MoFPI Invites Proposals for Multi-Product Food Irradiation Units Under PMKSY: Eligibility, Grant Pattern & How to Apply

January 15, 2026

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India has issued a Notice Inviting Proposals for financial assistance to set up multi-product food irradiation units under the component scheme “Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure” of PMKSY.
Applications are to be submitted online only on the SAMPADA portal—no physical submissions are accepted.
Last date & time to submit EOI online: 28.02.2026 (17:00 hrs).

Quick Highlights (EOI at a glance)

• Scheme focus: Setting up food irradiation units (standalone or integrated with cold chain/value addition).
• Mandatory condition: Proposals without a food irradiation component will not be considered under this scheme.
• Where to apply: Online only via SAMPADA portal.
• Processing fee: Demand Draft ₹20,000 (₹15,000 for SC/ST).
• Grant pattern: 35% (General Areas) / 50% (Difficult Areas and also for SC/ST, FPOs, SHGs) up to ₹10 crore per project (on eligible P&M and Technical Civil Works).
• Minimum land: 1.5 acres (standalone) / 3.5 acres (integrated).

What the Scheme Supports

The scheme’s objective is to support setting up food irradiation units for treating perishable agricultural produce (like fruits and vegetables) and other items, for hygienization and enhancing shelf life.

Eligible project types

You can propose either:

1. Standalone food irradiation unit, or
2. Food irradiation unit integrated with cold chain and value addition infrastructure (such as multi-chamber cold storage, Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage, ambient storage, grading/sorting, and reefer vans for storage/transport).

Important: The food irradiation facility is mandatory under this call—without it, the proposal isn’t considered for assistance.

Who Can Apply (Eligibility of entities)

Eligible entities include individuals and organizations such as FPOs, FPCs, SHGs, NGOs, PSUs, firms, companies, etc., who intend to establish standalone or integrated irradiation infrastructure.
Entities from the MSME sector are given priority in assessment.

Grant Pattern (Financial Assistance)

The scheme provides grant-in-aid based on area category and applicant category:

• 35% of eligible project cost for projects in General Areas
• 50% of eligible project cost for projects in Difficult Areas
• 50% also applies for projects of SC/ST, FPOs and SHGs

Maximum grant cap: Up to ₹10 crore per project, on the cost of Plant & Machinery (P&M) and Technical Civil Works (TCW).

Key Eligibility Conditions You Must Meet

MoFPI’s guidelines include these must-know conditions:

1. Net worth: Applicant’s combined net worth must be at least equal to the grant-in-aid sought.
2. Minimum term loan:
   • ≥ 20% of total project cost (General Areas)
   • ≥ 10% of total project cost (Difficult Areas and SC/ST/FPO/SHG proposals)
3. Bank Appraisal Note: A detailed Appraisal Note from a Scheduled Commercial Bank, specific to the proposal, is required.
4. Minimum land requirement: 1.5 acres (standalone) and 3.5 acres (integrated).
5. One application rule: Only one application will be accepted from an entity against an EOI under this scheme.
6. Not eligible: Expansion/upgradation of existing facilities is not eligible.

Ineligible Items (Examples)

Some items listed as ineligible for grant calculation include compound wall, roads, land/site development cost, administrative building, canteen, labour quarters, working capital/contingencies, transport vehicles, pre-operative expenses, service/carrying charges, office furniture/computers, CCTV/security systems, consultancy fee/taxes on plant & machinery, stationery, etc.

Processing Fee, Demand Draft & Bank Guarantee

Processing fee (Demand Draft)

• Non-refundable processing fee via DD: ₹20,000 (reduced to ₹15,000 for SC/ST).
• Upload a scanned copy of the DD with the online application.
• The original DD must reach MoFPI within one week after the last date of submission.

Bank Guarantee (after selection)

Selected applicants must submit a refundable bank guarantee of 5% of eligible grants-in-aid within 30 days of the approval letter, initially valid beyond scheduled completion (and extendable if delayed).

How Proposals Are Evaluated

• Applications are invited through EOI and filed online on the SAMPADA portal.
• MoFPI constitutes a Technical Committee (TC) and Project Approval Committee (PAC) for scrutiny/approval.
• Minimum qualifying marks: 60% (general); 45% (SC/ST).
• The evaluation framework in the guidelines includes parameters such as location/land status, economic viability (via bank appraisal), backward/forward linkages, renewable energy adoption, MSME status, and proposed investment in irradiation (and related components).

Implementation Timeline & Instalment Claim Schedule

Project completion timeline

• 24 months (General Areas) from approval letter date
• 30 months (Difficult Areas) from approval letter date

Instalment claim schedule (from approval letter date)

• 1st instalment: 8 months (General) / 10 months (Difficult)
• 2nd instalment: 16 months (General) / 20 months (Difficult)
• 3rd instalment: 24 months (General) / 30 months (Difficult)

The guidelines also provide for reduction in grant-in-aid in case of delays beyond stipulated timelines (as per the delay table).

Step-by-Step: How to Apply on SAMPADA (EOI Submission)

1. Confirm project type (Standalone vs Integrated) and ensure food irradiation is included (mandatory).
2. Prepare the required documents (DPR, bank appraisal note, land papers, financials, certificates, etc.).
3. Apply online on SAMPADA portal only (no physical submission).
4. Attach scanned DD for processing fee with the online application.
5. Send original DD to MoFPI so it reaches within one week after the last date.
6. Track evaluation by TC/PAC; be prepared for presentation/interaction if required under the appraisal process.
7. If approved, submit 5% bank guarantee within 30 days and follow implementation/claim milestones.

Documents/Attachments Required (Online Application)

The guidelines list key documents to be uploaded, including (indicative): DPR, statutory audit certificate, Chartered Engineer certificates, in-principle/term loan sanction, bank appraisal note, incorporation/registration documents, audited financial statements (last 2 years), land ownership/lease documents (with relevant conditions), proof of fee, quotations from OEM/suppliers, and (where applicable) agreements/MoU for irradiation source supply.

Need Help With Proposal & Submission?

If you’re planning to set up a multi-product food irradiation unit (standalone or integrated with cold chain/value addition), align your DPR and documentation to the scheme conditions, eligible components, and timelines, and ensure the online SAMPADA submission is completed before the deadline.

FAQs (From the EOI Notice & Scheme Guidelines)

1) What is the last date and time to submit the EOI online?

28.02.2026 (17:00 hrs).

2) Where do I submit the application?

Applications must be submitted online only on the SAMPADA portal.

3) Is physical submission allowed?

No. No physical submission (or submission through other means) is accepted.

4) Is the food irradiation component compulsory?

Yes. Any proposal without the food irradiation component will not be considered under this scheme.

5) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible entities include individuals, FPOs/FPCs, SHGs, NGOs, PSUs, firms, companies, etc.; MSME entities are given priority in assessment.

6) What is the grant pattern and maximum grant?

Grant-in-aid is 35% (General Areas) and 50% (Difficult Areas; also SC/ST/FPO/SHG), up to ₹10 crore per project, on eligible P&M and Technical Civil Works.

7) What are the minimum land requirements?

Minimum land area is 1.5 acres for standalone and 3.5 acres for integrated irradiation units.

8) Can I apply for expansion/upgradation of an existing facility?

No. Expansion/upgradation of existing facility(ies) is not eligible under the scheme.

9) How many applications can one entity submit?

Only one application will be accepted from an entity against an EOI under this scheme.

10) What processing fee is required and how do I pay it?

A non-refundable processing fee of ₹20,000 via Demand Draft (₹15,000 for SC/ST) is required; upload scanned DD with the online application.

11) When must the original Demand Draft be submitted?

The original DD should reach MoFPI within one week after the last date of submission.

12) Is a bank appraisal note mandatory?

Yes. A detailed Appraisal Note from a Scheduled Commercial Bank, specific to the proposal, is required.

13) Is term loan mandatory? If yes, how much?

Yes—term loan should be at least 20% (General Areas) or 10% (Difficult Areas and SC/ST/FPO/SHG proposals) of total project cost.

14) What is the net worth requirement?

Applicant’s combined net worth must be at least equal to the grant-in-aid sought.

15) What is the minimum qualifying score for selection?

A proposal must obtain at least 60% marks to be eligible; 45% for SC/ST applicants.

16) What is the implementation timeline?

Projects are to be completed within 24 months (General Areas) or 30 months (Difficult Areas) from the approval letter date.

17) When can instalments be claimed?

Claim schedule (from approval letter date): 8/10 months, 16/20 months, 24/30 months (General/Difficult respectively) for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd instalments.

18) Is a bank guarantee required after approval?

Yes. On selection, submit a refundable bank guarantee of 5% of eligible grant-in-aid within 30 days of approval letter.

19) Whom to contact for further details (as per notice)?

The notice provides the contact details of the undersigned officer for further information.

Disclaimer: This blog is drafted strictly using only the documents shared: the MoFPI Notice Inviting Proposals dated 26.12.2025, the PMKSY scheme guidelines dated 06.08.2024, and the provided draft blog file.