Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Jitan Ram Manjhi on Sunday inaugurated the PM Vishwakarma Haat 2026 at Dilli Haat, INA, marking a significant step towards strengthening market access for traditional artisans from across the country.
The exhibition has been organised by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and was inaugurated in the presence of Minister of State for MSME and Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje. Ambassadors from Iraq and Rwanda, senior officials of the Ministry, representatives of States and Union Territories, artisans, and other stakeholders were also present at the event.
Addressing the gathering, Jitan Ram Manjhi highlighted the achievements of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme and described the Haat as a valuable platform for artisans from village-level backgrounds to sell their products directly to consumers. He said the initiative reflects the vision of empowering traditional craftspeople by linking them with markets and enabling them to contribute meaningfully to national development. He also underlined the cultural and economic significance of Vishwakarma traditions and said the scheme is helping artisans integrate with the formal economy under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Shobha Karandlaje said the PM Vishwakarma initiative has achieved important milestones and noted that more than 117 artisans from various States and Union Territories are participating in the 2026 edition of the Haat. She said the platform connects village artisans to wider markets and opens pathways to global exposure. According to her, these outcomes are the result of sustained efforts by the Government of India and focused implementation by the Ministry of MSME.
Secretary, Ministry of MSME S C L Das described PM Vishwakarma as a transformative initiative that embodies the idea of Virasat se Vikas. He said the diverse skills and craftsmanship on display demonstrate how traditional knowledge is being preserved and advanced through institutional support and market linkage.
Additional Secretary and Development Commissioner, Ministry of MSME Rajneesh said Vishwakarmas are emerging as key engines of economic growth. He outlined the benefits of the scheme and explained how it is expanding marketing and income-generation opportunities for artisans across sectors.
The PM Vishwakarma Haat 2026 is being held at Dilli Haat from January 18 to January 31 and will remain open to the public daily from 10:30 am to 10:00 pm. The exhibition features handcrafted products, live craft demonstrations, and immersive cultural experiences reflecting the theme Vishwakarma Ka Abhiyaan Viksit Bharat Ka Nirman. Cultural programmes and folk dance performances based on the traditions of Bihar and Rajasthan have added vibrancy to the event.
With participation from more than 117 artisans representing all States and Union Territories, the Haat offers a pan-India showcase of traditional crafts. It aims to celebrate India’s rich heritage while enabling artisans to access contemporary markets.
The Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Scheme provides comprehensive support to traditional artisans, including issuance of a PM Vishwakarma identity card and certificate, skill training with a stipend of ₹500 per day, and a toolkit incentive of up to ₹15,000. Beneficiaries are eligible for collateral-free loans of up to ₹3 lakh and incentives for adopting digital transactions. The scheme also offers marketing assistance through branding, packaging, and e-commerce enablement, strengthening the long-term sustainability of artisan livelihoods.
