Why the Scheme Matters
PM Vishwakarma is explicitly designed to integrate informal, family-based artisans into India’s formal MSME ecosystem. Beneficiaries are onboarded onto the Udyam Assist Platform as recognized entrepreneurs, which is often the first formal economic identity these artisans have ever held, a step that can matter as much as the loan itself for long-term access to credit and government tenders.
Who Runs PM Vishwakarma?
The scheme is jointly implemented by three central bodies: the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME) as the nodal ministry; the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), which runs the training component; and the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, which oversees the credit and banking side. A National Steering Committee (NSC) sets policy, state-level committees manage implementation locally, and registration itself happens through Common Service Centres (CSCs), not directly through any of these ministries.
The 18 Eligible Trades
Direct Answer: PM Vishwakarma currently covers 18 traditional, family-based trades, ranging from carpentry and blacksmithing to tailoring and mason work. Only applicants working in one of these trades, with their hands and tools, in the unorganized sector, can register.
- Carpenter (Suthar/Badhai)
- Boat Maker
- Armourer
- Blacksmith (Lohar)
- Hammer and Tool Kit Maker
- Locksmith
- Goldsmith (Sonar)
- Potter (Kumhaar)
- Sculptor (Moortikar, stone carver) / Stone Breaker
- Cobbler (Charmkar) / Shoesmith / Footwear Artisan
- Mason (Rajmistri)
- Basket/Mat/Broom Maker / Coir Weaver
- Doll & Toy Maker (Traditional)
- Barber (Naai)
- Garland Maker (Malakaar)
- Washerman (Dhobi)
- Tailor (Darzi)
- Fishing Net Maker
The list can be expanded by the National Steering Committee with Ministry approval; check the official portal if your trade is closely related but not explicitly named.
What Benefits Does PM Vishwakarma Offer?
Direct Answer: PM Vishwakarma bundles six benefits: official recognition (certificate + ID card), paid skill training, a toolkit incentive of up to ₹15,000, collateral-free loans up to ₹3 lakh, a digital transaction incentive, and marketing/branding support, delivered as one connected package rather than separate schemes an artisan has to apply for individually.
| Benefit | What It Includes |
|---|---|
| Recognition | PM Vishwakarma Certificate and ID Card, issued digitally and physically, confirming formal artisan status. |
| Skill Upgradation | Basic Training (5–7 days / 40 hours) and optional Advanced Training (15+ days / 120+ hours), both paid. |
| Toolkit Incentive | Up to ₹15,000 as an e-voucher to buy modern tools, issued after skill verification at the start of Basic Training. |
| Credit Support | Collateral-free Enterprise Development Loans up to ₹3 lakh across two tranches, at 5% concessional interest |
| Digital Transaction Incentive | Digital Transaction Incentive ₹1 credited per eligible digital transaction, capped at 100 transactions a month. |
| Marketing Support | Quality certification, branding, and e-commerce onboarding (GeM, ONDC) via the National Committee for Marketing |
Loan Details: How Much Can You Borrow, and at What Rate?
Direct Answer: PM Vishwakarma offers collateral-free loans of up to ₹3 lakh in total, split into two tranches, ₹1 lakh first, then ₹2 lakh, both at a fixed 5% interest rate, with the government covering an 8% interest subvention directly to the bank so the artisan’s effective rate stays low.
| Detail | 1st Tranche | 2nd Tranche |
|---|---|---|
| Loan amount | Up to ₹1,00,000 | Up to ₹2,00,000 |
| Repayment tenure | 18 months | 30 months |
| Interest rate charged to borrower | 5% p.a. (fixed) | 5% p.a. (fixed) |
| Eligibility to access | After completing Basic Training | After completing Basic Training |
| Collateral / guarantor required | None | None |
There is no processing fee, no security deposit, and the credit guarantee fee is borne by the Government of India, not the borrower. The second tranche is not sanctioned before 6 months from the first tranche’s disbursement.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Direct Answer: Any Indian citizen aged 18 or older, working with their hands and tools in one of the 18 listed trades on a self-employment basis in the unorganized sector, can apply, provided they are still actively engaged in that trade, have not availed a similar government self-employment loan (like PMEGP, MUDRA, or PM SVANidhi) in the past 5 years, and are not a government employee.
- Must be at least 18 years old on the date of registration.
- Must be working with hands and tools in one of the 18 specified trades, in the unorganized sector, on a self-employment basis.
- Must be actively engaged in the trade at the time of registration.
- Only one member per family (defined as husband, wife, and unmarried children) can register.
- Beneficiaries of MUDRA or PM SVANidhi who have fully repaid those loans remain eligible.
Who Is NOT Eligible
- Anyone who has availed a loan under PMEGP, MUDRA, or PM SVANidhi in the past 5 years and has not fully repaid it.
- Government employees and their immediate family members.
- A second applicant from the same family once one member is already registered.
- Anyone not actively working in one of the 18 listed trades, related but unlisted trades (e.g., electrician, beautician, mobile repair) do not qualify unless the trade list is formally expanded.
| Eligible | Not Eligible |
|---|---|
| Self-employed artisan in one of the 18 listed trades | Artisan in a trade not on the official 18-trade list |
| Age 18+ on date of registration | A second family member applying after one is already registered |
| Never availed PMEGP/MUDRA/SVANidhi, or fully repaid it | Currently holding an unpaid PMEGP, MUDRA, or SVANidhi loan |
| Working in the unorganized/informal sector | Government employees or their immediate family |
Step-by-Step Registration and Application Process
- Confirm your trade and eligibility. Check that your craft is one of the 18 listed trades and that you meet the age, family, and prior-loan conditions above.
- Gather your documents. You will typically need Aadhaar, a mobile number linked to Aadhaar, a bank account, and proof of your trade (this can vary slightly by state/CSC; confirm locally).
- Visit your nearest Common Service Centre (CSC). Registration is not a self-service online process; it requires Aadhaar-based biometric authentication at a CSC.
- Complete Aadhaar e-KYC and fill the artisan registration form with the CSC operator’s help.
- Go through the verification stages. Applications typically move through a local-body-level recommendation, followed by vetting from the District Implementation Committee, and final approval from a Screening Committee.
- Receive your PM Vishwakarma Certificate and Digital ID Card once approved.
- Complete Basic Training (5–7 days) to unlock the toolkit incentive and become eligible for the first loan tranche.
- Apply for the first loan tranche (up to ₹1 lakh) through a partner bank or financial institution once training is complete.
- Repay the first tranche, adopt digital transactions or complete advanced training, and apply for the second tranche (up to ₹2 lakh) once eligible.
Skill Training and Stipend
Basic training runs 5–7 days (about 40 hours) and covers trade-specific skills, tool usage, and basic digital and business literacy. Advanced Training, which is optional but unlocks the second loan tranche pathway, runs 15 days or more (120+ hours) and goes deeper into entrepreneurship and modern techniques. Beneficiaries are paid a stipend of ₹500 per day for both, so training doesn’t come at the cost of a day’s income.
Toolkit Incentive
After skill verification at the start of Basic Training, eligible artisans receive a toolkit incentive of up to ₹15,000, delivered as an e-voucher rather than cash, specifically to procure modern, trade-appropriate tools.
Digital Transaction Incentive
To encourage artisans to move toward digital payments, the scheme credits ₹1 per eligible digital transaction, up to a maximum of 100 transactions a month, paid directly into the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-linked account through the Aadhaar Payment Bridge System (APBS).
Marketing Support
Beyond funding, the scheme’s National Committee for Marketing (NCM) provides quality certification, branding support, and onboarding onto e-commerce platforms such as GeM and ONDC, along with trade fair and export-promotion opportunities, aimed at connecting artisans to buyers beyond their immediate local market.
Common Mistakes Applicants Make
| Mistake | Why It Happens | How to Avoid It |
|---|---|---|
| Trying to register directly online | Assuming it works like other DBT schemes | Trying to register directly online Assuming it works like other DBT schemes Registration requires Aadhaar biometric verification at a CSC — there is no self-service online signup |
| Applying for a trade not on the 18-trade list | Assuming any traditional craft qualifies | Applying for a trade not on the 18-trade list Assuming any traditional craft qualifies Check your trade against the official 18-trade list before visiting a CSC |
| A second family member applying after one is registered | Not realizing the one-per-family rule | Confirm whether anyone in your immediate family (spouse, unmarried children) is already registered |
| Applying with an unpaid PMEGP/MUDRA/SVANidhi loan | Not checking prior-loan eligibility rules first | Fully repay any existing similar government loan before applying, or wait until it's cleared |
| Paying a CSC operator extra for registration | Assuming a facilitation fee is required | Report any unofficial charges to the helpline — CSC registration itself carries no scheme-mandated fee |
| Applying for the 2nd loan tranche too early | Assuming both tranches can be accessed together | The 2nd tranche is only available after the 1st is fully repaid and at least 6 months have passed |
Scheme Progress So Far
As official government trackers reported, PM Vishwakarma had registered around 30 lakh artisans against its 2028 target, with roughly 24 lakh having completed basic training, about 18 lakh having received their toolkit, and over 6 lakh loan applications sanctioned. These figures update frequently as more artisans register and progress through training and credit stages, so treat them as a general sense of scale rather than a current snapshot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PM Vishwakarma?
PM Vishwakarma is a Government of India Central Sector Scheme that gives traditional artisans and craftspeople in 18 specified trades formal recognition, paid skill training, a toolkit grant, and collateral-free loans of up to ₹3 lakh at 5% interest, run by the Ministry of MSME.
Who is eligible for PM Vishwakarma?
Any Indian citizen aged 18 or above, working with hands and tools in one of the 18 listed trades in the unorganized sector on a self-employment basis, who hasn’t taken a similar unpaid government loan (PMEGP/MUDRA/SVANidhi) in the past 5 years and isn’t a government employee.
How much loan can I get under PM Vishwakarma?
Up to ₹3 lakh total, split into two tranches: ₹1 lakh first (18-month repayment), then ₹2 lakh (30-month repayment) after the first is fully repaid and at least 6 months have passed.
What is the interest rate on the PM Vishwakarma loan?
A fixed 5% per annum for both tranches. The Government of India provides an 8% interest subvention directly to the lending bank, which is why the borrower’s effective rate stays low despite the loan being collateral-free.
Is there an application fee?
There is no scheme-mandated application fee for registration or the loan. If a CSC operator asks for an unofficial charge beyond any standard service fee, it should be reported through the official helpline.
Can I apply for PM Vishwakarma online myself?
No. Registration requires Aadhaar-based biometric authentication and is done in person at a Common Service Centre (CSC); there is no direct self-service online signup, though you can check your status online afterward.
How much is the toolkit incentive, and when do I get it?
Up to ₹15,000, provided as an e-voucher after skill verification at the start of basic training, meant specifically for purchasing modern tools.
Can more than one person from the same family apply?
No. Registration and benefits are restricted to one member per family, where family is defined as husband, wife, and unmarried children.
Conclusion
PM Vishwakarma is one of the more comprehensive support packages available to India’s traditional artisans, precisely because it doesn’t stop at a loan, it bundles recognition, paid training, tools, credit, and market access into one connected process. The trade-off for that scope is a registration process that requires an in-person CSC visit rather than a quick online form, and eligibility rules (one member per family, prior-loan restrictions, and the 18-trade list) that are worth checking carefully before you make the trip.
If your trade is on the list and you meet the eligibility conditions, the most useful next step is visiting your nearest Common Service Centre with your Aadhaar and basic trade proof, since registration itself can only happen there, and confirming any state-specific document requirements or current scheme numbers directly on the official portal before you go.
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