§1What this business is
Wick is threaded into moulds, the moulds are oiled and screwed shut, coloured molten wax is poured in and left to cool for about half an hour, then candles are taken out and packed by number or weight. Decorative candles sell at better prices.
Capacity: KVIC: 15 tonnes a year. Samadhan: 150 kg a day, 45 tonnes a year (50% in year 1).
§2Is it right for you?
Who it is for
A home-based maker, self-help group or small trader looking for a low-cost start.
Who it is not for
Someone who wants year-round steady sales without design or festival planning.
Advantages
- Very small investment — can start from one room
- Demand spikes at Diwali, Christmas and during power cuts
- Simple skill, quick to learn
- Decorative and scented candles earn more
Drawbacks
- Plain candles sell on price alone
- Seasonal demand
- Paraffin wax price follows crude oil
- Fire risk while melting wax
Skills you need
- Mould handling and pouring
- Colour and fragrance mixing
- Festival-season planning
- Packaging for gift sales
Why difficulty 1/5: Small money, simple skill, home-based start.
§3Market
Who buys
- Households
- Temples, churches and other religious places
- Hotels and restaurants
- Gift and décor buyers
How it sells
- Kirana and general stores
- Festival stalls and fairs
- Gift shops and online sales
Good to know
- Both reports call candles a mass-consumption item; artistic and decorative candles have good potential.
- The KVIC profile calls paraffin wax a controlled item allotted by the state Directorate of Industries; wicks and other inputs come from the local market.
§4Raw material & machinery
| Item | Qty | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Moulds of various sizes | 1 set | ₹20,000 |
| Wax melting vessels | 1 set | ₹2,000 |
| Stove for melting wax | 1 | ₹2,000 |
| Common balance | 1 | ₹1,000 |
| Miscellaneous | 1 lot | ₹2,000 |
| Plant & machinery in the Samadhan report | total | ₹80,000 |
From: KVIC Project Profile — Wax Candles (PMEGP) · PMEGP sample project report — Wax Candles (prepared by Udyami/Samadhan)
- Paraffin wax1,250 kg a month for ₹37,500 in the KVIC profile
- Wicks54 bundles a month for ₹2,000
- Lubricating oil for moulds₹500 a month
- Packing covers1,300 covers a month for ₹1,000
From: KVIC Project Profile — Wax Candles (PMEGP)
In our raw material database
§5Licences & registration
- Udyam registration
- GST
- Shop/trade licence from the local body
- Legal Metrology packer registration for packaged goods
§6Schemes & subsidies
- CM YUVAUPActiveUp to ₹5 lakh, interest-free
- PMEGPCentralActive15–35% subsidy
- MudraCentralActiveLoan up to ₹20 lakh, no collateral
- CGTMSECentralActiveNo collateral, up to ₹10 crore
Both sizes fit CM-YUVA (UP, projects up to ₹5 L) and MUDRA; PMEGP for a larger unit; CGTMSE for collateral-free credit.
§7Money
How the investment is worked out: Min = KVIC profile ₹77,700: fixed capital ₹27,000 (moulds ₹20,000, wax melting vessels ₹2,000, stove ₹2,000, balance ₹1,000, misc ₹2,000) + one month's working capital ₹50,700; rented room at ₹1,000 a month. Max = Samadhan report ₹4.38 L: plant & machinery ₹0.80 L, furniture ₹0.50 L, working capital ₹3.08 L (its summary page prints ₹4.56 L).
Working capital: KVIC: ₹50,700 a month, mostly paraffin wax (1,250 kg, ₹37,500). Samadhan: ₹3.08 L (bank ₹2.77 L).
Neither report prints a year. The KVIC profile counts a PMRY subsidy and monthly wages of ₹2,000–3,000, so its prices are very old.
§8Export potential
Export council / board: Not verified yet
- No HS code or export body has been checked against an official list yet.
§9Risks — where people fail
- Wax price rise
- Unsold stock after festivals
- Fire accident
- Cheap competition
§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 wax candle making unit, ask 10 buyers about price and quantity, and get quotations from 3 suppliers.
- Days 31–60: Udyam and the licences you need (Udyam registration, GST), 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 Wax Candle Making?
DPR, loan file or registration — ask us on WhatsApp.
¶Sources
- KVIC Project Profile — Wax Candles (PMEGP)
- PMEGP sample project report — Wax Candles (prepared by Udyami/Samadhan)
Data review: 6 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Report it. For information only — not legal or financial advice.