The Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises marked three years of the Prime Minister Vishwakarma scheme with celebrations in Kolkata. The programme, which began on 17 September 2023, has now registered 30 lakh traditional artisans and craftspeople across India. West Bengal joined the scheme in May 2026 and hosted the anniversary event.
What the scheme has delivered so far
Since its launch, PM Vishwakarma has supported traditional artisans through multiple forms of assistance. Around 24.50 lakh beneficiaries have completed basic skill training. The scheme has distributed 18.15 lakh modern toolkits through India Post to help artisans upgrade their work. In terms of credit support, 6.18 lakh Vishwakarmas have received loans of up to one lakh rupees each at a concessional interest rate of 5 per cent per annum, totalling 5,297 crore rupees.
In West Bengal specifically, the state has received more than 7 lakh applications under the scheme. During the Kolkata event, PM Vishwakarma certificates, toolkits and cheques of one lakh rupees each were distributed to eligible artisans from the state.
The scheme aims to empower Vishwakarmas through four main channels: skill training, provision of modern tools, access to institutional credit and linkages to markets. Officials described it as a programme to help rural entrepreneurs transition to establishing their own enterprises.
What this means for you
If you are a traditional artisan or craftsperson in trades like carpentry, metalwork or textiles, this scheme offers structured support to improve your skills and access credit without high interest rates. West Bengal’s recent entry means the state will now actively push registrations and provide full support to eligible artisans. The distribution of toolkits and loans signals that the government is moving beyond training towards actual business enablement.