PM Vishwakarma Scheme Reaches 30 Lakh Artisans, Boosting Skills, Credit and Traditional Enterprises
Sep 18: The PM Vishwakarma scheme has emerged as an important support programme for India’s traditional artisan community, with 30 lakh artisans and craftspeople registered across the country in the three years since its launch.
The milestone was highlighted by Union MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi during the third anniversary celebrations of the scheme in Kolkata. He said around 24.50 lakh registered beneficiaries have completed basic skill training, giving traditional workers an opportunity to upgrade their skills and improve their ability to compete in changing markets.
Launched on September 17, 2023, the PM Vishwakarma scheme focuses on strengthening the livelihoods of people engaged in traditional trades. Its support includes skill development, modern toolkits, concessional loans and assistance aimed at improving market access.
For many artisans, access to modern equipment can make a direct difference to productivity and the quality of finished products. Under the scheme, 18.15 lakh modern toolkits have been delivered to beneficiaries through India Post, helping traditional workers adopt better tools while continuing their established crafts and occupations.
Access to affordable finance is another major component of the initiative. So far, 6.18 lakh Vishwakarma beneficiaries have received loans of up to Rs 1 lakh at an interest rate of 5 per cent per annum. Loans sanctioned under this component have reached Rs 5,297 crore, providing working capital and financial support to artisans looking to expand or strengthen their businesses.
The scheme has also gained momentum in West Bengal since the state was brought under its implementation in May 2026. More than seven lakh applications have been received from the state, indicating substantial participation from traditional workers seeking formal support for their livelihoods and enterprises.
The third anniversary celebrations were organised by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) at the Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium in Kolkata. The programme also showcased the work of Vishwakarma artisans through an exhibition of traditional arts and crafts.
Minister of State for MSME Shobha Karandlaje called on beneficiaries to make greater use of the opportunities available under the scheme and stressed the importance of encouraging women-led entrepreneurship.
As part of the celebrations, artisans from West Bengal received PM Vishwakarma identity cards and certificates, modern toolkits and Rs 1 lakh loan cheques. More than 2,000 Vishwakarmas and Panchayat functionaries from across the state took part in the event.
The wider significance of the scheme lies in its attempt to connect India’s traditional occupations with the modern MSME ecosystem. Training can help artisans improve their skills, modern tools can raise productivity, and easier access to institutional credit can help them invest in their businesses without depending entirely on informal sources of finance.
Greater market access can further help artisans reach customers beyond their local areas, creating opportunities to increase sales and build more sustainable enterprises. This could support income generation, local employment and small-business growth, particularly in rural and semi-urban communities where traditional crafts remain an important source of livelihood.
The continued expansion of PM Vishwakarma therefore represents an effort to combine traditional knowledge with modern skills, technology, finance and markets, allowing India’s artisan economy to preserve its heritage while creating new opportunities for entrepreneurship and economic growth.