The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has opened the Shilp Samagam Mela 2026 in Mysuru, Karnataka, running from October 11 to 19. The event provides a marketplace for traditional handicrafts and handloom products made by artisans from economically disadvantaged communities who receive support from the ministry’s three national corporations.
The fair brings together 83 stalls, with 80 allocated to artisans including 37 women, at the Mysuru Dasara Exhibition Grounds. It represents the first such mela organised by the ministry during the financial year 2026-27.
Key facts
- Event dates: October 11 to October 19, 2026
- Location: Mysuru Dasara Exhibition Grounds, Mysuru, Karnataka
- Total stalls: 83, with 80 for artisans
- Women artisans: 37 out of 80
- States represented: 12, including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, Puducherry, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh
- Cumulative beneficiaries since 2022: 975 artisans through 13 previous fairs
- Future melas planned in 2026-27: Guwahati, Delhi’s Dilli Haat, Jodhpur and Lucknow
Who benefits from this fair
The mela targets artisans who belong to Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes and Safai Karamcharis (sanitation workers). These artisans are supported through three national corporations under the ministry: the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), the National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) and the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC).
Products on display
The mela showcases a diverse range of traditional Indian crafts and products. These include handicraft items, handloom sarees such as Kanjivaram varieties, spices, pickles, incense sticks, honey products, block-printed textiles, leather goods, wooden toys, bags and purses, terracotta items, artificial jewellery, rosewood wall hangings, and bed and cushion covers. Food stalls serving traditional regional delicacies have also been set up for visitors.
How the ministry supports artisan participation
The ministry removes financial barriers to participation by providing free stalls to all artisans. It also covers travel expenses, daily allowances, transportation of goods, and meals including lunch and dinner. This support ensures that artisans can display and sell their work without incurring personal expenses related to the fair.
Beyond the fair: Bharat Tulip programme
The ministry has introduced a complementary initiative called Bharat Tulip (Traditional Artisans’ Upliftment Livelihood Programme) to expand market access beyond physical fairs. Under this scheme, products are branded as Bharat Tulip to increase visibility and enable online sales on digital platforms within India and internationally. The programme aims to preserve traditional art forms while providing sustainable livelihood opportunities through expanded market channels.
Information about ministry schemes
The Shilp Samagam Mela also serves as a platform where the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and its three national corporations can disseminate information about their schemes and programmes. Visitors and artisans can learn about available assistance and development opportunities for eligible beneficiaries, encouraging greater participation in government support mechanisms.
What this means for you
If you are an artisan from a Scheduled Caste, Other Backward Class or Safai Karamchari background, the Shilp Samagam Mela network provides cost-free access to regional markets to sell your products. If you are a consumer interested in authentic traditional crafts, these fairs offer direct access to makers across India without intermediaries.
The Bharat Tulip branding offers artisans an additional avenue to reach customers online, potentially expanding their earnings beyond local markets.
What happens next
The ministry plans to organise additional Shilp Samagam Melas in Guwahati, Delhi’s Dilli Haat, Jodhpur and Lucknow during 2026-27. The ministry and its national corporations will also participate in the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from November 14 to 27, 2026, and the Surajkund Mela in Faridabad in February 2027, providing further platforms for artisan exposure and sales.