Syllabus:

GS-2: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections. 

Context: 

Recently, The Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman Yojana i.e., PM Vishwakarma Scheme has completed two years. 

PM Vishwakarma Scheme 

• About the Scheme: It is a Central Sector Scheme launched on 17 September, 2023 by Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. The scheme was initially implemented for five years up to 2027-28.

• Objective: 

• It was launched to uplift the lives of these artisans and craftsperson by enhancing their skills and increasing the reach of their products and services. 
• It aims to provide end-to-end holistic support to artisans and craftspeople for their respective trades. 

• Implementing Agency: The scheme is jointly implemented by the following Ministries/Departments:

• Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME).
• Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
• Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance (MoF).

• Key Features:

• District Project Management Units (DPMUs): DPMUs are appointed in almost all districts to spread awareness about scheme benefits, inform Vishwakarmas on training schedules and centres, coordinate with stakeholders, and monitor centres for guideline compliance.
• Credit Support: Under the scheme, to support Vishwakarmas, collateral-free ‘Enterprise Development Loans’ are provided. 
• The credit assists them in business expansion and also frees them from the reliance on unregulated moneylenders who charge high interest.
• Toolkit Incentive: The government provides with financial incentive of ₹15,000 in the form of an e-voucher to help the artisans and craftsperson so that they can purchase quality tools for their trade.

• Eligibility: 

• The beneficiary should be working with bare hands and tools.
• Engaged in one of the mentioned 18 family-based traditional trades.
• Involved in the unorganized sector or self-employment basis. 
• Minimum age should be 18 years on the date of registration. 
• No loans should have been availed under a similar credit-based scheme of the Central/State government for self-employment/business development in the past 5 years.  
• The benefit of the scheme shall be restricted to one member of the family only. 
• The person/family member should not be employed in government service. 

Achievements of the Scheme

• The scheme in 2 years is on the path of achieving its 5-year target of 30 lakhs proposed beneficiaries. 
• As on 31 August 2025, there are around 30 lakhs registered artisans and craftsmen, with skill verification completed for over 26 Lakhs beneficiaries, out of which around 86% them have completed their basic training. 
• Over 23 lakh e-vouchers have been issued as toolkit incentives to equip skilled workers and promote modern technologies.
• More than 4.7 lakhs loans have been approved, including both the trenches, with ₹41,188 crore as the value of the total loans. 

Sources:
PIB
DD News
Business-Standard