The Government monitors growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country by conducting All India Census of the sector, periodically. The latest Census (Fourth Census) was conducted with reference year 2006-07, wherein the data was collected till 2009 and results published in 2011-12. As per Third All India Census of Small Scale Industries (SSIs) with reference year 2001-02 and Fourth All India Census of MSMEs 2006-2007 and data extracted from Economic Census 2005 conducted by Central Statistics Office, Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation for activities excluded from Fourth All India Census of MSMEs employment in MSMEs increased from 249.33 lakhs to 805.24 lakhs during the period 2001-02 till 2006-07. The number of MSMEs increased from 105.21 lakhs to 361.76 lakhs during this period. Per unit employment for registered units increased from 4.48 to 5.95 during the period. MSME Sector has shown steady growth over the last decade.
According to the results of the Fourth census for MSMEs, about 95 % of registered MSMEs are micro enterprises while about 99.5% of unregistered MSMEs are micro enterprises.
This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Shri K. H. Muniyappa in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.