The NIRVIK Scheme is also known as Niryat Rin Vikas Yojana. This scheme is implemented under the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC). The NIRVIK scheme leads to ease of lending of loans and enhances credit availability to small-scale exporters. It was announced by the Finance Minister during the Union Budget for 2020-2021 on February 1st, 2020. The scheme aims to boost the export segment of the Indian economy. 

NIRVIK Scheme is one of the most important topics for the UPSC IAS exam. It covers a significant part of the Government Schemes section in the General Studies Paper-2 Syllabus and current events of national importance in general studies paper -1 of the UPSC Prelims Syllabus.

This article will give details about the NIRVIK scheme from the perspective of the UPSC IAS examination. It will cover the scheme's features, need, working, and benefits. It will also cover various economic concepts involved.

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What is the NIRVIK Scheme?

The NIRVIK scheme has been launched to benefit small exporters. It protects small exporters against volatility in the markets by providing insurance benefits.

Launch

The Finance Minister of India announced the Niryat Rin Vikas Yojana (NIRVIK) scheme in the Union Budget 2020-21. It is also known as Export Credit Insurance Scheme (ECIS).

Controlling Ministries involved

According to the Finance Minister NIRVIK scheme is being prepared by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India introduced the scheme under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

About Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India

The central government set up ECGC to promote and support exports from the country. Since its inception in 1957, it has launched various credit insurance schemes.

It is essentially an export promotion organization that enhances the competitiveness of Indian exports. It provides credit insurance coverage for that purpose.

The government of India wholly owns it.

NIRVIK Scheme is one such scheme provided by the organization.

Objectives of the NIRVIK Scheme

• To enable exporters to expand their business, high insurance coverage is offered
• Reduction in the policy premium paid by small exporters
• Up to a 90% credit guarantee will be provided to exporters in case of loss.
• Simplification of claim procedures to make it easier for exporters to work (ease of doing business)
• Increasing the credit disbursement to small exporters

Ultimately, the nirvik scheme aims to increase the exports and export of products from India.

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Salient Features of the NIRVIK Scheme

Here are the salient features of the NIRVIK Scheme:

• The NIRVIK scheme was launched in 2020 by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• The scheme provides for a higher export credit limit for exporters. Exporters can avail of credit up to 20 times their annual turnover.
• Exporters can avail of export credit for a repayment period of up to 10 years compared to 5-7 years earlier. This enhances the viability of exports.
• The scheme provides for lower interest rates on export credits at rates linked to repo rates. This reduces costs for exporters.
• The scheme provides an online portal, 'NIRVIK,' for the provision of export credit. A dedicated portal for the resolution of exporters' issues is also launched.
• The scheme aims to ensure faster disbursement and settlement of export insurance claims.
• E-monitoring tools and a risk-based approach will reduce the compliance burden. It will also simplify documentation norms.
• The main aim is to reduce financing costs and transaction time for exporters to make Indian exports competitive globally.
• The scheme will particularly benefit MSMEs that face high costs and restricted access to formal export credit.

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Eligibility for NIRVIK Scheme

The eligibility criteria for availing support under the NIRVIK scheme are:

• The exporters must be registered with any of the Authorised Dealers Category- I banks.
• Only exporters with good track records/ creditworthiness shall be eligible under the scheme.
• Exporters without an established export track record will also be eligible. However, they should get credit rated and fulfill eligibility conditions.
• Under the scheme, both existing exporters and new exporters can avail of export credit facilities from banks.
• Eligible exporters can avail of export credit for pre-shipment activities. This includes purchasing raw materials, packing credit, etc. Post-shipment activities like export bill negotiation is also applicable.
• The export activity must involve physical exports and exports through the supply of services from India.
• All exporters registered with the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under any of the Export Promotion Councils are eligible under NIRVIK.
• Exporters associated with merchandise, agriculture, marine, or services sector can avail support under the scheme.
• Even MSME exporters who fulfill eligibility conditions will get higher export credit under the NIRVIK scheme.

Benefits of Niryat Rin Vikas Yojana

• The cost of insurance for exporters is reduced.
• It minimizes the risks of non-payment incentivizing exporters to export more.
• It reduces credit costs for exporters and ensures easy access to funds. It stabilizes the interest rates for export credit in the case of foreign and Indian rupee export credit at 8% and 4%, respectively.
• Due to features such as instant claim settlement, it ensures working capital or liquidity for exporters.
• This improves the competitiveness of Indian exporters in National and international markets.
• Ultimately the scheme reduces the cost for exporters, increases the risk-taking capability, and ensures more export production and exports.
• More exports are beneficial for the Indian economy as it leads to more employment as well as a reduction in the Current Account Deficit.

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Working of NIRVIK Scheme

Here is the working mechanism of the NIRVIK Scheme:

• Urban cooperative societies interested in availing of the NIRVIK scheme can apply to the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).
• NABARD will assess the eligibility of the urban cooperative society and its financial health.
• If the urban cooperative society is found eligible, NABARD will sanction the loan.
• The loan amount will be disbursed to the urban cooperative society in installments.
• The urban cooperative society will repay the loan amount to NABARD in installments. The repayment is made along with interest.
• The Government of India guarantees the NIRVIK scheme. The NABARD will not suffer any losses if the urban cooperative society defaults on the loan.

NIRVIK Scheme: Facts and Figures for UPSC

Various important facts about the scheme are tabulated below:

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Way forward

Indian exporters face multidimensional problems, including a turbulent global environment, the fallout of the COVID pandemic lockdowns, and lackluster credit growth in the Indian banking system.

The scheme assists the exporters in such an environment to take further risks and increase exports and export production in India.

Although the scheme's intent is good, the government also needs to focus on the problem of low credit growth in the banking industry. Solutions to that will not only help the Indian exporters but also satisfy the demand for loans in the Indian domestic market, ultimately leading to more production.

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Conclusion

The Nirvik scheme is an export credit insurance scheme launched to support small exporters in India. It provides various benefits, such as reduced premiums, increased insurance coverage, and simplification of processes for eligible beneficiaries.

It increases the risk-taking capability of exporters and the banks which give loans to the exporters. This can ultimately lead to an increase in export production which helps create more employment and contributes to India's economic development.

NIRVIK Scheme Previous Year Questions

• Account for the failure of the manufacturing sector to achieve the goal of labor-intensive exports rather than capital-intensive exports. Suggest measures for more labor-intensive rather than capital-intensive exports. (2017)
• There is a clear acknowledgment that Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are a tool for industrial development, manufacturing, and exports. Recognizing this potential, the whole instrumentality of SEZs requires augmentation. Discuss the issues plaguing the success of SEZs concerning taxation, governing laws, and administration. (2015)

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