MSME Ministry Organises Mega Conclave on PM Vishwakarma and National SC-ST Hub in Bodh Gaya

Introduction

The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) organised a Mega Conclave on PM Vishwakarma and National SC-ST Hub (NSSH) at Bodh Gaya, Bihar, to commemorate the second anniversary of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme. The event highlighted the achievements of flagship MSME schemes, showcased products made by artisans and craftspeople, distributed financial assistance and toolkits to beneficiaries, and witnessed the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad and the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) to strengthen implementation of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme.

ANALYSIS

The Mega Conclave demonstrates the Government's integrated approach towards artisan empowerment, entrepreneurship promotion, social inclusion, and MSME development by bringing together beneficiaries of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), and the National SC-ST Hub (NSSH) on a common platform.Organised to mark two years of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, the conclave served as an interface between policymakers, implementing agencies, financial institutions, technical organisations, and beneficiaries. More than 2,500 beneficiaries participated in the event, while 100 exhibition stalls displayed products manufactured by artisans and craftspeople, providing opportunities for market exposure and direct sales.The Government highlighted the rapid expansion of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme since its launch on 17 September 2023. According to the Ministry, nearly 30 lakh artisans have registered under the scheme, of whom around 23 lakh have received free skill training. Approximately 8 lakh toolkits have been distributed through India Post, while collateral-free loans worth ₹4,100 crore have been sanctioned to nearly 5 lakh artisans, reflecting the scheme's emphasis on improving productivity and access to institutional finance.The conclave also highlighted Bihar's performance under the scheme. The State has registered around 1.62 lakh artisans, of whom 1.05 lakh have completed skill training. Nearly 19,000 beneficiaries have received loans amounting to approximately ₹160 crore. A noteworthy feature is the inclusive nature of implementation, with over 92% of beneficiaries belonging to SC, ST and OBC communities, while women constitute around one-third of total beneficiaries. In Gaya district, 735 artisans have received loans worth ₹7 crore.An important institutional outcome of the conclave was the signing of MoUs with the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, and the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA). These partnerships are expected to strengthen implementation of PM Vishwakarma through design innovation, product development, branding, market linkages, capacity building, entrepreneurship support, and institutional strengthening.Besides financial assistance, the conclave also focused on capacity building. Technical sessions on marketing, branding, packaging, and business development were organised to improve market competitiveness of traditional artisans. Distribution of loan sanction letters, toolkits, sewing machines, and margin money assistance under PMEGP further demonstrated convergence among various MSME support programmes.Overall, the event reflects the Government's strategy of combining skill development, technology, finance, design support, institutional partnerships, and market access to strengthen India's traditional artisan ecosystem while promoting inclusive entrepreneurship.

Major Highlights

PM Vishwakarma: National Progress

PM Vishwakarma: Bihar Performance

Significance

The Mega Conclave is expected to:

• Strengthen implementation of PM Vishwakarma.
• Promote traditional artisans and craftspeople.
• Improve access to institutional credit.
• Enhance design, branding and packaging capabilities.
• Increase market access through exhibitions.
• Promote inclusive entrepreneurship among SC, ST, OBC and women artisans.
• Strengthen institutional collaboration through MoUs.

STATIC PART

PM Vishwakarma Scheme

Launched

• 17 September 2023

Nodal Ministry

• Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME)

Objective

• Support traditional artisans and craftspeople.
• Promote skill upgradation.
• Improve access to collateral-free credit.
• Provide toolkit incentives.
• Strengthen branding and marketing.
• Enhance productivity and incomes.

Major Components

• Skill Training
• Toolkit Incentive
• Collateral-free Credit
• Digital Transaction Incentive
• Marketing Support
• Quality Certification

National SC-ST Hub (NSSH)

Nodal Ministry

• Ministry of MSME

Objective

• Promote entrepreneurship among SC/ST enterprises.
• Facilitate market access.
• Improve capacity building.
• Provide vendor development support.
• Increase participation in public procurement.

Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP)

Nodal Ministry

• Ministry of MSME

Implementing Agency

• Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) (National Level)

Objective

• Generate self-employment opportunities.
• Establish micro-enterprises.
• Promote entrepreneurship.
• Support rural and urban employment generation.

Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)

Established

• 1957

Administrative Ministry

• Ministry of MSME

Headquarters

• Mumbai

Major Functions

• Promotion of khadi and village industries.
• Rural employment generation.
• Entrepreneurship promotion.
• Implementation of PMEGP.

National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad

Established

• 1961

Institution of National Importance

• Under the National Institute of Design Act, 2014

Administrative Ministry

• Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Functions

• Design education.
• Product innovation.
• Design research.
• Industrial design.
• Capacity building.

Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA)

Established

• 1979

Location

• Anand, Gujarat

Objective

• Rural management education.
• Rural development research.
• Institution building.
• Cooperative management.
• Sustainable rural livelihoods.

Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

Headquarters

• New Delhi

Union Minister

• Jitan Ram Manjhi

Minister of State

• Shobha Karandlaje

Major Functions

• Promotion of MSMEs.
• Entrepreneurship development.
• Skill development.
• Credit facilitation.
• Cluster development.
• Technology upgradation.
• Promotion of traditional industries.

Updated – 17 September 2025; 09:02 PM | PIBNews Source:

Press Information Bureau (PIB)