The PM Vishwakarma Yojana is a central government scheme aimed at supporting traditional artisans and craftspeople who depend on their skills and tools for their livelihood. The programme focuses on improving their skills, helping them access better equipment and providing financial support to expand their work.
Launched on September 17, 2023, the scheme covers 18 traditional occupations. Eligible beneficiaries can receive training, an official identity card and certificate, a toolkit incentive of up to ₹15,000 and access to collateral-free loans of up to ₹3 lakh.
Who Can Apply for PM Vishwakarma Yojana?
The scheme is intended for artisans and craftspeople who work with their hands and tools and are engaged in one of the 18 occupations covered under the programme.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and should be self-employed in the informal sector. The occupations covered include carpenters, boat builders, blacksmiths, hammer and tool kit makers, locksmiths, goldsmiths, potters, sculptors and stone carvers.
The list also includes cobblers and shoe makers, masons, basket, mat and broom makers, traditional toy and doll makers, barbers, garland makers, washermen, tailors and fishing net makers.
There are certain eligibility restrictions. Only one person from a family can receive benefits under the scheme. Government employees and their family members are not eligible. In addition, people who have received a loan under a similar government credit scheme for self-employment or business within the previous five years may face restrictions on eligibility.
How to Get the ₹15,000 Toolkit and ₹3 Lakh Loan?
One of the major benefits available under PM Vishwakarma is a toolkit incentive of up to ₹15,000. The assistance is provided through e-vouchers that beneficiaries can use to purchase modern tools needed for their occupation.
Eligible artisans can also access an Enterprise Development Loan of up to ₹3 lakh without collateral. The loan is provided in two stages rather than as a single ₹3 lakh payment.
The first tranche offers a loan of up to ₹1 lakh, while the second tranche can provide up to ₹2 lakh. The loan is available at a concessional interest rate of 5%. The repayment period is 18 months for the first tranche and 30 months for the second tranche.
Completion of basic training is required before receiving the first loan. Access to the second tranche depends on conditions such as satisfactory repayment of the first loan, adoption of digital transactions or completion of advanced training.
₹500 Daily Stipend During Training
The scheme also focuses on improving the skills of traditional artisans through structured training programmes.
Basic training is conducted for five to seven days, while advanced training can continue for 15 days or longer. Beneficiaries receive a stipend of ₹500 per day during the training period.
PM Vishwakarma also encourages artisans to adopt digital payments. Eligible beneficiaries can receive an incentive of ₹1 for each qualifying digital transaction, subject to a maximum of 100 transactions in a month.
The government also provides marketing assistance to help artisans reach wider markets. This support includes opportunities through trade fairs, exhibitions, branding activities and e-commerce platforms.
How to Apply for PM Vishwakarma Yojana?
Artisans can register for the PM Vishwakarma Yojana through Common Service Centres (CSCs). Aadhaar-based biometric authentication is used during the registration process.
According to the government information provided for the scheme, registration is free of cost. Eligible artisans can visit their nearest CSC with the required details and complete the registration process.