The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has announced that the PM Vishwakarma Scheme has registered 30 lakh artisans in its first three years of operation. The scheme, which launched in September 2023, provides support to traditional craftspeople across 18 identified trades. The government will celebrate this milestone on 17 September 2026 in Kolkata, with Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari attending.
What the scheme has delivered so far
The PM Vishwakarma Scheme offers a package that includes official recognition through certificates and identity cards, skill training, modern tools, access to loans, and help with digital payments and marketing.
- 30 lakh artisans have completed the three-stage verification process and registered under the scheme
- 24.50 lakh Vishwakarmas have received basic skill training from the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
- 6.18 lakh artisans have received loans of up to one lakh rupees each at a concessional rate of 5 per cent per annum, totalling 5,297 crore rupees
- 18.15 lakh modern toolkits have been delivered to artisans through India Post
In West Bengal, the scheme onboarded in May 2026. Already, 3,000 beneficiaries have registered, and skill training is underway for them. The anniversary celebration in Kolkata will distribute certificates, training documents, loan papers and toolkits to beneficiaries.
What this means for you
If you are a traditional artisan or craftsperson in one of the 18 covered trades, the scheme offers a clear pathway to modernise your skills and access formal credit at lower rates than conventional bank loans. The toolkit and training help you work more efficiently, while certificates give your work formal recognition. The scheme also connects you to wider markets through its marketing support, giving you a chance to expand beyond your local area and earn better income.