Chamber of Indian Micro Small & Medium Enterprises

PSU Excellence
Awards 2026

Honouring Public Sector Undertakings that have set the standard in MSME & Startup procurement — timely payments, TReDS adoption, inclusive sourcing, and vendor development, in the year of assessment FY 2025–26.

TReDS Ready Timely Payment Inclusive Sourcing
Assessment YearFY 2025–26
Nomination Deadline31 August 2026
Jury ChairRetired Hon'ble Justice, Supreme Court of India
CeremonyGala Conference & Awards Night, New Delhi
Background

A decade of institutionalising excellence in the MSME ecosystem

CIMSME has long served as a strong voice of India's MSME and Startup sector, working to advance their interests and represent their concerns before policymakers and regulators. Public Sector Undertakings and Central Public Sector Enterprises, as large institutional buyers, occupy a pivotal position in the country's MSME and Startup procurement ecosystem.

Over the years, CIMSME has built a portfolio of flagship recognition platforms — the MSME Banking Excellence Awards, the MSEFC Excellence Awards, the MSME Ratna Awards, and the Atmanirbhar MSME and Startup Awards — each bringing together senior government leaders, regulators, financial institutions and industry stakeholders under a transparent, merit-based evaluation framework.

Building on more than a decade of experience curating premier national awards, CIMSME now presents the PSU Excellence Awards — a platform dedicated to honouring PSUs that demonstrate exemplary leadership, operational excellence, innovation, sustainability and unwavering commitment to the MSME and Startup sector.

"Recognising and showcasing the good work being done will motivate other PSUs to emulate best practices and further strengthen the MSME and Startup procurement ecosystem." Concept Note, CIMSME PSU Excellence Awards 2026

  • MSME Banking Excellence AwardsFor Banks & Financial Institutions advancing MSME financing
  • MSEFC Excellence AwardsFor Facilitation Councils driving dispute resolution
  • MSME Ratna AwardsFor MSMEs and entrepreneurs excelling in growth & innovation
  • Atmanirbhar MSME & Startup AwardsFor self-reliant, indigenous innovation

Eligible PSU Categories

Every tier of enterprise, assessed on its own footing

Each category below is evaluated separately across all award titles, ensuring fair comparison between institutions of similar scale and mandate.

01

Maharatna

India's largest and most autonomous CPSEs

02

Navratna

High-performing CPSEs with enhanced financial powers

03

Miniratna — Category I

Profitable CPSEs with substantial autonomy

04

Miniratna — Category II

Profitable CPSEs with defined operational powers

05

Other CPSE

Central Public Sector Enterprises outside Ratna classification

06

State PSU

State-owned public sector enterprises

07

Other

To be specified by the nominating enterprise at submission


The Awards

Eight titles, one standard of excellence

Within each PSU category listed above, enterprises are considered across the following award titles.

Best Enterprise for Overall MSME Procurement Performance

Flagship Recognition

Most TReDS-Compliant Enterprise

Category-wise Recognition

Best Enterprise for Timely Payment to MSME & Startup Vendors

Category-wise Recognition

Best Enterprise for Inclusive Procurement (Women & SC/ST Entrepreneurs)

Category-wise Recognition

Best Enterprise for Vendor Development Initiative

Category-wise Recognition

Best Enterprise for CSR Initiative — Upskilling/Reskilling of MSME Vendors

Category-wise Recognition

Best Enterprise for Extending Support to MSME Clusters

Category-wise Recognition

Best Enterprise for Supporting DPIIT-Recognized Startups

Category-wise Recognition


Evaluation Parameters

What the assessment weighs

Performance is scored against self-declared data for FY 2025–26, spanning payment discipline, statutory compliance, digital adoption and ecosystem support.

  • Average time taken for clearing payments due to MSME vendors
  • Average time taken for clearing payments due to Startup vendors
  • Compliance with the mandatory 25% annual procurement target from MSEs
  • Achievement of sub-targets for women-owned and SC/ST-owned MSEs
  • Volume and value of bills processed/cleared through TReDS platforms
  • Readiness and preparedness to implement new TReDS guidelines
  • Vendor Development Programs organised, and outreach achieved
  • MoUs with chambers for vendor development, GeM & TReDS on-boarding
  • CSR & budgetary support for upskilling and literacy of vendors
  • Grievance redressal mechanism available for MSME vendors
  • Adoption of GeM and digital/technology interventions
  • Support extended to MSME clusters and DPIIT-recognized Startups

Methodology

A structured, seven-step path to selection

1

Scrutiny of application

Every Application cum Nomination form is checked for completeness and validity.

2

Evaluation by Knowledge Partner

An independent institution assesses the submission against the published parameters.

3

Nodal Officer discussion

Clarifications are sought directly from the PSU's Nodal Officer where needed.

4

Shortlisting

PSUs are shortlisted on the strength of the evaluation outcome.

5

Reporting to the Jury

Shortlisted PSUs, with full details and evaluation, are reported to the Jury.

6

Jury assessment

An independent, eminent Jury — chaired by a retired Supreme Court Justice — conducts a structured, impartial review.

7

Final clarifications & decision

Where required, shortlisted nominees may be asked for further information before the Jury's final decision.


Governance

Independent by design

Knowledge Partner

CIMSME engages an Independent Knowledge Partner — such as SIDBI, CARE Ratings, or another reputed institution — to conduct a fair, transparent and objective evaluation of every nomination, ensuring credibility and impartiality throughout the process.

Jury Composition

The Jury is chaired by a retired Hon'ble Justice of the Supreme Court of India and comprises eminent persons from Government, alongside distinguished experts from across the MSME and PSU ecosystem.


Nomination & Fees

Submitting a nomination

Deadline · 31 August 2026

The nomination form may be completed in soft copy and emailed, with legible answers and clearly indicated supporting documents/attachments. Printed hard copies, with all additional required documents, should also be sent to CIMSME — the complete set of information may alternatively be submitted entirely by email.

Duly filled forms, along with applicable processing charges, should reach CIMSME by the deadline above.

₹2,00,000

Plus applicable GST · payable with the nomination form

Payment details

Cheque / Demand Draft favouring "Chamber of Indian Micro Small & Medium Enterprises", or via RTGS/NEFT:

Account No.10208916886
Account NameChamber of Indian Micro Small & Medium Enterprises
Bank / BranchIDFC First Bank, Barakhamba Road, Connaught Place, New Delhi–110001
IFSC CodeIDFB0020101
Nodal Officer

Mr. Shikhar Saxena

Deputy Secretary General, CIMSME

For queries on eligibility, documentation or the nomination process, reach out directly using the details alongside.

Mobile
+91 95828 24941
Phone
+91 11 23722345–48
Address
1106, New Delhi House, Barakhamba Road, Connaught Place, New Delhi – 110001