THEBUSINESSBYES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 16, 2026

The PM Vishwakarma Scheme has completed three years with 30 lakh traditional artisans and craftspeople registered after undergoing the prescribed three-stage verification process, marking a key milestone in the government's efforts to strengthen livelihoods, skills and entrepreneurial opportunities in the informal artisan economy.

The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) will celebrate the third anniversary of the scheme on September 17 at Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium in Kolkata, West Bengal, with an event aimed at highlighting its implementation and impact at the grassroots level.

Union MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari will grace the celebrations in the presence of Minister of State for MSME Shobha Karandlaje. West Bengal Minister-in-Charge of the Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises & Textiles Dipak Barman and Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Textiles Ashok Dinda will also attend the event.

Senior officials from the Union MSME Ministry, including representatives of the Office of the Development Commissioner (MSME), Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), State Level Bankers' Committee (SLBC) and India Post, are expected to participate.

The event will bring together PM Vishwakarma beneficiaries, representatives of Gram Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies, Common Service Centres and Village Level Entrepreneurs, besides other stakeholders. An exhibition featuring stalls showcasing products made by local artisans and craftspeople will also provide them an avenue to display and sell their products and connect with wider markets.

Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17, 2023, the PM Vishwakarma Scheme seeks to provide end-to-end institutional support to traditional artisans and craftspeople engaged in 18 identified trades. The scheme combines recognition, skill development, modern tools, concessional credit and market support with the objective of improving productivity, income and entrepreneurial potential.

The comprehensive support package includes PM Vishwakarma certificates and identity cards, skill upgradation, toolkit incentives, credit support, incentives for digital transactions and marketing assistance.

According to the ministry, around 24.50 lakh Vishwakarmas have so far received Basic Skill Training from the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

Under the credit component, 6.18 lakh Vishwakarmas have received loan support of up to Rs 1 lakh at a concessional interest rate of 5 per cent per annum, with the total sanctioned support amounting to Rs 5,297 crore.

The scheme has also facilitated the delivery of 18.15 lakh modern toolkits to Vishwakarmas at their doorsteps through India Post. The initiative is aimed at helping artisans adopt improved tools and enhance the quality and productivity of their work.

West Bengal onboarded the PM Vishwakarma Scheme in May 2026 and has so far recorded 3,000 beneficiaries who have successfully completed the three-stage verification process. Skill training is currently being imparted to registered beneficiaries in the state.

As part of the Kolkata anniversary programme, PM Vishwakarma beneficiaries will receive certificates for scheme registration, Basic Skill Training, loans and toolkits. The event is also expected to spotlight the traditional skills, products and entrepreneurial potential of participating artisans.

The third anniversary comes as the government continues its efforts to preserve traditional skills while equipping artisans with modern tools and knowledge, facilitating access to institutional credit and markets, and supporting them in building sustainable livelihoods and developing their enterprises.