The definition of small scale industries has undergone changes over the years in terms of investment limits in the following manner:
- 1950 :
- Upto 5.0 lakh in Fixed Assets
- Less than 50/100 persons with or without manpower
- 1960 : Upto 5.0 lakh in Fixed Assets
- 1966 : Upto 7.5 lakh in Plant & Machinery
- 1975 : Upto 10 lakh in Plant & Machinery
- 1980 : Upto 20 lakh in Plant & Machinery
- 1985 : Upto 35 lakh in Plant & Machinery
- 1991 : Upto 60 lakh in Plant & Machinery
- 1997 : Upto 300 lakh in Plant & Machinery
- 1999 : Upto 100 lakh in Plant & Machinery*
- 2001 : Upto 100 lakh in Plant & Machinery*
* With effect from October 2001, the investment ceiling in Plant & Machinery in respect of 41 items covering two broad groups of Hosiery & Hand Tolls has been enhanced to Rs. 500 lakh.
Source: https://www.dcmsme.gov.in/publications/areports/ar2002-03/ssi-eng0203.pdf