Government scheme offers loans, skill training, toolkit assistance and other support to eligible traditional artisans and craftspeople
Business | Government Schemes | September 21, 2026: Traditional artisans and craftspeople across India can access financial and skill-development support through the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, a Central Government initiative designed to help people engaged in traditional trades strengthen and expand their businesses.
The scheme, launched on September 17, 2023, covers 18 traditional trades and provides a combination of recognition, training, modern tools, credit support, digital transaction incentives and marketing assistance.
Loans Up to ₹3 Lakh Without Collateral
One of the key benefits of PM Vishwakarma is access to collateral-free Enterprise Development Loans of up to ₹3 lakh.
The credit support is provided in two stages:
- First tranche: Up to ₹1 lakh, with an 18-month repayment period
- Second tranche: Up to ₹2 lakh, with a 30-month repayment period
The beneficiary interest rate is fixed at 5%, while the Government provides interest subvention of up to 8% to the lending institutions. Eligibility for the second tranche is linked to repayment of the first loan and meeting specified conditions, including digital transactions or advanced training.
Toolkit Assistance of Up to ₹15,000
Eligible beneficiaries can also receive a toolkit incentive of up to ₹15,000 through e-vouchers. The assistance is intended to help artisans purchase improved and modern tools related to their traditional trade.
Skill Training With Daily Stipend
The scheme provides Basic Training of 5–7 days, while eligible participants can also undertake Advanced Training of 15 days or more.
Beneficiaries receive a ₹500-per-day training stipend during the training period.
Digital Transaction Incentive
PM Vishwakarma also encourages artisans to adopt digital payments. Beneficiaries can receive ₹1 per eligible digital transaction, subject to a maximum of 100 eligible transactions per month under the scheme’s prescribed conditions.
Marketing Support for Artisans
The scheme is not limited to loans and training. It also provides marketing-related assistance, including support for quality certification, branding, advertising, publicity and onboarding on e-commerce platforms such as GeM.
Who Can Benefit From PM Vishwakarma?
The scheme is intended for artisans and craftspeople aged 18 years or above who work in one of the 18 specified traditional trades. These include carpenters, boat makers, blacksmiths, goldsmiths, potters, sculptors, cobblers, masons, tailors, barbers, washermen, garland makers and other eligible traditional occupations.
Registration is carried out through the PM Vishwakarma portal and Common Services Centres (CSCs), followed by the prescribed verification process.
Scheme Continues Through FY 2027–28
PM Vishwakarma has an approved financial outlay of ₹13,000 crore and is scheduled to operate from FY 2023–24 to FY 2027–28. As of September 2026, the Government said the scheme’s registration target of 30 lakh beneficiaries had been achieved.
The initiative aims to help traditional artisans improve their skills, access modern tools and formal credit, adopt digital transactions and connect with wider markets.
