§1What this business is

Bakelite powder is compression-moulded into holder bodies, metal parts are drilled, sheared and polished, and the holders are assembled and electrically tested. KVIC notes they work at 250 volts and up to 2 amps, and fall under a government Quality Control Order, so they must be made and tested to IS standards. Buyers are electrical wholesalers and shops.

Capacity: 72,000 dozen a year.

§2Is it right for you?

Who it is for

Someone in the electrical-goods trade who can get BIS certification and sell to wholesalers.

Who it is not for

Someone hoping to sell uncertified holders — that is not allowed.

Advantages

  • Every light point needs a holder
  • Small machine investment (₹2.20 L)
  • Steady replacement demand
  • Simple moulding process

Drawbacks

  • BIS certification is compulsory
  • Cheap imports and big brands compete
  • Working capital is nearly 4 times the machinery cost
  • Thin surplus at lower capacity

Skills you need

  • Compression moulding
  • Electrical testing
  • BIS quality systems
  • Wholesale sales

Why difficulty 3/5: Easy to make, but BIS certification and testing are compulsory.

§3Market

Who buys

  • Electricians and households
  • Builders and electrical contractors
  • Electrical wholesalers and shops

How it sells

  • Electrical wholesale markets
  • Hardware and electrical shops
  • Contractor supply

Good to know

  • KVIC: holders work at 250 V and loads up to 2 A.
  • Only BIS-certified holders can be sold where the Quality Control Order applies.

§4Raw material & machinery

ItemQtyCost
Hand-operated Bakelite compression moulding machine with heaters, 30 MT1—
½-inch drilling machine with accessories1—
Double-ended polishing-cum-buffing machine1—
Hand shearing machine1—
Moulding dies for holders1 set—
Electrical testing equipment, tools and instruments1 lot—
Total equipment incl. office furniture, taxes and installation1 lot₹2,20,000

From: KVIC Project Profile — Lamp Holders (PMEGP)

  • Bakelite moulding powderfor the holder body
  • Brass or metal contacts, springs and screwsfor the bayonet slots and terminals
  • All raw material together₹22.00 lakh a year in the profile
  • Labels and packing material₹1.75 lakh a year in the profile

From: KVIC Project Profile — Lamp Holders (PMEGP)

§5Licences & registration

  1. BIS licence — the KVIC profile says lamp holders are under a Quality Control Order
  2. Udyam registration
  3. GST
  4. Trade licence
  5. State Pollution Control Board consent if your state asks for moulding units

We can do this registration for you

§6Schemes & subsidies

PMEGP fits; MUDRA covers up to ₹20 L; CGTMSE for collateral-free loans; Stand-Up India for SC/ST or women owners (₹10 L and above).

§7Money

How the investment is worked out: KVIC profile: equipment ₹2.20 L (hand-operated Bakelite compression moulding machine 30 MT with heaters, ½-inch drilling machine, polishing-cum-buffing machine, hand shearing machine, moulding dies, electrical testing equipment, tools, office equipment, taxes and installation) + working capital ₹8.00 L = ₹10.20 L. The PMEGP list also shows ₹3.30 L for this link, but the profile it serves prints ₹10.20 L.

Working capital: Working capital ₹8.00 L; raw material ₹22.00 L a year.

Year not printed on the KVIC profile — check current machinery prices.

How to prepare a loan file

§8Export potential

Confirm the HS code in the DGFT ITC(HS) lookup before you export

8536 61Lamp-holders

Export council / board: EEPC India

  • EEPC India covers engineering and electrical goods.
  • Buyer countries may need their own safety marks.

§9Risks — where people fail

  • Losing or failing BIS certification
  • Bakelite and brass price rises
  • Price pressure from imports
  • Stock tied up with dealers

§1030 / 60 / 90-day plan

A general plan that applies to any business. A plan for this business will be added after research.

  1. Days 1–30: Visit a working lamp holder manufacturing unit, ask 10 buyers about price and quantity, and get quotations from 3 suppliers.
  2. Days 31–60: Udyam and the licences you need (BIS licence — the KVIC profile says lamp holders are under a Quality Control Order, Udyam registration), a project report (DPR), and the scheme or loan file.
  3. Days 61–90: Space and machines, trial production, and first deliveries to 10 customers.

§11Who to connect with

Not verified yet

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 Lamp Holder Manufacturing?

DPR, loan file or registration — ask us on WhatsApp.

Get a DPR / loan file made

Sources

  1. KVIC Project Profile — Lamp Holders (PMEGP)

Data review: 6 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Report it. For information only — not legal or financial advice.