PM Vishwakarma Scheme: 30 lakh artisans empowered in 3 years; learn how to get a collateral-free loan of ₹3 lakh..

PM Vishwakarma Scheme: September 17, 2026, will mark the completion of three years since the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana. Launched on September 17, 2023, with the aim of making traditional artisans and craftspeople self-reliant, the scheme has successfully achieved its target of registering 30 lakh (3 million) beneficiaries.

Based on the principles of 'Respect, Capability, and Prosperity' (Samman, Samarthya, and Samriddhi), the scheme provides artisans engaged in 18 traditional trades across the country with training, stipends, modern toolkits, and collateral-free loans of up to ₹3 lakh at concessional rates.

Let us look at the progress made by the scheme over the past three years and how ordinary artisans can avail themselves of its benefits.

First, let us understand the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana:

The government has allocated a budget of ₹13,000 crore for this central scheme for the financial years 2023-24 to 2027-28. Under this scheme, beneficiaries receive the following facilities:

Official Recognition: A PM Vishwakarma Certificate and an Identity Card are issued following registration and verification.

Free Training and Stipend: Basic training of 5–7 days and advanced training of 15 days or more are provided. A daily stipend of ₹500 is given during the training period.

Toolkit Voucher of ₹15,000: Artisans who complete the skill training receive financial assistance of ₹15,000 to purchase modern tools.

Collateral-free Loan of up to ₹3 Lakh

First Tranche: A loan of up to ₹1 lakh after basic training (for a tenure of 18 months).

Second Tranche: An additional loan of ₹2 lakh after repaying the first loan and adopting digital transactions (for a tenure of 30 months).

Interest Rate: This loan is available at a concessional interest rate of just 5%, while the government itself bears the remaining 8% interest subsidy. Digital and Marketing Incentives: A cashback of ₹1 per digital transaction (up to a maximum of 100 transactions per month). Additionally, beneficiaries are linked to major platforms like Amazon, ONDC, GeM, and Dilli Haat for product sales.

Who can avail of this benefit?

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and engaged in manual, tool-based work within one of the 18 notified traditional trades (e.g., carpenter, blacksmith, potter, cobbler, mason, barber, tailor, tool-maker, etc.). The applicant must be self-employed in the unorganized sector.

Benefits under the scheme are available to only one family member (spouse and unmarried children). Government employees and their family members are ineligible. Furthermore, individuals who have availed benefits under other central credit schemes (such as Mudra or SVANidhi) in the last five years are ineligible unless they have fully repaid their previous loans.

Registration and Selection Process

Direct online application by individuals is not permitted; applicants must apply through the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC). The process involves three-level verification:

Level 1: Verification at the Gram Panchayat or Urban Local Body (ULB) level.

Level 2: Recommendation by the District Implementation Committee.

Level 3: Final approval by the Screening Committee.

Upon approval, artisans are issued an Enterprise Registration Number and certificate, thereby integrating them into the formal MSME ecosystem.

Report Card: Last 3 Years

Training and Toolkits: Over 24.37 lakh artisans have completed basic skill training, and more than 18.16 lakh artisans have received toolkits.

Loan Disbursement: Loans worth ₹5,316 crore—comprising over 6.19 lakh individual loans—have been sanctioned under the scheme so far. Market and E-commerce Support: Over 30,000 Vishwakarma beneficiaries have been linked to e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Meesho, ONDC, and GeM. Artisans achieved record sales exceeding ₹2 crore at the national exhibition held at Dilli Haat.

Special Initiatives: Under the 'One Station One Product' (OSOP) scheme, stalls have been allocated to *Divyang* (differently-abled) Vishwakarma artisans at railway stations across 14 states. Additionally, stalls showcasing their products have been set up at Bhopal and Chandigarh airports, as well as in 5-star hotels like Taj and Radisson.

If you or any artisan you know is associated with any of these 18 traditional craft trades, this scheme offers an excellent opportunity to transform their skills into a thriving business—without the need for middlemen or collateral. Register today by visiting your nearest Common Service Centre (CSC).

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Money Control. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.