The Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana (PM Vishwakarma), launched on September 17, 2023, is a flagship initiative by the Government of India aimed at empowering traditional artisans and craftspeople across the country. Recognizing the invaluable contribution of these individuals to India’s rich cultural heritage and economy, the scheme offers financial assistance, skill development, and various other benefits to enhance their livelihoods.
Objectives of PM Vishwakarma Yojana
The primary goal of the PM Vishwakarma Yojana is to improve the quality, scale, and reach of products and services offered by traditional artisans and craftspeople. By providing financial support and skill training, the government aims to:
- Enhance Productivity: Equip artisans with modern tools and training to increase efficiency.
- Promote Sustainable Practices: Encourage eco-friendly methods in traditional crafts.
- Expand Market Access: Facilitate better market linkages for artisans to sell their products.
Key Features of the Scheme
- Financial Assistance: Artisans can avail of collateral-free loans up to ₹3,00,000 in two tranches—₹1,00,000 in the first tranche and ₹2,00,000 in the second—at a concessional interest rate of 5% per annum.
- Skill Development: Beneficiaries receive both basic and advanced training, with a stipend of ₹500 per day during the training period.
- Toolkit Incentive: A financial aid of ₹15,000 is provided for the purchase of modern tools to enhance productivity.
- Digital Transactions Incentive: To promote digital literacy, artisans are incentivized for conducting digital transactions.
- Recognition: Upon successful registration, artisans receive a PM Vishwakarma Certificate and ID Card, acknowledging their skills and facilitating access to scheme benefits.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the PM Vishwakarma Yojana, applicants must:
- Be traditional artisans or craftspeople engaged in one of the 18 identified trades, such as carpentry, blacksmithing, pottery, tailoring, and goldsmithing.
- Be at least 18 years old at the time of registration.
- Not have availed of loans under other credit-based government schemes like PMEGP or MUDRA in the past five years, unless fully repaid.
Application Process
Artisans interested in availing of the benefits under the PM Vishwakarma Yojana can register through the following steps:
- Visit a Common Service Center (CSC): Applicants should approach the nearest CSC with their Aadhaar card and other necessary documents.
- Aadhaar Authentication: The CSC operator will assist in completing the Aadhaar-based authentication process.
- Registration on the Portal: After authentication, the operator will register the artisan on the official PM Vishwakarma portal pmvishwakarma.gov.in.
- Verification: Submitted details and documents will undergo verification.
- Issuance of Certificate and ID: Upon successful verification, artisans will receive the PM Vishwakarma Certificate and ID Card.
Progress and Impact
As of January 1, 2025, the PM Vishwakarma Yojana has benefited over 2.65 crore artisans across various trades. The scheme has been instrumental in uplifting the socio-economic status of traditional craftspeople by providing them with the necessary tools, training, and financial support to thrive in a modern economy.
Conclusion
The Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana represents a significant step towards recognizing and empowering the traditional artisans of India. By offering comprehensive support encompassing financial aid, skill development, and market access, the scheme aims to preserve India’s rich artisanal heritage while ensuring sustainable livelihoods for millions of craftspeople.
For more detailed information and updates, artisans and stakeholders are encouraged to visit the official PM Vishwakarma Yojana portal at pmvishwakarma.gov.in.