The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is running a nine-day craft and handloom fair called Shilp Samagam Mela 2026 in Mysuru, Karnataka, from October 11 to 19. The event provides a direct sales platform for traditional artisans and craftspeople from Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes and sanitation workers, enabling them to reach customers beyond their local areas.
Three national financial corporations under the ministry have jointly organised the mela: 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). These bodies provide loans and business support to eligible artisans and entrepreneurs from disadvantaged communities.
Key facts
- Location: Mysuru Dasara Exhibition Grounds, Karnataka
- Duration: October 11 to 19, 2026 (nine days)
- Total stalls: 83, of which 80 reserved for artisans
- Women artisans: 37 of the 80 artisan stalls
- Participating states and territories: 12, including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, Puducherry, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh
- Loan range: Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 35 lakh available to eligible beneficiaries under various schemes
- Ministry’s social welfare budget allocation: Rs 1.98 lakh crore out of total Union Budget of Rs 57 lakh crore
- Number of artisans benefited since 2022: 975 artisans through 13 melas so far
What products are on display
The fair features a wide range of traditional and handmade goods. Visitors can browse handicrafts, handloom sarees, block-printed textiles, leather goods, wooden toys, bags, purses, terracotta products, artificial jewellery, rosewood wall hangings, bed covers and cushion covers. The mela also includes stalls selling spices, pickles, incense sticks and honey products. Food stalls serve traditional regional dishes to visitors.
How artisans are supported
The Ministry bears all costs for artisan participation. This includes free stall allocation, travel expenses, daily allowance, transportation of goods and meals. The three national corporations provide concessional loans ranging from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 35 lakh to help artisans start or expand their businesses, subject to eligibility criteria set by each scheme.
The mela also functions as an information hub where artisans can learn about government welfare schemes, financial assistance programmes and entrepreneurship opportunities available to them.
Wider government support for artisans and disadvantaged communities
Beyond the mela, the Ministry runs schemes to support vulnerable sections. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana housing scheme, around four crore beneficiaries have received assistance nationwide, including approximately 10 lakh in Karnataka. The Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana financial inclusion scheme has opened 2,22,23,000 bank accounts in Karnataka alone.
In Mysuru district, approximately 13,000 students in Classes I to VIII and 31,000 post-matric students have received educational support. Around 75 per cent of the 7,000 students in 84 government hostels in the district belong to Scheduled Castes. Eligible students receive monthly stipends of Rs 1,850 for college and Rs 1,750 for high school.
Digital expansion through Bharat Tulip
The Ministry is also promoting Bharat Tulip, a Traditional Artisans’ Upliftment Livelihood Programme that helps artisans sell products online in India and internationally. Branding products under this initiative improves visibility, enables e-commerce sales and connects traditional craftspeople with a wider customer base.
What happens next
The Mysuru mela ends on October 19, 2026. The Ministry plans to organise additional Shilp Samagam Melas in Guwahati, Dilli Haat in New Delhi, Jodhpur and Lucknow during the financial year 2026-27. The Ministry will also participate in the India International Trade Fair 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from November 14 to 27, 2026, and the Surajkund Mela in February 2027.