§1What this business is
A small centre with networked computers, a scanner and an internet connection sells browsing time and does desktop publishing (DTP), data processing, typing, online applications and basic computer training. Customers are students, job seekers and local people who have no computer or printer at home.
Capacity: KVIC profile: projected sales ₹12.80 L a year at full capacity.
§2Is it right for you?
Who it is for
A computer-literate person near a school, college, court or government office.
Who it is not for
Someone in a low-footfall location or who cannot keep up with technology.
Advantages
- Low start-up cost and quick returns (as the profile says)
- Steady work from online forms, printing and exams
- Can add training and data-entry jobs
- Little stock to hold
Drawbacks
- Most people now use smartphones for browsing
- Equipment goes out of date quickly
- Income depends on location and footfall
- Cyber-café rules require ID checks and logs
Skills you need
- Computer and printer troubleshooting
- DTP and online forms
- Customer service
- Record keeping for cyber-café rules
Why difficulty 2/5: Easy to open; staying relevant needs services beyond browsing.
§3Market
Who buys
- Students and job seekers
- People filling government and exam forms online
- Small shops and offices needing DTP and printing
How it sells
- Walk-in customers
- Tie-ups with schools and coaching centres
Good to know
- The profile lists e-mail, browsing, e-commerce, DTP, data processing and training as services.
§4Raw material & machinery
| Item | Qty | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Computers with monitors, keyboards, mice and preloaded software, networking parts, cables, modem and internet connection, scanner | 1 set | ₹3,08,000 |
From: KVIC Project Profile — Multipurpose Computer Centre / Cyber Café (PMEGP)
- Paper, ink and consumablesraw material ₹2,40,000 and labels/packing ₹40,000 a year in the KVIC profile
From: KVIC Project Profile — Multipurpose Computer Centre / Cyber Café (PMEGP)
Suppliers in Building Business Bazaar
Alfa Electricals Co. Ltd · Cuttack →Apcon Computer · Chennai →Blaze Communication Pvt. Ltd · Bhubaneswar →Blue Bird · Rourkela →Emm Kay Papers Pvt. Ltd · Bhubaneswar →Impact Telecom and Electrical · Cuttack →Manisha Engineering · Bhubaneswar →Medura Computers · Mumbai →Paper Palace · Cuttack →Voltage · Kolkata →Wipro Ltd · Bhubaneswar →Zenith Computers · Mumbai →
§5Licences & registration
- Udyam
- GST (if turnover crosses the limit)
- Shop and establishment registration
- Cyber café registration and user log-keeping under the IT (Guidelines for Cyber Cafe) Rules, 2011
§6Schemes & subsidies
- PMEGPCentralActive15–35% subsidy
- MudraCentralActiveLoan up to ₹20 lakh, no collateral
- CGTMSECentralActiveNo collateral, up to ₹10 crore
PMEGP (this is a KVIC/PMEGP profile), MUDRA and CGTMSE fit.
§7Money
How the investment is worked out: KVIC profile: total ₹5,36,000 = equipment ₹3,08,000 (computers, networking, other hardware and cards, cables, modem and internet connection, scanner) + working capital ₹2,28,000. Land own; work shed rented (no cost shown).
Working capital: Working capital ₹2,28,000 in the profile — paper, ink, internet bills, wages and rent until income builds up.
Year not printed on the KVIC profile. Its equipment list (Pentium IV computers, 56 kbps modem, Windows 2000/XP) shows it is very old — computer and internet costs are very different now.
§8Export potential
A local service business; it has no goods to export.
§9Risks — where people fail
- Falling demand for plain browsing
- Hardware breakdowns
- Misuse of computers by customers
- Rent rises
§1030 / 60 / 90-day plan
A general plan that applies to any business. A plan for this business will be added after research.
- Days 1–30: Visit a working multipurpose computer centre / cyber café unit, ask 10 buyers about price and quantity, and get quotations from 3 suppliers.
- Days 31–60: Udyam and the licences you need (Udyam, GST (if turnover crosses the limit)), a project report (DPR), and the scheme or loan file.
- Days 61–90: Space and machines, trial production, and first deliveries to 10 customers.
§11Who to connect with
Associations, clusters and training institutes — the directory is being built. Connect
§12Watch
There is no episode on this business yet. Shows are coming soon on the Podcast page.
Want to start Multipurpose Computer Centre / Cyber Café?
DPR, loan file or registration — ask us on WhatsApp.
¶Sources
Data review: 6 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Report it. For information only — not legal or financial advice.