PM Vishwakarma Yojana [UPSC Notes]: Benefits, Eligibility Criteria and Application Process

PM Vishwakarma Yojana Scheme: The scheme is launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the informal or unorganised section of society. The artisans and craftspeople who are engaged in occupations such as blacksmith, goldsmith, potters, carpenters, sculptors, etc. These artisans and craftspeople are often referred to as "Vishwakarmas.”. 

PM Vishwakarma Yojana 

This yojana/scheme will be implemented for 5 years up to 2027-28 and it will be fully funded by the Government of India with an initial outlay of Rs 13000 crore. The scheme will be implemented by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME), the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance (MoF), Government of India. 

MP Vishwakarma Yojayana will enable the upgrade of the skills and get suitable training opportunities. It will also provide better modern tools to enhance Vishwakarma’s capability, productivity and product quality. The Yojana will also provide easy access to collateral-free credit.  

PM Vishwakarma Yojana to provide a platform for brand promotion and market linkages to help beneficiaries access new opportunities for growth.

PM Vishwakarma Yojayna Scheme: Trades Covered

Check the table below for traditional trades that will be initially covered under PM Vishwakarma for providing benefits to the artisans and craftspeople.

PM Vishwakarma Yojana: Benefits

PM Vishwakarma Yojana seeks to preserve and promote India’s rich heritage of traditional crafts while enabling artisans to achieve sustainable livelihoods. Some of the benefits of the scheme is listed below

Certificate and ID Card: The scheme will recognise each individual through a certificate and ID card. Each Vishwakarma will get a unique digital number, which will be reflected on their certificate and ID card. 

Skill Upgradation: The yojana will aim at enhancing the capabilities of traditional artisans and craftspeople. The intervention will consist of skill assessment, skill training and advanced training.

Skill Assessment: It will be done for registered beneficiaries to ascertain their skill level. This will be a simple, short and computer-based/physical activity and this will proceed with the basic training. 

Basic Training: Basic Training will be conducted for a duration of 40 hours, which will be done over 5-7 days at identified skill centres in district HQ/neighbouring districts. It will provide the expertise of industry, associations, community organisations and those existing in the MSDE ecosystem.  

Beneficiaries will get exposure to modern tools and designs, introduction to the larger value chain of the sector; digital, financial, and soft skills; and imbibed with marketing and entrepreneurial knowledge.

Advanced Training: The beneficiaries who are interested in further training can enrol in Advanced Training, which will be conducted for 15 days/120 hours at designated training centres. 

Stipend: Each beneficiary will be eligible to receive a training stipend of Rs 500 per day while undergoing basic and advanced training. 

Toolkit Incentive: A toolkit incentive of up to Rs 15000 will be given to the beneficiary at the start of basic training in the form of e-RUPI or e-Vouchers that can be utilised at designated centres. 

Credit Support: The candidates who have completed the basic training will be eligible to get the credit support of up to Rs 1 lakh, and beneficiaries who have undergone advanced training and repaid the first trenche amount will be eligible to get another Rs 2 lakh in send trenche. Check the table below for details

PM Vishwakarma Yojana: Eligibility Criteria

An artisan or craftsperson working with specified traditional trades in the unorganised and informal sector on a self-employment basis shall be eligible for registration and the minimum age should be 18 years. 

• The registration of beneficiaries is restricted to one member of the family, which is defined as the husband, wife and unmarried children. 
• A person in the government service and his/her family members are not eligible. 
• The beneficiary should be engaged in the trades concerned on the date of registration and should not have availed loans under similar credit-based schemes of Central Government or State Government for self-employment/business development, e.g., PMEGP, PM SVANidhi, MUDRA, in the past 5 years. However, the beneficiaries of MUDRA and SVANidhi who have fully repaid their loan will be eligible under PM Vishwakarma. This period of 5 years will be calculated from the date of sanction of the loan.

Also Check Other Schemes, 

PM Vishwakarma Yojana: Online Application Process

MoMSME, in association with CSC (Common Service Centre), will be responsible for enrolling the beneficiaries with the Aadhaar authentication.

There shall be no fee or charge for enrolment under PM Vishwakarma. The entire cost of enrolment through CSC, registration and issue of a certificate /ID card under the scheme shall be borne by the government.

Steps for the registration process will be as follows:

(i) The registration shall be done by seeking applications through Common Service Centres (CSCs) or open online applications through the Aadhaar-based biometrically authenticated PM Vishwakarma portal. 

(ii) The beneficiary can apply either directly or with the help of the CSCs through Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) or Enumerators.

The verification and approval will be given at three levels

• Verification at Gram Panchayat or ULB Level
• At the district Level
• Final approval by screening committee 

Check the table below for the details of each level verification done