Skill, Credit, And Pride: The Triple Boost Of PM Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman

On September 17, 2023, the Government of India launched the ambitious PM Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman Yojana, aiming to empower the country’s traditional artisans and craftsmen by providing holistic support encompassing skill development, financial aid, modern toolkits, and enhanced market access. This visionary central sector scheme integrates various facets of artisan welfare to foster growth, increase incomes, and preserve India’s rich cultural heritage.

 

Key Highlights of PM Vishwakarma Yojana

Launched on Vishwakarma Jayanti with a budget outlay of Rs 13,000 to 15,000 crore over five years till 2027–28

 

Targeted at around 30 lakh artisans across 18 traditional trades including carpenters, blacksmiths, goldsmiths, potters, barbers, and more

 

Offers collateral-free loans up to Rs 3 lakh in two tranches with concessional interest rate of 5% per annum

 

Skill development program features certified basic (5-7 days) and advanced (15 days or more) training modules with daily stipend of Rs 500 during training

 

Provides a one-time toolkit incentive of Rs 15,000 via digital vouchers to purchase modern equipment, supported by comprehensive toolkit manuals

 

Incentivizes digital transactions by offering a reward of Rs 1 per transaction up to 100 transactions monthly to promote formalization

 

Grants official recognition through PM Vishwakarma certificates and identity cards establishing artisan credibility

 

Incorporates marketing and branding support to link artisans with domestic and global value chains

 

Enrolment, Verification, and Skill Training Process

The scheme adopts a meticulous three-stage verification verifying beneficiaries at the local (Gram Panchayat/Urban Local Body), district, and state levels to ensure outreach integrity. Once enrolled, artisans gain digital payment facilities integration through QR codes and UPI mechanisms promoting financial inclusion.

 

Skill elevation is central to the scheme, with beneficiaries undergoing training programs designed by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). The staggered training approach ensures foundational skills are instilled, followed by advanced mastery, boosting quality and productivity. Stipends provided during training phases help artisans focus on learning without financial constraints.

 

Financial Support and Credit Facilities

PM Vishwakarma Yojana facilitates credit through ‘Enterprise Development Loans’ granted without collateral. The first tranche offers up to Rs 1 lakh repayable in 18 months after basic training completion, while the second tranche provides up to Rs 2 lakh repayable in 30 months to support business scaling. These concessional loans bridge the gap between traditional informal lending and formal credit, enabling artisans to invest in growth and innovation.

 

Broader Social and Economic Impact

The scheme emphasizes inclusivity by prioritizing marginalized groups including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, differently-abled individuals, and residents of Northeast, island territories, and hilly regions. Women artisans receive special focus, promoting gender empowerment in traditional trades.

 

By fostering entrepreneurship and modernization, the scheme not only enhances individual livelihoods but also bolsters rural economies and preserves Indigenous crafts. Support for market linkages encourages artisans to scale their businesses beyond local geographies, tapping into expanding e-commerce platforms and export opportunities.

 

Digital Transactions and Market Enablement

To integrate artisans into the formal economy, the scheme incentivizes digital payments, a critical step towards transparency and financial discipline. Marketing support provisions include brand promotion, participation in trade fairs, and digital marketplace access, positioning artisans competitively in evolving consumer markets.

 

Implementation and Outreach Mechanism

With nearly 500 District Project Management Units (DPMUs) already operational covering more than 600 districts, the scheme ensures grassroots mobilization and sustained monitoring. DPMUs act as coordinators, raising awareness, facilitating training, managing fund flows, and maintaining transparency.

 

Looking Ahead: Sustaining Growth and Legacy

PM Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman Yojana represents a paradigm shift in how traditional artisans are supported by government initiatives, combining modern financial instruments, skill integration, and market connectivity. As more artisans join, the scheme holds promise for transforming India’s MSME landscape by boosting productivity, income, and cultural preservation.

 

Conclusion

PM Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman Yojana stands as a comprehensive blueprint for uplifting India’s vast artisan community with skill, credit, recognition, and digital empowerment. This multi-dimensional support framework is set to enhance socio-economic equity and nurture the age-old guru-shishya tradition, helping artisans innovate while honoring their rich legacy.

 

Sources: PMVishwakarma.gov.in, Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Press Information Bureau, Amar Ujala