What are the first steps to start a manufacturing business in India?

Begin by choosing the right product or niche based on market demand, raw?material availability and business potential. Conduct a feasibility study, prepare a business plan covering costs, production, demand and supply chain, and ensure compliance with local regulations before investing.

Which legal and regulatory compliances are needed before launch?

You will generally need registrations such as MSME/Udyam registration, GST registration, factory license (if applicable), and other clearances depending on your product — for example, sanitary or pollution clearances. Proper licensing is essential for smooth and legitimate operations. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

How much investment does a small or medium manufacturing unit require?

It depends largely on the product and scale. Some small?scale manufacturing ideas may begin with moderate capital (for example low?automation, small?volume production), while medium or larger units will require higher capital for machines, infrastructure and raw materials. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

What kind of machinery and setup is needed for a manufacturing unit?

You need appropriate machinery and equipment depending on the product (manual, semi?automatic or fully automatic). Also important is selecting a suitable location with good access to raw materials, labour, utilities (power, water), and ensuring space and layout for production, storage and quality control. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

How to handle marketing, sales and scaling of the manufacturing business?

After setting up production, success depends on proper marketing and distribution — choosing effective sales channels (B2B, B2C, institutional clients), branding, packaging and building relationships with distributors or retailers. As business stabilizes, you can expand capacity, diversify product lines, or upgrade automation to scale operations. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}