PM Vishwakarma scheme crosses 30 lakh registrations, ₹5,297 crore disbursed
Synopsis
Three years in, PM Vishwakarma has reached 30 lakh registrations and disbursed ₹5,297 crore in concessional loans — but the bigger signal is West Bengal joining the scheme, opening 7 lakh pending applications to formal credit and skill infrastructure for the first time.
Key Takeaways
30 lakh beneficiaries have registered under the PM Vishwakarma scheme as of 18 September 2026 .
Around 24.50 lakh have received basic skill training; 18.15 lakh modern toolkits delivered via India Post .
6.18 lakh artisans have received loans up to ₹1 lakh at 5% per annum , totalling ₹5,297 crore .
The scheme was launched by PM Narendra Modi on 17 September 2023 to support traditional craftspeople.
West Bengal joined the scheme recently; more than 7 lakh applications received from the state.
The PM Vishwakarma scheme has registered 30 lakh beneficiaries since its launch, with ₹5,297 crore in concessional loans disbursed to traditional artisans and craftspeople across India, Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Jitan Ram Manjhi said on 18 September 2026. The announcement was made at a third anniversary event held at Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium in Kolkata.
Key Milestones Reached
Of the 30 lakh registered beneficiaries, around 24.50 lakh have completed basic skill training under the scheme. Additionally, 18.15 lakh modern toolkits have been delivered through India Post, while 6.18 lakh Vishwakarmas have received loans of up to ₹1 lakh each at a concessional interest rate of 5 per cent per annum, amounting to a cumulative disbursement of ₹5,297 crore.
What the PM Vishwakarma Scheme Offers
Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 17 September 2023, the PM Vishwakarma scheme was designed to empower India's traditional artisans and craftspeople through a combination of skill training, modern toolkit provisioning, affordable credit, and market linkage support. The scheme targets professions such as blacksmiths, carpenters, cobblers, potters, and weavers — trades that have historically lacked access to formal financial infrastructure.
West Bengal Joins the Scheme
The third anniversary event in Kolkata carried particular significance, as it marked the first MSME Ministry programme under PM Vishwakarma in West Bengal, which joined the scheme recently. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari addressed the gathering and noted that more than 7 lakh applications have already been received from the state. He pledged that the state government would accelerate the provisioning of facilitative support to help beneficiaries access scheme entitlements.
What Ministers Said
Union Minister of State for MSME Shobha Karandlaje congratulated enrolled beneficiaries and urged them to fully utilise the opportunities available under the scheme. She emphasised that empowering women entrepreneurs would play a 'vital role in building stronger families, communities and a prosperous Viksit Bharat.' Karandlaje called on registered artisans to channel scheme support toward building sustainable entrepreneurial ventures.
What Happens Next
With West Bengal now formally integrated into the scheme's implementation framework, the focus will shift to converting its 7 lakh applications into active disbursements. The Centre's emphasis on credit delivery, toolkit supply through India Post, and skill certification suggests the scheme will continue scaling through the current financial year. Industry observers note that reaching underserved artisan communities in eastern and northeastern India remains the next frontier for PM Vishwakarma's outreach.
Point of View
But the more telling figure is the credit gap: only 6.18 lakh of 30 lakh registered beneficiaries have actually received loans, suggesting the scheme's financial inclusion pipeline still reaches fewer than one in five enrolled artisans. West Bengal's belated entry — years after the scheme's national launch — also raises questions about federal coordination. The real test will be whether the state's 7 lakh pending applications translate into disbursements at the same pace as the rest of the country, or whether they stall at the facilitation stage as has happened in other welfare schemes targeting informal workers.
NationPress
18 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PM Vishwakarma scheme?
The PM Vishwakarma scheme is a Central government initiative launched on 17 September 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to support traditional artisans and craftspeople. It provides skill training, modern toolkits, concessional credit up to ₹1 lakh at 5% interest per annum, and market linkage support.
How many beneficiaries have registered under PM Vishwakarma so far?
As of 18 September 2026, 30 lakh beneficiaries have registered under the scheme. Of these, around 24.50 lakh have received basic skill training and 6.18 lakh have availed concessional loans totalling ₹5,297 crore.
What is West Bengal's role in the PM Vishwakarma scheme?
West Bengal joined the PM Vishwakarma scheme recently and has already received more than 7 lakh applications from artisans and craftspeople. The third anniversary event held in Kolkata was the first MSME Ministry programme under the scheme in the state.
What is the interest rate on loans under PM Vishwakarma?
Loans under the PM Vishwakarma scheme are offered at a concessional interest rate of 5 per cent per annum, with individual beneficiaries eligible for loans up to ₹1 lakh. A total of ₹5,297 crore has been disbursed to 6.18 lakh beneficiaries so far.
Which ministry oversees the PM Vishwakarma scheme?
The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) oversees the PM Vishwakarma scheme. Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje both addressed the scheme's third anniversary event in Kolkata on 18 September 2026.
