PM Vishwakarma Scheme in West Bengal (2026): Rollout, 18 Trades, ₹3 Lakh Loan at 5% and How Kolkata Artisans Can Apply
PM Vishwakarma, the central scheme for traditional artisans launched on 17 September 2023, started being implemented in West Bengal in 2026 after the state government constituted its State Monitoring Committee and District Implementation Committees on 14 May 2026. Until then, applications from Bengal had stalled at the verification stage. Eligible artisans in 18 trades, from Kumartuli’s idol makers and Bowbazar’s goldsmiths to Metiabruz’s tailors, can get a certificate and ID card, paid training with a ₹500-a-day stipend, a ₹15,000 toolkit incentive, and collateral-free loans of ₹1 lakh and then ₹2 lakh at 5% interest. About 7.79 lakh artisans in the state had enrolled by May 2026. This guide explains who qualifies and how to apply or follow up.
PM Vishwakarma at a glance
| Benefit | What you get |
|---|---|
| Recognition | PM Vishwakarma certificate and ID card |
| Basic training | 5 to 7 days, with a stipend of ₹500 a day |
| Advanced training | 15 days or more, with the same stipend |
| Toolkit incentive | ₹15,000 as an e-voucher after basic training |
| First loan | Up to ₹1 lakh, collateral-free, at 5% interest |
| Second loan | Up to ₹2 lakh, after repaying the first, at 5% interest |
| Digital payments | A small incentive per digital transaction, up to a monthly limit |
| Marketing | Help with quality certification, branding, e-commerce and trade fairs |
Why the scheme was delayed in Bengal
PM Vishwakarma needs a three-stage check of each applicant: first by the gram panchayat or urban local body, then by a district committee, then by a state screening committee. Without state committees, Bengal’s applications could not move past the first stage. The new state government notified the committees on 14 May 2026, the MSME Ministry met the Chief Secretary on 22 May, and the Ministry confirmed in the Lok Sabha in July 2026 that implementation had begun.
The 18 eligible trades
- Carpenter (suthar)
- Boat maker
- Armourer
- Blacksmith (lohar)
- Hammer and tool kit maker
- Locksmith
- Goldsmith (sonar)
- Potter (kumhar)
- Sculptor, stone carver, stone breaker
- Cobbler, shoesmith, footwear artisan
- Mason (rajmistri)
- Basket, mat and broom maker, coir weaver
- Traditional doll and toy maker
- Barber (naai)
- Garland maker (malakar)
- Washerman (dhobi)
- Tailor (darzi)
- Fishing net maker
Who is eligible
- An artisan or craftsperson working with hands and tools in one of the 18 trades, on a self-employed basis.
- At least 18 years old on the date of registration.
- Engaged in the trade at the time of registration.
- Has not taken a loan under a similar central or state credit scheme for self-employment (such as PMEGP, PM SVANidhi or Mudra) in the past five years, unless it has been fully repaid in the case of Mudra and SVANidhi.
- Only one member of a family (husband, wife and unmarried children) can register.
- A person in government service, or their family members, cannot apply.
How to apply in West Bengal
- Register at a Common Service Centre (CSC): carry Aadhaar, a mobile number linked to Aadhaar, and bank details. Registration is done with Aadhaar biometric authentication on the PM Vishwakarma portal.
- Stage 1 verification: the gram panchayat head or the urban local body (KMC ward office in Kolkata) confirms that you work in the trade.
- Stage 2: the District Implementation Committee checks and recommends the application.
- Stage 3: the state Screening Committee approves it. You then receive the certificate and ID card.
- Training and toolkit: attend basic training, receive the stipend and then the ₹15,000 toolkit e-voucher.
- Loan: apply for the first ₹1 lakh tranche through the portal; the bank sanctions it at a concessional 5% rate, with the Government of India paying interest subvention and providing credit guarantee cover.
If you registered before May 2026 and nothing has happened, check your status on the portal and contact your ward office or BDO, because older applications in Bengal had been waiting for Stage 1 verification.
Getting the most from the loan
- Use the first tranche for tools, raw material or a workshop upgrade, and keep the bills. Banks ask for them before releasing the second tranche.
- Accept payments by UPI. The digital transaction incentive is small, but the record helps you qualify for the second loan and for other bank credit later.
- Once your business grows, register on Udyam, and take GST registration if you start selling across states or on e-commerce platforms.
- If your project needs more than ₹3 lakh, compare the West Bengal options, including the upcoming Banglar Udyam Credit Card.
FAQs
Is PM Vishwakarma available in West Bengal now?
Yes. The state formed its monitoring and implementation committees on 14 May 2026, and the MSME Ministry has confirmed implementation in West Bengal.
How much loan can I get under PM Vishwakarma?
Up to ₹3 lakh in two tranches: ₹1 lakh first and ₹2 lakh after repaying it, both collateral-free at 5% interest.
Is there any fee to register under PM Vishwakarma?
Registration at a CSC is free for the artisan. Do not pay agents who promise faster approval.
Can two members of the same family apply?
No. Only one member of a family, meaning husband, wife and unmarried children, can register.
Are Kumartuli idol makers eligible?
Potters, sculptors and traditional doll and toy makers are among the 18 trades, so most Kumartuli artisans working in clay and idols fall within the scheme if they meet the other conditions.
TAXAJ helps artisans and small businesses in Kolkata with registrations, bank loan documents and bookkeeping. Talk to our Kolkata team.
Last updated 11 November 2026. Sources: PM Vishwakarma scheme guidelines, Ministry of MSME; KNN India reports of 25 May 2026 and 24 July 2026 on the West Bengal rollout and committee formation; Lok Sabha written reply reported on 24 July 2026; Drishti IAS state current affairs, 24 July 2026. General information only; check the PM Vishwakarma portal for the current guidelines.
