The Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, will celebrate the Third Anniversary of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme on 17th September 2026 at the Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium, Kolkata, West Bengal. The event will mark three years of the implementation of the Scheme aimed at providing comprehensive and end-to-end support to traditional artisans and craftspeople and strengthening their livelihoods and entrepreneurial capabilities.

Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi, Union Minister for MSME, Government of India, along with Shri Suvendu Adhikari, Chief Minister of West Bengal, will grace the occasion in the august presence of Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, Minister of State for MSME, Government of India. Shri Dipak Barman, Minister-in-Charge, Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises & Textiles (MSME&T), Government of West Bengal, and Shri Ashok Dinda, Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Textiles, Government of West Bengal, will also grace the event.

Senior officials from the Ministry of MSME, Government of India, including representatives of the Office of the Development Commissioner (MSME), Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC), and India Post, will also participate in the event.

The event will be attended by PM Vishwakarma beneficiaries, representatives of Gram Panchayats/Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), Common Service Centres (CSCs)/Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs), and other stakeholders. An exhibition featuring various stalls showcasing products of local artisans and craftspeople will also be organised, providing them with a platform for the display and sale of their products.

Three Years of PM Vishwakarma

The PM Vishwakarma Scheme was launched by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 17th September 2023 with the objective of providing end-to-end support to traditional artisans and craftspeople engaged in 18 identified trades. The Scheme seeks to strengthen the traditional skills of Vishwakarmas by providing them with institutional support, modern tools, access to finance, skill upgradation and market linkages, thereby enabling them to enhance their productivity, income and entrepreneurial potential.

The Scheme provides a comprehensive package of support comprising recognition through PM Vishwakarma certificates and identity cards, skill upgradation, toolkit incentive, credit support, incentives for digital transactions and marketing support.

In a significant milestone achieved within three years of its launch, 30 lakh beneficiaries have been registered under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme after completion of the prescribed three-stage verification process, thereby achieving the registration target under the Scheme. Around 24.50 lakh Vishwakarmas have also been provided Basic Skill Training by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

Under the credit component of the Scheme, 6.18 lakh Vishwakarmas have been provided loan support of up to ₹1 lakh at a concessional interest rate of 5% per annum, amounting to ₹5,297 crore. Further, 18.15 lakh modern toolkits have been delivered to Vishwakarmas at their doorsteps through India Post, helping artisans adopt improved tools and enhance the quality and productivity of their work.

PM Vishwakarma in West Bengal

The Government of West Bengal decided to onboard the Scheme in May 2026. Already, 3,000 beneficiaries have successfully registered after completing the three-stage verification process. Skill training is currently being imparted to the registered beneficiaries.

The Third Anniversary celebrations in Kolkata will also feature the distribution of PM Vishwakarma certificates, Basic Skill Training certificates, loan certificates and toolkits to beneficiaries. The event will provide an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the achievements of Vishwakarmas and highlight the impact of the Scheme at the grassroots level.

The celebrations will also showcase the traditional skills, products and entrepreneurial potential of artisans and craftspeople, providing them a platform to connect with wider markets and opportunities.

The Third Anniversary of PM Vishwakarma marks an important milestone in the Government’s continued efforts to preserve and promote traditional skills, equip artisans with modern tools and knowledge, facilitate access to institutional credit and markets, and enable Vishwakarmas to build sustainable livelihoods and emerge as successful entrepreneurs.

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Sunil Kumar Tiwari

Email - hipessi[at]gmail[dot]com