The scheme “PM Vishwakarma Scheme” is a Central Government Scheme launched by the Government of India for traditional artisans and craftspeople working with their hands and traditional tools. The scheme aims at enhancing their skills, providing them better tools, affordable credit and linking them to larger markets.
The scheme was launched on 17th of September 2023 and covers artisans engaged in 18 traditional trades with a financial outlay of ₹13,000 crore. The scheme offers comprehensive support to boost the productivity and economic viability of traditional skills.
PM Vishwakarma Scheme 2026: Overview
- Scheme Name: PM Vishwakarma Scheme
- Target Beneficiaries: Traditional artisans and craftspeople working with their hands and traditional tools.
- Skill Training: Beneficiaries can receive basic and advanced skill training to improve their traditional work.
- Training Stipend: Eligible trainees receive ₹500 per day during training.
- Toolkit Incentive: Financial support of up to ₹15,000 is provided for purchasing improved tools.
- Collateral-Free Loan: Eligible artisans can get loans of up to ₹3 lakh for enterprise development.
- Concessional Interest Rate: The loan is available at a 5% interest rate, subject to the scheme’s conditions.
- Digital Transaction Incentive: Beneficiaries can receive ₹1 per eligible digital transaction, up to 100 transactions per month.
- PM Vishwakarma ID Card & Certificate: Registered artisans receive official recognition of their traditional occupation.
Also Read: Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana 2026: Eligibility, Apply Online, Beneficiary List & Status Check
PM Vishwakarma Scheme Eligibility Criteria
The scheme is specifically meant for artisans and craftspeople working in traditional occupations. Applicants must satisfy the prescribed conditions at the time of registration.
- Age Requirement: Must be 18 years or above on the date of registration.
- Trade Engagement: Must be a traditional artisan or craftsperson engaged in one of the 18 listed trades, working with hands and traditional tools on a self-employed basis in the unorganised sector.
- Active Occupation: The applicant must be actively engaged in the concerned trade at the time of registration.
- Family Eligibility: Only one member of a family can avail benefits under the scheme.
- Government Employees: Government employees and their family members are not eligible for the scheme.
- Previous Loans: Generally, the applicant should not have availed a similar self-employment/business-development loan from the government in the previous 5 years, subject to the scheme’s applicable conditions.
- Trade-Specific Eligibility: The applicant must belong to one of the 18 trades officially covered under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme.
Which 18 Traditional Trades Are Covered Under PM Vishwakarma?
The PM Vishwakarma Scheme is designed to support India’s traditional artisans and craftspeople by providing them with financial assistance, skill training, better tools, and market support. To make the scheme targeted and effective, the government has included 18 traditional trades in the PM Vishwakarma list. These occupations represent valuable skills that have often been passed down from one generation to the next.
| Traditional Trade | Products / Work Covered |
|---|---|
| Carpenter | Furniture, doors, windows, wooden structures and other woodwork |
| Boat Maker | Traditional wooden boats and related boat-making work |
| Armourer | Traditional armour, metal protective items and related articles |
| Blacksmith | Iron tools, agricultural implements, household items and other metalwork |
| Hammer & Tool Kit Maker | Hammers, hand tools, tool kits and other traditional tools |
| Locksmith | Locks, keys and other traditional locking mechanisms |
| Goldsmith | Gold jewellery, ornaments and other traditional jewellery work |
| Potter | Earthen pots, diyas, decorative pottery and other clay products |
| Sculptor / Stone Carver / Stone Breaker | Stone sculptures, carvings, idols and other stonework |
| Cobbler / Shoesmith / Footwear Artisan | Shoes, sandals, slippers and other footwear |
| Mason | Brickwork, construction, walls and other masonry work |
| Basket / Mat / Broom Maker & Coir Weaver | Baskets, mats, brooms, coir products and related items |
| Doll & Toy Maker | Traditional dolls, toys and handmade play items |
| Barber | Hair cutting, grooming and traditional barbering services |
| Garland Maker | Flower garlands, decorative garlands and related floral products |
| Washerman | Washing, cleaning and ironing clothes |
| Tailor | Stitching, altering and making garments and other textile products |
| Fishing Net Maker | Handmade fishing nets and related net products |
These trades are specifically listed under the PM Vishwakarma framework.
Extensive Benefits of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme
The PM Vishwakarma Scheme offers a comprehensive package of benefits designed to support traditional artisans and craftspeople at different stages—from recognition and skill development to better tools, affordable credit, and market access.
- Recognition as a Vishwakarma:
- Eligible beneficiaries receive a PM Vishwakarma Certificate and ID Card, providing formal recognition of their traditional occupation.
- This recognition can also help artisans become part of the formal MSME ecosystem.
- Toolkit Incentive:
- Beneficiaries can receive a toolkit incentive of up to ₹15,000 through an e-voucher.
- The assistance is intended to help artisans purchase modern and improved tools relevant to their trade.
- Skill Training & Daily Stipend:
- Beneficiaries can receive Basic Training of 5–7 days and Advanced Training of 15 days or more.
- During eligible training, artisans receive a ₹500 per day stipend.
- Training focuses on improving traditional skills and introducing modern techniques and tools.
- Collateral-Free Loan:
- Eligible artisans can access collateral-free enterprise development loans of up to ₹3 lakh.
- The credit support is provided in two tranches—₹1 lakh initially and ₹2 lakh subsequently, subject to the applicable conditions.
- Concessional Interest Rate:
- The loans are available at a concessional interest rate of 5% for eligible beneficiaries.
- Government interest subvention helps make institutional credit more affordable for artisans.
- Digital Transaction Incentive:
- Artisans are encouraged to adopt digital payment methods through a financial incentive.
- Eligible beneficiaries can receive ₹1 per digital transaction for up to 100 transactions per month, subject to scheme conditions.
- Marketing & Branding Support:
- The scheme aims to help artisans take their products beyond local markets.
- Support can include branding, quality certification, advertising, e-commerce and market linkages, helping artisans reach more customers.
- Support for Business Growth:
- By combining training, improved tools, affordable credit and marketing assistance, the scheme aims to help traditional artisans increase their productivity and develop their businesses.
- This integrated support can help artisans move from traditional, small-scale work towards more sustainable income-generating enterprises.
How to Apply for PM Vishwakarma Scheme?
Artisans can register through the official PM Vishwakarma system or with assistance from a Common Service Centre (CSC). The government states that registration involves Aadhaar authentication and biometric verification.
Application Process
- Visit the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC).
- Provide the required details and documents.
- Complete Aadhaar-based authentication/verification.
- Provide information about your traditional trade.
- Complete the registration process through the PM Vishwakarma portal.
- After registration and verification, eligible beneficiaries can access the applicable scheme benefits.
Applicants should make sure that their personal, bank, and occupation-related information is accurate before submitting the application.
What Makes PM Vishwakarma Different?
“An end-to-end approach is an important aspect of PM Vishwakarma. The scheme provides recognition + training + modern tools + affordable credit + digital incentives + market support instead of mere financial help.
As per government data released in 2026, over 30 lakh artisans had registered under the scheme till March 2026, while over 26.7 lakh had undergone skill verification and over 23.7 lakh had completed basic training. Besides, 5.9 lakh plus loans worth around Rs 5,050 crore also had been sanctioned.
Important Links
| PM Vishwakarma Official Portal | Click here |
| Apply / Registration Assistance | Click here |
Final Words
The PM Vishwakarma Scheme 2026 can be particularly helpful to traditional artisans who want to upgrade their skills, upgrade their tools, get affordable institutional credit and expand their customer base. However, not all benefits are automatically on registration. Eligibility, verification, training and other conditions are applicable for different components of the scheme.
Applicants are advised to visit the official PM Vishwakarma portal or approach a Common Service Center to get the most accurate and safest information and should not rely on any unofficial agents or websites.
