The PM Vishwakarma Yojana is a Central Sector Scheme launched on 17th September 2023 by the Government of India. Its main objective is to provide comprehensive support to traditional artisans and craftspeople, particularly those engaged in manual and tool-based trades.
The scheme aims to uplift these artisans by offering financial assistance, skill upgradation, digital incentives, and market linkages, ensuring their integration into the formal economy and the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector.
Why was the PM Vishwakarma Yojana Introduced?
India has a rich heritage of traditional crafts and artisanal skills, but many artisans work in the unorganized sector with limited access to modern tools, formal recognition, and financial support. The PM Vishwakarma Yojana was introduced to address these challenges by:
- Providing financial support through collateral-free loans.
- Offering modern tools and equipment to improve productivity.
- Recognizing artisans through certificates and IDs.
- Enhancing digital literacy and market access.
- Promoting inclusive economic growth and social empowerment.
Who is Eligible for the PM Vishwakarma Yojana?
The scheme specifically targets traditional artisans and craftsmen engaged in 18 identified trades. Eligibility criteria include:
- Age: Above 18 years.
- Profession: Active engagement in one of the 18 eligible family-based traditional trades such as carpentry, blacksmithing, pottery, tailoring, and more.
- Employment Status: Must not have availed loans under PMEGP, MUDRA, or PM SVANidhi in the past five years, except those fully repaid.
- Family Limit: Only one member per family (husband, wife, unmarried children) is eligible.
- Exclusion: Government employees and their family members are not eligible.
The list of eligible trades may be updated by the National Steering Committee (NSC) with approval from the Ministry of MSME.
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What are the Key Components of the PM Vishwakarma Yojana?
The scheme offers multiple benefits designed to empower artisans and craftspeople. The key components are:
1. Recognition and Certification
Artisans enrolled in the scheme receive a PM Vishwakarma Certificate and ID Card. This formal recognition allows them access to all scheme benefits and helps establish their identity as skilled craftsmen.
2. Skill Upgradation
The scheme provides structured training programs to enhance the skills of artisans:
- Basic Training: Lasts for 5-7 days (40 hours), covering modern tool usage, digital transactions, and marketing skills. Participants receive a stipend of Rs 500 per day.
- Advanced Training: Spans over 15 days or more, focusing on entrepreneurship, advanced techniques, business expansion, and technology adoption. A daily stipend of Rs 500 is also provided.
3. Toolkit Incentive
To modernize their work, artisans receive up to Rs 15,000 through e-RUPI or e-vouchers for purchasing modern tools. The incentive aims to improve productivity, product quality, and efficiency.
4. Credit Support
The PM Vishwakarma Yojana offers collateral-free loans known as Enterprise Development Loans:
| Tranche | Loan Amount (Rs.) | Repayment Term (Months) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Up to 1 lakh | 18 |
| 2nd | Up to 2 lakh | 30 |
Interest is subsidized at 5% with additional interest subvention up to 8% provided by the Government of India. The credit guarantee fees are borne by the government, ensuring ease of access to finance for artisans.
5. Digital Transaction Incentives
Artisans receive Re. 1 per digital transaction for up to 100 transactions per month. This encourages digital literacy and integration into modern financial systems.
6. Market and Business Support
A corpus of Rs 250 crore is allocated for marketing activities, including quality certification, branding, advertising, and publicity. Artisans can also onboard onto e-commerce platforms such as GeM to expand their market reach.
7. Integration with Formal Economy
Beneficiaries are registered through Common Service Centres (CSCs) using Aadhaar-based biometric authentication on the official PM Vishwakarma portal. This facilitates their integration into the formal MSME ecosystem.
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How is the PM Vishwakarma Yojana Implemented and Monitored?
The scheme follows a structured implementation framework to ensure transparency and efficiency:
| Committee | Function |
| National Steering Committee (NSC) | Apex body constituted by Ministry of MSME for policy decisions, scheme modifications, and overall monitoring; meets at least twice a year. |
| State Monitoring Committee (SMC) | Oversees operational implementation at the state level; bridges NSC and district-level execution. |
| District Implementation Committee (DIC) | Handles field-level rollout, coordinates with state authorities, ensures effective execution. |
| Credit Oversight Committee | Chaired by Secretary (DFS); includes representatives from Ministry of MSME, Ministry of Expenditure, RBI, SIDBI, CGTMSE; monitors loan disbursement, ensures credit flow, reviews interest subvention limits. |
| Executing Agencies | Ministry of MSME, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Department of Financial Services (DFS); jointly implement the scheme. |
| Monitoring Mechanisms | PMUs: Track implementation nationally and at state level. OMS: Dashboards track fund utilization and beneficiary outcomes. Regular Reviews: NSC and SMC review for accountability and effectiveness. |
What is the Financial Outlay and Duration of the Scheme?
The PM Vishwakarma Yojana is planned for five years (FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28) with a total financial outlay of Rs 13,000 crore. This fund covers all aspects of the scheme, including training, credit support, toolkit incentives, and marketing assistance.
What is the Impact of the PM Vishwakarma Yojana?
The impacts of the PM Vishwakarma Yojana are as follows:
| Aspect | Description |
| Economic Empowerment | Provides access to credit, modern tools, and skill training, enhancing productivity and earning capacity; fosters entrepreneurship and business scalability. |
| Cultural Preservation | Sustains traditional crafts while integrating modern skills, promoting heritage conservation and economic viability. |
| Social Inclusion and Gender Equity | Benefits women artisans, particularly in rural areas; supports marginalized communities like SCs and STs, promoting inclusivity and equitable growth. |
| Formalization of MSMEs | Onboards artisans into the Udyam Assist Platform, integrating them with formal MSMEs and strengthening the formal economy. |
| Alignment with “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat” | Supports self-reliance by promoting traditional livelihoods and entrepreneurial spirit, contributing to a resilient national economy. |
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Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Details |
| Launch Year | 2023 |
| Scheme Type | Central Sector Scheme |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of MSME |
| Target Group | Traditional artisans and craftsmen, 18+ years, 18 identified trades |
| Training | Basic (5-7 days), Advanced (15+ days), Rs 500/day stipend |
| Toolkit Incentive | Up to Rs 15,000 via e-RUPI/e-voucher |
| Credit Support | Collateral-free loans: 1st tranche Rs 1 lakh, 2nd tranche Rs 2 lakh, interest 5% |
| Digital Incentive | Re.1 per transaction, up to 100 per month |
| Market Support | Rs 250 crore corpus for branding, certification, e-commerce onboarding |
| Financial Outlay | Rs 13,000 crore over 5 years |
| Implementation Framework | NSC, SMC, DIC, Credit Oversight Committee, PMUs, OMS |
| Social Impact | Economic empowerment, cultural preservation, gender equity, formalization of MSMEs |
Questions Based on PM Vishwakarma Yojana
- When was the PM Vishwakarma Yojana launched?
- A) 2022
- B) 2023
- C) 2021
- D) 2020
- E) 2019
- Which ministry is the nodal ministry for the PM Vishwakarma Yojana?
- A) Ministry of Rural Development
- B) Ministry of Labour
- C) Ministry of MSME
- D) Ministry of Culture
- E) Ministry of Finance
- What is the total financial outlay of the scheme?
- A) Rs 10,000 crore
- B) Rs 12,000 crore
- C) Rs 13,000 crore
- D) Rs 15,000 crore
- E) Rs 20,000 crore
- How many trades are covered under the scheme?
- A) 15
- B) 18
- C) 20
- D) 25
- E) 10
- What is the stipend for basic and advanced training?
- A) Rs 200/day
- B) Rs 300/day
- C) Rs 400/day
- D) Rs 500/day
- E) Rs 600/day
- What is the maximum amount of collateral-free loan under the 2nd tranche?
- A) Rs 50,000
- B) Rs 1 lakh
- C) Rs 2 lakh
- D) Rs 3 lakh
- E) Rs 5 lakh
- What is the digital transaction incentive under the scheme?
- A) Re. 1 per transaction, up to 50 per month
- B) Re. 1 per transaction, up to 100 per month
- C) Rs 5 per transaction
- D) Rs 10 per transaction
- E) None
- Which platform helps integrate artisans into the formal MSME ecosystem?
- A) GeM
- B) Udyam Assist Platform
- C) PMEGP Portal
- D) MUDRA
- E) Skill India Portal
- What is the corpus allocated for marketing and publicity support?
- A) Rs 100 crore
- B) Rs 200 crore
- C) Rs 250 crore
- D) Rs 300 crore
- E) Rs 500 crore
- Which committee oversees the assured flow of credit to beneficiaries?
- A) State Monitoring Committee
- B) National Steering Committee
- C) Credit Oversight Committee
- D) District Implementation Committee
- E) Ministry of Finance
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Answer Key
| Question No. | Answer |
| 1 | B) 2023 |
| 2 | C) Ministry of MSME |
| 3 | C) Rs 13,000 crore |
| 4 | B) 18 |
| 5 | D) Rs 500/day |
| 6 | C) Rs 2 lakh |
| 7 | B) Re. 1 per transaction, up to 100 per month |
| 8 | B) Udyam Assist Platform |
| 9 | C) Rs 250 crore |
| 10 | C) Credit Oversight Committee |
FAQs
Ans: The PM Vishwakarma Scheme, launched on September 17, 2023, aims to empower artisans and craftspeople engaged in preserving cultural heritage. It provides holistic support to those involved in 18 specific trades known as ‘Vishwakarmas’.
Ans: Key features include training and skill development, toolkit incentives, credit support, issuance of PM Vishwakarma Certificate and ID Card, market linkage support, and encouragement for digital transactions.
Ans: The PM Vishwakarma Scheme has a budget of Rs. 13,000-15,000 crore over five years (2023-2028), reflecting the government’s commitment to supporting traditional crafts and artisans.
Ans: Applicants must be 18 years or older and engaged in hands-on craftsmanship or artisan work within family-centric traditional trades in the unorganized sector.
Ans: Eligible artisans can apply by visiting the official Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana website and completing the online application process, which requires providing necessary details and documents like Aadhar card, proof of occupation, and bank account details.
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