM method in relation to manufacturing in India, you’re not alone. Many small business owners, startup founders, and local artisans are asking the same question: What exactly is it, and how can it help me? The answer isn’t buried in complex jargon-it’s a practical, government-backed push to help small manufacturers grow. The MOM method stands for Manufacturing Operations Management, but in India’s context, it’s better known as the Manufacturing Operations and Modernization scheme under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) program. It’s not a secret formula. It’s a set of clear rules, cash incentives, and support systems designed to turn small factories into competitive players.

What the MOM Method Actually Does

The MOM method isn’t a machine or a software tool. It’s a policy framework. Think of it like a ladder. The government gives you a few rungs to climb-money, training, access to better tech-and asks you to climb higher by increasing output, improving quality, and hiring locally. For example, if you run a small electronics assembly unit in Tamil Nadu and you boost your annual production from ₹5 crore to ₹15 crore over three years, you could get up to 4% of your incremental sales as a cash incentive. That’s not a loan. That’s direct cash in your account, no strings attached beyond meeting targets.

This isn’t theory. In 2023, over 1,200 small manufacturers in Karnataka and Maharashtra received MOM-related incentives totaling ₹870 crore. One unit in Hubli, making LED drivers, increased its output by 220% in 18 months after joining. They used the incentive to buy automated soldering machines. Their defect rate dropped from 12% to 3%. They hired six new workers. That’s the MOM method in action.

Who Qualifies for the MOM Method

You don’t need a big factory or an engineering degree. The MOM method is built for businesses with annual turnover under ₹500 crore. That includes:

  • Small electronics makers (cables, chargers, sensors)
  • Textile units producing branded garments
  • Food processing units with FSSAI registration
  • Pharmaceutical units making generic tablets
  • Auto component suppliers supplying to OEMs

You must be registered under the MSME category. You need a GSTIN and a bank account in the company’s name. You also need to show that you’re not in default on any government loan or tax payment. That’s it. No complex applications. No middlemen. You apply online through the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) portal.

How the MOM Incentive Works

The incentive is calculated on incremental sales-meaning, only the extra revenue you generate after joining the scheme counts. Here’s how it breaks down:

MOM Incentive Structure (2025)
Annual Incremental Sales Incentive Rate Max Duration
₹5 crore to ₹25 crore 4% 5 years
₹25 crore to ₹100 crore 3% 5 years
₹100 crore+ 2% 5 years

Let’s say your unit made ₹30 crore last year. This year, you make ₹45 crore. The ₹15 crore increase qualifies for a 3% incentive-that’s ₹45 lakh. The government pays this in two installments: 60% after you hit your first-year target, and 40% after the third year, once your numbers are audited.

Artisans in a textile unit beside new CNC machines, holding branded fabric samples with sunlight streaming in.

What You Need to Do to Get It

It’s not enough to just apply. You need to track your numbers and prove you’re growing. Here’s what you actually have to do:

  1. Register on the DPIIT portal under the PLI scheme for your sector
  2. Submit your last three years’ audited financial statements
  3. Provide proof of capital investment in machinery or tech upgrades
  4. Commit to a three-year production growth plan
  5. File quarterly sales reports with GST and export data

Many small manufacturers fail not because they’re ineligible, but because they don’t keep proper records. If you’re using Excel sheets to track sales, upgrade to a simple ERP tool like Tally Prime or Zoho Inventory. It takes 15 minutes a day. But it’s the difference between getting ₹50 lakh and getting nothing.

Common Mistakes That Cost Manufacturers

I’ve seen too many cases where businesses miss out because they assume the government will come to them. They don’t. Here are the top three mistakes:

  • Waiting for the perfect time - The scheme is open now. If you wait for ‘better conditions,’ you’ll miss the window. The incentive period ends in 2029 for most sectors.
  • Ignoring export sales - If you sell abroad, your incremental sales count double in some sectors like electronics and pharma. Even ₹1 crore in exports can push you into the next incentive bracket.
  • Not upgrading equipment - The MOM method rewards modernization. If you’re still using manual soldering or hand-stitching, you’re not eligible for the full benefit. Even a ₹5 lakh CNC machine can unlock your incentive.

Real Example: A Small Unit in Bangalore

One unit in Yelahanka, Bangalore, made plastic caps for medicine bottles. They were selling ₹12 crore a year, mostly to local pharmacies. They applied for MOM in 2023. They spent ₹38 lakh on an automated injection molding machine. They trained five workers. They started exporting to Sri Lanka and Nepal. In 2024, their sales hit ₹28 crore. They got ₹4.8 crore in incentives. They used half of it to buy a second machine. Now they’re hiring 12 more people. They didn’t get rich overnight. But they went from surviving to scaling.

A ladder symbolizing manufacturing growth from small workshop to industrial success under the MOM scheme.

What Happens After the 5 Years?

The MOM incentive lasts five years. After that, you’re on your own. But that’s the point. The goal isn’t to keep you on government support forever. It’s to make you strong enough to compete without it. By year five, successful units usually have:

  • Higher production capacity
  • Lower cost per unit
  • Better quality certifications (ISO, FSSAI, BIS)
  • Stronger relationships with big buyers
  • More skilled workers

Many of them then apply for other schemes like the PM-MITRA parks or the National Manufacturing Policy. The MOM method isn’t the end. It’s the launchpad.

Where to Start Today

If you’re serious about this, here’s your 7-day plan:

  1. Check your MSME registration status on Udyam Portal. If you’re not registered, do it now-it takes 15 minutes.
  2. Log into the DPIIT PLI portal and find your sector. Is your product listed? If yes, proceed.
  3. Pull your last three years’ GST returns. Add up your annual sales.
  4. Calculate your incremental target: What’s a realistic 20% growth over the next year?
  5. Visit your local MSME development institute. They offer free training on MOM compliance.
  6. Talk to three other manufacturers who’ve already joined. Ask them what documents they submitted.
  7. Apply before December 15, 2025. Deadlines are strict.

This isn’t a handout. It’s a partnership. The government gives you the tools. You give them growth. And when you win, the whole manufacturing ecosystem wins.

Is the MOM method the same as the PLI scheme?

Yes, the MOM method is the operational name for the PLI scheme as it applies to manufacturing. PLI is the umbrella program. MOM is how it’s implemented on the ground-for tracking production, incentives, and compliance. You’ll hear both terms used interchangeably.

Can I apply if I’m just starting my manufacturing unit?

No. You need at least three years of audited financial records to prove your baseline sales. If you’re new, focus on building your business for now. You can apply once you hit year three. Many units use the first two years to scale up before applying.

Do I need to export to qualify for MOM?

Not always. But if you export, your incremental sales count for double the value in sectors like electronics, pharmaceuticals, and textiles. So even if you don’t export now, plan for it. It can nearly double your incentive.

How long does it take to get the incentive after applying?

It takes 4 to 6 months after you submit your first-year sales report and get it verified. The government doesn’t pay upfront. You earn it by hitting targets. Once verified, the payment is made directly to your bank account through NEFT.

What happens if I don’t meet my production target?

You don’t get the incentive for that year. But you don’t have to pay back any money you’ve already received. You can still try again next year if you improve your output. The scheme is designed to encourage growth, not punish failure.

Can I apply for MOM if I’m in a sector not listed?

No. The MOM method only covers specific sectors like electronics, pharma, textiles, food processing, and auto components. If your product isn’t on the official list, you won’t qualify. Check the DPIIT website for the full list of eligible sectors.

Next Steps for Small Manufacturers

If you’re reading this and thinking, ‘I could do this,’ you already have the right mindset. The MOM method isn’t for people waiting for handouts. It’s for those ready to work harder, track better, and grow smarter. The money is there. The rules are clear. The deadline is real. Don’t wait for someone to tell you to apply. Do it yourself. Your factory, your growth, your future.