PM Vishwakarma Scheme Completes Three Years, 30 Lakh Artisans Registered

Prime Minister Vishwakarma Scheme (PMWS) has set a new dimension for India’s rural and urban artisans in the past three years.

Launched in 2023, the scheme was initiated to provide artisans with training, financial assistance, and marketing platforms. To date, more than 30 lakh artisans have registered, which is below the scheme’s target of 40 lakh, but the figure reflects the growing trend of rural entrepreneurship. Registered artisans receive a grant of up to 1.5 lakh rupees, bank loan facilities, and the benefit of listing their products on a digital marketplace.

Thanks to these benefits, many artisans have transformed their handicrafts into large‑scale production. Employment opportunities have increased particularly in textiles, woodwork, metalwork, and pottery. Additionally, the digital skills training program under the scheme has equipped artisans with the technical knowledge required for online sales, thereby not only boosting their income but also invigorating economic activity in rural areas.

However, some challenges remain. Bureaucratic hurdles in the registration process, limited financial awareness, and a lack of digital literacy keep some artisans from accessing the scheme’s benefits. The government plans to establish regional artisan centres and provide assistance services through a mobile app to address these issues. In the future, the goal is to bring the number of artisans under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme to 50 lakh, thereby strengthening rural employment and self‑reliance.