In a landmark step towards strengthening India’s entrepreneurial backbone, the Centre of Excellence for MSME was inaugurated on 20th August 2025 at the State Bank Academy (SBA), Gurugram. The initiative is designed to act as a hub for capacity building, policy research, industry collaboration, and innovation, aligning with the national vision of a self-reliant and globally competitive MSME sector.
The Centre was formally inaugurated by M Nagaraju, Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS), in the presence of C S Setty, Chairman, State Bank of India (SBI), along with other senior dignitaries from the banking and industry ecosystem.
Speaking on the occasion, Nagaraju emphasized that the MSME sector, contributing nearly 30% to India’s GDP and employing over 110 million people, requires structured knowledge support and forward-looking strategies. “This Centre of Excellence will be a catalyst for equipping MSMEs with the skills, insights, and networks they need to thrive in both domestic and global markets,” he said.
The inauguration also marked the opening of a two-day program on “Indian Startup Ecosystem: Challenges & Way Forward”. The event has brought together a diverse mix of stakeholders including representatives from DPIIT, FISME, SIDBI, startup founders, incubators, venture capitalists, peer banks, as well as faculty members from SBA. Deliberations are focused on scaling up the entrepreneurial ecosystem, improving access to finance, and enabling MSMEs and startups to better integrate with global supply chains.
The Centre of Excellence is expected to serve as a knowledge-sharing platform, offering not just policy insights but also practical solutions for entrepreneurs. It will work on research-driven modules, case studies, and collaborative initiatives that address challenges in financing, digital transformation, and innovation adoption.
SBI Chairman C S Setty highlighted the bank’s continued commitment to supporting entrepreneurs, stating, “For India to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, MSMEs must evolve into innovation-led enterprises. This Centre of Excellence is a step in that direction, bridging the gap between policy intent and on-ground execution.”
With its launch, the Centre reinforces India’s strategy of integrating MSMEs into the larger narrative of Digital India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and Make in India. It underlines the government’s belief that the path to a developed India is on large-scale industries and also on the strength of millions of small and medium enterprises, driving grassroots growth.
As India positions itself as a global economic leader, initiatives like the Centre of Excellence at SBA, Gurugram, ensure that innovation, capacity building, and inclusive growth remain at the heart of the MSME journey.
