DPIIT extends last date for LEAPS 2023

NEW DELHI : A recent announcement by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) – under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India – mentioned that last date of applications for the Logistics Excellence, Advancement and Performance Shield (LEAPS) 2023 are open and extended until May 14, 2023 which was earlier 30th April. This program aims to recognize and reward logistics companies that have demonstrated excellence and outstanding performance in the logistics sector.

The LEAPS program has been designed with the motive to encourage the adoption of best practices and innovative technologies in the logistics sector, enhance the competitiveness of Indian logistics companies, and promote sustainable growth in the logistics industry.

To be eligible for LEAPS 2023, logistics companies must be operating for at least 2 years with a minimum annual turnover of INR 10 crores. Start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), large enterprises, and government organizations – all are eligible to apply for the LEAPS 2023 awards. Participation in the LEAPS is voluntary, and each individual entity can apply for up to two showcase categories for LEAPS.

Participants will be evaluated based on a set of criteria that includes their operational performance, customer feedback, innovation, sustainability practices, and social responsibility. The program will also consider the specific challenges faced by the logistics sector in India.

The LEAPS program is a much-needed step towards promoting excellence in the logistics sector in India. The logistics industry plays a crucial role in the country’s economic growth and development, and the LEAPS program will encourage logistics companies to adopt best practices and innovative technologies, enhance their competitiveness, and promote sustainable growth in the industry.

LEAPS aims at creating a new benchmark in India, as well as globally, by not only recognizing players in the logistics sector, but also the MSMEs, Startups and logistics sector enablers who have been providing innovative solutions across the logistics ecosystem. The key guiding principles for the LEAPS are:

• Coverage of all logistics sectors and ecosystem enablers
• Special focus on MSMEs and Startups
• Ensuring diversity, inclusion and ESG best practices in the logistics industry are showcased
• Alignment with the objectives of PM Gatishakti
• Alignment with the mission of Aatmanirbhar Bharat

Eligibility Criteria

Core logistics and special categories

• The entity applying for the award shall be a company registered in India under the Companies Act 1956, or a partnership firm registered under the Limited Liability Partnership Act of 2008,
• The entity must have all applicable trade or trade-specific registrations (example: CE, GST Registration, etc.)
• There should not have been any defaults in the last three years (FY 2019-20, 20-21, 21-22 (provisional)) by the entity or any of its promoters or any of their group entities.
• The entity must submit audited financial statements (balance sheet, profit & loss account) for the last three financial years (FY 2019-20, 20-21, 21-22 (provisional))

Startups

• The startup should be a DPIIT recognized startup. The entity must submit their certificate of incorporation or partnership deed.
• The entity must have a hardware or software product or a process solution that is present in the market.
• The entity must have all applicable trade or trade-specific registrations (Example: CE, FSSAI, MSME, GST Registration, etc.
• There should not have been any defaults in the last three years (FY 2019-20, 20-21, 21-22 (provisional)) by the entity or any of its promoters or any of their group entities.
• The entity must submit audited financial statements (balance sheet, profit & loss account) for the last three financial years (FY 2019-20, 20-21, 21-22 (provisional))
• Entities registered in FY 2019-20 or later, need to provide the financial statements applicable for establishing and succeeding financial years.

MSME

• The entity should be a recognized MSME entity. The entity must submit their certificate of incorporation or partnership deed.
• The entity must have all applicable trade or trade-specific registrations (example: CE, MSME, GST Registration, etc.)
• There should not have been any defaults in the last three years (FY 2019-20, 20-21, 21-22 (provisional)) by the entity or any of its promoters or any of their group entities.
• The entity must submit audited financial statements (balance sheet, profit & loss account) for the last three financial years (FY 2019-20, 20-21, 21-22 (provisional))
• Entities registered in FY 2019-20 or later need to provide the financial statements applicable for establishing and succeeding financial years

Organisations that have not yet submitted their applications for LEAPS 2023, can do so by visiting the LEAPS website and register themselves.