About
On India’s 77th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an important scheme to support artisans and craftspeople — the PM Vishwakarma Yojana. It was officially launched on September 17, 2023, on the occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti, at the India International Convention and Expo Centre in Dwarka, New Delhi. This scheme shows the government’s dedication to helping people who work in traditional crafts, keeping India’s cultural heritage alive. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, led by PM Modi, approved it on August 16, 2023. Its goal is to uplift skilled individuals in different traditional trades and ensure their art continues to thrive.
Objectives of PM Vishwakarma Yojna
- The scheme focuses on a very important part of the workforce — artisans in the informal or unorganised sector, known as Vishwakarma. These are skilled people who work with their hands and tools in trades like blacksmithing, goldsmithing, pottery, carpentry, and sculpting. Their skills are usually passed down from generation to generation, following the traditional guru-shishya (teacher-student) style of learning, which helps preserve age-old traditions.
- The PM Vishwakarma Yojana aims to improve the quality of artisans’ products and help them reach bigger markets, both in India and abroad. Since its launch, the scheme has received huge interest — 25.8 million people have applied. Out of these, 2.37 million have been successfully registered after a careful three-step verification process.
- Nearly 1 million registered artisans have also received toolkit incentives of up to ₹15,000 through e-vouchers, helping them buy modern tools to improve their work. This scheme shows the Indian government’s strong commitment to reviving traditional crafts and supporting the artisans who represent the country’s cultural richness and heritage.
Highlights Of the Scheme
- The PM Vishwakarma Yojana is completely funded by the Union Government, with a budget of ₹13,000 crore for five years (from 2023-24 to 2027-28).
- Artisans, known as Vishwakarmas, can register for free through Common Services Centres using a biometric-based PM Vishwakarma Portal. Once registered, they receive a PM Vishwakarma Certificate and an ID Card as official recognition.
- The scheme offers them collateral-free loans — up to ₹1 lakh in the first installment and ₹2 lakh in the second — at a low interest rate of 5%. The Government of India covers an 8% interest subsidy, paid directly to the banks in advance.
- In addition, the scheme helps artisans upgrade their skills through basic and advanced training, provides a ₹15,000 toolkit incentive, and offers rewards for digital transactions as well as marketing support to promote their work.
Key Benefits of the Scheme
1. Enhanced Access to Tooling Facilities
This means making it easier for small and medium businesses (MSMEs) to use high-quality tools and machinery.
Why it matters: Many MSMEs can’t afford advanced equipment, so giving them access improves their work quality, speeds up production, and increases their ability to compete in the market.
2. Industry-Ready Manpower
This refers to providing proper training so that people have the skills industries are looking for.
Why it matters: Training programs help bridge the gap between what people learn and what companies actually need, making it easier for participants to get jobs and for businesses to find skilled workers.
3. Support for Process and Product Development
This means helping businesses improve the way they make products (process) and create new or better products.
Why it matters: When companies improve their processes, they can make goods faster and cheaper. New or improved products also help them attract more customers and stay ahead of competitors.
4. Consultancy and Job Work Services
This involves giving businesses expert advice and taking on specific work tasks for them when needed.
Why it matters: Consultancy helps companies solve problems and improve their operations, while job work services allow them to outsource certain tasks, saving time, effort, and costs.
25 traditional trades are covered under PM Vishwakarma Yojana
PM Vishwakarma Yojana is an endeavour to uplift the Vishwakarmas of India who work tirelessly with their hands and tools, connecting them to the mainstream of development and making them self-reliant.
