Overview
The PM Vishwakarma Yojana is a Central Sector Scheme launched on 17 September 2023 (Vishwakarma Jayanti) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide holistic support to artisans and craftsmen working with their hands and tools in traditional trades. The scheme aims to preserve India’s cultural heritage of traditional craftsmanship while integrating artisans into the formal economy through recognition, skill upgradation, credit access, and market linkage.
With a total outlay of ₹13,000 crore over five years (FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28), the scheme covers 18 traditional trades. As of August 2025, over 30 lakh artisans have been registered, 26 lakh verified, 23 lakh trained, and 4.7 lakh loans worth ₹41,188 crore sanctioned.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Launched | 17 September 2023 (Vishwakarma Jayanti) |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME) |
| Total Outlay | ₹13,000 crore (FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28) |
| Trades Covered | 18 traditional trades |
| Artisans Registered | 30 lakh+ (August 2025) |
| Artisans Verified | 26 lakh+ |
| Artisans Trained | 23 lakh+ |
| Loans Sanctioned | 4.7 lakh (worth ₹41,188 crore) |
| Official Portal | pmvishwakarma.gov.in |
18 Eligible Trades
The scheme covers artisans and craftsmen working in 18 family-based traditional trades:
| S.No. | Trade | S.No. | Trade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carpenter (Suthar) | 10 | Fishing Net Maker |
| 2 | Boat Maker | 11 | Sculptor / Stone Carver / Stone Breaker |
| 3 | Armour Maker | 12 | Cobbler / Shoemaker / Footwear Artisan |
| 4 | Blacksmith (Lohar) | 13 | Mason (Rajmistri) |
| 5 | Hammer and Tool Kit Maker | 14 | Basket / Mat / Broom Maker / Coir Weaver |
| 6 | Locksmith | 15 | Doll and Toy Maker (Traditional) |
| 7 | Goldsmith (Sonar) | 16 | Barber (Nai) |
| 8 | Potter (Kumhar) | 17 | Garland Maker (Malakar) |
| 9 | Tailor (Darzi) | 18 | Washerman (Dhobi) |
Key Benefits
1. Recognition
- PM Vishwakarma Certificate and ID Card issued to every verified artisan, providing formal recognition of their skills and trade.
2. Skill Upgradation
- Basic Training: 5-7 days with a stipend of ₹500 per day.
- Advanced Training: 15 days or more with the same daily stipend.
- Training is conducted at designated training centres and includes modern techniques alongside traditional skills.
3. Toolkit Incentive
- Up to ₹15,000 provided as e-vouchers at the beginning of Basic Skill Training for purchasing modern tools and equipment.
4. Credit Support
- Collateral-free Enterprise Development Loans in two tranches:
- First tranche: Up to ₹1 lakh (18-month tenure)
- Second tranche: Up to ₹2 lakh (30-month tenure) — total up to ₹3 lakh
- Interest rate: 5% concessional rate (Government of India provides 8% interest subvention to banks)
- No collateral or guarantee required
5. Digital Transaction Incentive
- ₹1 per digital transaction (UPI, etc.), maximum 100 transactions per month, to encourage cashless transactions among artisans.
6. Marketing Support
- Quality certification (BIS standards)
- Branding and packaging support
- GeM (Government e-Marketplace) onboarding for government procurement access
- E-commerce platform promotion
- IIM-led market research for artisan products
- Advertising, publicity, and value chain linkage
Implementation Structure
- National Steering Committee: Chaired by Minister of MSME; oversees scheme direction, expansion decisions.
- National Implementation Committee: Handles operational execution.
- District Implementation Committee: Led by District Collector/Magistrate for local coordination.
- Gram Panchayat verification: Artisans are verified at the Gram Panchayat level before being enrolled.
Latest Developments
- August 2025: Over 30 lakh artisans registered, 26 lakh verified, 23 lakh trained, and 4.7 lakh loans sanctioned worth ₹41,188 crore across 18 trades.
- 2025-26: Scheme entering a new phase with enhanced marketing and credit support, including e-commerce promotion and IIM-led market research for artisan products.
- 2025-26: Second loan tranche of ₹2,00,000 being actively disbursed to eligible artisans who successfully repaid the first tranche.
- 2025: National Steering Committee evaluating scheme expansion to potentially include more trades and higher loan limits.
- September 2023: PM Vishwakarma Yojana launched by Prime Minister on Vishwakarma Jayanti with ₹13,000 crore outlay for 5 years.
Prelims Importance
- PM Vishwakarma launched: 17 September 2023 (Vishwakarma Jayanti)
- Total outlay: ₹13,000 crore (FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28)
- Type: Central Sector Scheme (100% Central funding)
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME)
- Trades covered: 18 traditional/family-based trades
- Artisans registered: 30 lakh+ (August 2025)
- Loan: Collateral-free up to ₹3 lakh (₹1 lakh + ₹2 lakh tranches) at 5% interest with 8% GoI subvention
- Toolkit incentive: Up to ₹15,000 as e-vouchers
- Training stipend: ₹500/day (Basic: 5-7 days; Advanced: 15+ days)
- Digital incentive: ₹1 per transaction, max 100/month
- Verification: At Gram Panchayat level
- Official portal: pmvishwakarma.gov.in
Mains & Interview Importance
GS3 — Economy, MSME, Employment:
- Discuss the significance of PM Vishwakarma Yojana in formalising India’s traditional artisan economy. How does it differ from earlier skill development schemes?
- Evaluate the role of collateral-free credit and digital incentives in mainstreaming artisans into the formal financial system.
- “India’s traditional crafts are dying due to mass production and cheap imports.” Critically analyse this statement and discuss how PM Vishwakarma addresses this challenge.
GS1 — History, Art & Culture:
- How does the scheme help in preserving India’s intangible cultural heritage while simultaneously modernising traditional crafts?
Essay connections: India’s craft heritage, MSME empowerment, inclusive development, Atmanirbhar Bharat, dignity of labour.
Interview angle: “PM Vishwakarma covers 18 trades — but many traditional crafts like handloom weaving, lac work, and metal engraving are excluded. If you were designing the next phase, which trades would you add and why? How would you balance heritage preservation with economic viability?”