PM Vishwakarma
Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana
PM Vishwakarma Yojana was launched on 17 September 2023 (Vishwakarma Jayanti) to provide formal recognition and comprehensive support to India's traditional artisans — the carpenters, blacksmiths, goldsmiths, potters, cobblers, tailors, and 12 other crafts that form the backbone of India's cultural manufacturing ecosystem.
**The 5-Component Support Package:**
1. **Recognition**: PM Vishwakarma Certificate + ID Card — official government recognition as a skilled artisan. This ID card enables access to all scheme benefits and serves as proof of artisan status.
2. **Skill Training**: 5–7 days basic training + optional 15-day advanced training at nearest skill training centre. Stipend of ₹500/day during training. Training covers both traditional skills improvement AND digital tools (digital payments, GeM registration, e-commerce basics).
3. **Toolkit Incentive**: ₹15,000 e-voucher for purchasing modern, trade-specific tools from approved vendors. The e-voucher is credited to your PM Vishwakarma account and redeemed with approved vendors. This modernises the artisan's workshop.
4. **Credit Support**: Collateral-free loan at just 5% interest rate:
- 1st tranche: ₹1 lakh — after enrolment and basic training
- 2nd tranche: ₹2 lakh — after full repayment of 1st tranche
- Total access: ₹3 lakh at 5% (market rate for small loans is 18%–36%)
5. **Market Linkage**: Registration on Government e-Marketplace (GeM), onboarding for e-commerce platforms, trade fair participation, and brand promotion support.
**Digital Transaction Incentive:**
₹1 per digital transaction (UPI/card) credited to your PM Vishwakarma account — up to 100 transactions per month for 1 year = up to ₹1,200/year. This incentivises artisans to move to cashless transactions.
**The Loan at 5% — How it Works:**
The actual bank rate is higher (9%–12%), but the Government of India pays the interest subvention to bring your effective rate to 5%. You repay at 5%; the government pays the balance to the bank. After full repayment of ₹1 lakh, you are eligible for the ₹2 lakh 2nd tranche — rewarding repayment discipline.
Key Objectives
- Provide formal recognition to traditional artisans with government-backed PM Vishwakarma identity.
- Modernise artisans' tools and skills to improve product quality and productivity.
- Provide access to affordable collateral-free credit at 5% — replacing high-cost informal loans.
- Integrate artisans with formal markets: GeM, e-commerce platforms, trade fairs.
- Support 30 lakh artisans across 18 trades over 5 years.
Benefits
Eligibility
- Self-employed artisan working with hands and tools in one of the 18 specified trades
- Must be 18 years or older
- Only one family member per household eligible
- Must register through Common Service Centre (CSC) — no direct online registration
- Must not have availed PMEGP, PM Mudra, or PM SVANidhi loans in the last 5 years
- Must not be a registered MSME enterprise with 5+ workers
- Not a government employee or income tax payer
- Not currently employed in a formal salaried job
- Factory owners employing 5+ workers (formal MSME enterprises)
- Government employees, income tax payers
- Those who took PMEGP/MUDRA/SVANidhi loan in last 5 years
- Artisans not in the 18 specified trade categories
How to Apply
Step 1: Locate nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) — use pmvishwakarma.gov.in or CSC locator
Step 2: Visit CSC with Aadhaar and mobile number (biometric verification at CSC)
Step 3: CSC operator registers you on the PM Vishwakarma portal — select your trade
Step 4: Gram Panchayat (rural) or ULB/municipality (urban) verifies your artisan credentials
Step 5: District Implementation Committee (DIC) approves registration
Step 6: PM Vishwakarma Certificate and ID card issued (download from portal or collect at CSC)
Step 7: Enrol in skill training at nearest Skill Development Centre — ₹500/day stipend starts
Step 8: After training, apply for ₹15,000 toolkit e-voucher on the portal
Step 9: Apply for ₹1 lakh loan through partner bank listed on the portal
Step 10: Activate digital payment (UPI) to start earning ₹1/transaction incentive
Step 11: Get registered on GeM portal for government procurement opportunities
Required Documents
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 18 trades covered under PM Vishwakarma?
Carpenter (Suthar/Badhai), Boat Maker (Naav Nirman), Armourer (Aayudh Smith), Blacksmith (Lohar), Hammer and Tool Kit Maker, Locksmith, Goldsmith (Sonar), Potter (Kumhar), Sculptor/Stone Carver, Cobbler/Shoemaker (Mochi/Charmakar), Mason (Raj Mistri), Basket/Mat/Broom/Coir Maker, Doll/Toy Maker (Puttali), Barber (Naai), Garland Maker (Malakaar), Washerman (Dhobi), Tailor (Darzi), and Fishing Net Maker.
Can I apply for PM Vishwakarma online myself?
No. PM Vishwakarma registration is done ONLY through a Common Service Centre (CSC) — biometric verification via Aadhaar is mandatory at the CSC. There is no self-registration on the website. Find your nearest CSC at locator.csccloud.in or search 'Jan Seva Kendra near me'.
How is the ₹15,000 toolkit incentive given?
The ₹15,000 toolkit incentive is provided as an e-voucher (digital voucher) credited to your PM Vishwakarma account. You can only use it to purchase specific pre-approved tools for your trade from MSME-approved vendors listed on the portal. It cannot be withdrawn as cash. This ensures the money is spent on tools rather than consumed as income.
I am a tailor who already has a Mudra Shishu loan (taken 3 years ago). Can I apply for PM Vishwakarma?
No — not yet. The eligibility condition is that you must not have availed PMEGP, PM Mudra, or PM SVANidhi loans in the last 5 years. Your Mudra loan was 3 years ago, so you need to wait 2 more years (5 years from loan disbursal date) before applying for PM Vishwakarma.
What is the interest rate on PM Vishwakarma loans?
The interest rate is 5% per annum — one of the lowest rates available for small business loans in India. The actual bank rate is higher (around 12%), but the Government pays the difference as interest subvention. You only pay 5% on your repayment schedule. There is no collateral required for either tranche.
How do I access the ₹2 lakh second tranche of the PM Vishwakarma loan?
To access the ₹2 lakh 2nd tranche: (1) fully repay the ₹1 lakh 1st tranche within 18 months; (2) your repayment track record is reviewed by the bank; (3) apply for the 2nd tranche through the same partner bank. There is no separate fresh application process — it flows from the 1st tranche account. Timely repayment of the 1st tranche is the only condition.
Does PM Vishwakarma help with selling products? How does the GeM linkage work?
Yes. After receiving the PM Vishwakarma Certificate, you can register as a seller on GeM (Government e-Marketplace) under the 'Artisan' category. Government departments and PSUs buy directly from GeM — your pottery, furniture, garments, or crafts can be sold to central and state government buyers without any middleman. PM Vishwakarma also facilitates trade fair participation and e-commerce platform onboarding (Flipkart, Amazon's local artisan programmes).