The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has released guidelines for the Corporate Mitra Scheme to create a pool of trained and certified paraprofessionals who can support MSMEs in regulatory and professional compliance requirements.
The scheme aims to strengthen compliance support for MSMEs by providing structured training, certification and on-the-job exposure to eligible candidates.
1. Objective of the Corporate Mitra Scheme
The primary objective of the Corporate Mitra Scheme is to build a skilled and accredited pool of paraprofessionals who can assist MSMEs in areas such as:
- Regulatory compliance;
- GST compliance;
- Accounting;
- Cost accounting;
- Secretarial services; and
- Corporate governance.
The scheme also seeks to enhance ease of doing business for MSMEs through structured professional guidance.
2. Focus on Ease of Doing Business for MSMEs
MSMEs often require support in managing routine compliance and professional service requirements.
The Corporate Mitra Scheme is intended to provide MSMEs access to trained paraprofessionals who can assist them in understanding and meeting their compliance obligations in a more organised manner.
3. Employment Generation Through Skill Development
The scheme is also aimed at generating employment opportunities by training candidates in practical compliance-related areas.
By combining academic learning with on-the-job training, the scheme seeks to improve employability and create a structured pathway for candidates to enter the professional services ecosystem.
4. Standardised Training and Certification
The scheme proposes standardised course content, training and certification to ensure quality and trust in professional advisory support.
This will help create a recognised category of trained paraprofessionals who can work with MSMEs and professional firms.
5. Implementation Through Swayam Plus Portal
The Corporate Mitra Scheme will be implemented through the Swayam Plus Portal.
Information about the scheme will be available on the websites of:
- MCA;
- ICAI;
- ICSI;
- ICoAI; and
- Swayam Plus.
Candidates interested in enrolling in the Corporate Mitra course will be redirected to the Swayam Plus Portal for registration.
6. Collaboration with Professional Institutes
The scheme will be implemented in collaboration with the three professional institutes:
- Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI);
- Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI); and
- Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICoAI).
These institutes will play an important role in training, recognition of professional firms and ensuring quality standards under the scheme.
7. Registration Process for Candidates
Eligible candidates must register on the Swayam Plus Portal.
As part of the registration process, candidates will be required to:
- Upload the prescribed documents;
- Pay the applicable fees; and
- Complete the required registration formalities.
After successful registration, selected candidates will get access to the online academic course.
8. Academic Training of 150 Hours
The scheme provides for 150 hours of academic learning through an online asynchronous course.
The self-paced format will allow candidates to complete the academic training as per the prescribed structure before moving to the on-the-job training phase.
9. Six Months of Academic Training and Six Months of On-the-Job Training
The Corporate Mitra Scheme comprises:
- 6 months of academic training; and
- 6 months of on-the-job training with professional firms or companies.
This structure is intended to provide both theoretical understanding and practical exposure to compliance-related work.
10. Selection of On-the-Job Training Firm
After completing academic learning, candidates can select an on-the-job training firm or company based on their preferences.
Selection may be based on factors such as:
- Location or city;
- Candidate’s qualifications; and
- Availability of recognised training firms.
The list of eligible firms will be displayed on the Swayam Plus Portal.
11. Recognised Professional Firms and LLPs
Candidates may select any professional firm or LLP recognised as a “member in practice” by ICAI, ICSI or ICoAI for on-the-job training.
This ensures that candidates receive practical exposure under recognised professional supervision.
12. Initial Intake of 2,000 Candidates
For the first round of the Corporate Mitra Scheme, 2,000 eligible applicants will be enrolled on a first-come, first-served basis.
This includes 200 eligible applicants from the North East Region, ensuring regional representation in the scheme.
13. Stipend During On-the-Job Training
A minimum prescribed stipend will be paid by the professional firms or LLPs offering on-the-job training.
The stipend will be as per the applicable norms of ICAI, ICSI or ICoAI.
14. Digital Query Resolution System
A digital system will be integrated into the portal to allow candidates and firms to submit queries.
The system will include features such as:
- Real-time tracking;
- Status updates; and
- Timely resolution of queries.
This is intended to ensure transparency and smooth implementation of the scheme.
15. Awareness and Capacity-Building Initiatives
MCA and the professional institutes will undertake communication, advocacy and capacity-building initiatives to promote the Corporate Mitra Scheme.
These initiatives will help raise awareness about the scheme and highlight its benefits for candidates, MSMEs and professional firms.
16. Availability of Support Materials
To facilitate participation, the following materials will be made available on the MCA Swayam Plus Portal and through the professional institutes:
- FAQs;
- User manuals;
- Instructional videos; and
- Informational materials.
These resources will help candidates and industry participants understand the registration process, training structure and benefits of the scheme.
17. Expected Impact
The Corporate Mitra Scheme is expected to strengthen the MSME compliance ecosystem by creating a trained pool of paraprofessionals. It will also help professional firms expand their support capacity while generating employment opportunities for candidates seeking careers in compliance, accounting and governance services.
18. Key Takeaway
MCA has released guidelines for the Corporate Mitra Scheme to train and certify paraprofessionals for supporting MSMEs in areas such as regulatory compliance, GST, accounting, cost accounting, secretarial services and corporate governance. The scheme will be implemented through the Swayam Plus Portal in collaboration with ICAI, ICSI and ICoAI, and will include academic training, on-the-job training, certification, stipend support and digital query resolution mechanisms.
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