The PM Vishwakarma scheme is a central sector scheme launched by the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) on September 17, 2023. It aims to provide holistic support to artisans and craftspeople who work with their hands and tools, often belonging to the informal sector. The scheme seeks to integrate these traditional artisans into the formal economy and global value chains.
Objectives of the Scheme
The core objectives of the scheme focus on the economic upliftment and skill enhancement of the traditional workforce:
- Recognizing artisans and craftspeople through the PM Vishwakarma Certificate and ID Card.
- Upgrading skills through basic and advanced training programs.
- Providing support for better and modern toolkits.
- Facilitating credit support through collateral-free enterprise development loans.
- Encouraging digital transactions to improve financial literacy.
- Providing a platform for brand promotion and market linkage.
Eligibility Criteria
The scheme targets individuals engaged in traditional trades. Key eligibility requirements include:
- The applicant must be a citizen of India.
- The applicant must be engaged in one of the identified 18 traditional trades.
- The minimum age of the beneficiary should be 18 years on the date of registration.
- The applicant should be engaged in the trade on the date of registration and should not have availed of loans under similar credit-based schemes of Central/State government (such as PMEGP, PM SVANidhi, or MUDRA) in the last five years.
- Registration under the scheme is restricted to one member per family (defined as husband, wife, and unmarried children).
- Persons in government service and their family members are not eligible.
Identified Trades under PM Vishwakarma
The scheme covers 18 specific traditional trades classified under the Ministry of MSME:
| Category | Trades Covered |
| Construction | Mason (Rajmistri), Boat Maker, Armourer |
| Textiles | Weaver (Bunkar), Doll and Toy Maker (Traditional), Barber (Naai), Garland Maker (Malakaar) |
| Metal/Wood/Stone | Carpenter (Suthar), Blacksmith (Lohar), Hammer and Tool Kit Maker, Locksmith, Goldsmith (Sunar), Potter (Kumhaar), Sculptor (Moortikar/Stone Carver), Stone Breaker |
| Other Services | Cobbler (Charmkar/Shoe-smith/Footwear Artisan), Basket/Mat/Broom Maker/Coir Weaver, Fishing Net Maker |
Key Components of Support
The Government of India provides a structured support mechanism for registered beneficiaries:
- Recognition: PM Vishwakarma Certificate and ID card.
- Skill Upgradation:
- Basic Training: 5–7 days (40 hours).
- Advanced Training: 15 days or more (120 hours).
- Stipend: A daily stipend of INR 500 is provided to trainees during the training period.
- Toolkit Incentive: A grant of up to INR 15,000 is provided as an e-vouchers for the purchase of modern toolkits upon completion of basic training.
- Credit Support:
- First Tranche: Loan of up to INR 1 lakh with a tenure of 18 months.
- Second Tranche: Loan of up to INR 2 lakh with a tenure of 30 months.
- Interest Rate: Concessional rate of 5% with an interest subvention cap of 8% provided by the Government of India.
- Incentive for Digital Transactions: An incentive of INR 1 per digital transaction for up to 100 transactions monthly is credited to the beneficiary’s bank account.
- Marketing Support: Assistance is provided for quality certification, branding, advertising, publicity, and other marketing activities to help artisans reach wider markets.
Implementation and Governance
The scheme is governed by a multi-tiered structure to ensure grassroots reach:
- National Committee for PM Vishwakarma (NCPV): Responsible for overall policy guidance and coordination.
- Registration: Registration is conducted through the CSC (Common Service Centers) portal using Aadhaar-based biometric authentication.
- Verification: A three-step verification process involves Gram Panchayat/ULB level, District level, and State level committees.
- Funding: The scheme is fully funded by the Union Government under the Ministry of MSME, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and the Department of Financial Services (Ministry of Finance).