Autonomous Bodies are set up whenever it is felt that certain functions need to be discharged outside the governmental set up with some amount of independence and flexibility without day-to-day interference of the Governmental machinery. These are set up by the Ministries/Departments concerned with the subject matter and are funded through grants-in-aid, either fully or partially, depending on the extent which such institutes generate internal resources of their own. These grants are regulated by the Ministry of Finance through their instructions as well as the instructions relating to powers for creation of posts and etc. They are mostly registered as societies under the Societies Registration Act and in certain cases they have been set up as statutory institutions under the provisions contained in various Acts.

A total of 18 Autonomous Bodies fall within the purview of Development Commissioner (MSME). A complete list may be seen below.

MSME-Technology Development Centre (MSME-TDCs) are product specific Centres for looking into MSMEs specific problems and rendering technical services, developing and upgrading technologies and manpower development in specific product groups like Foundry & Forging, Electronics, Frgrance & Flavour, Sport Shoes, Electrical Measuring Instruments and Glass.

The Central Footwear Training Institutes have been setup with State-of-the art machinery to impart training in the modern methods of footwear manufacturing. The primary objectives of the institutes is human resources development in the field of footwear sect