State PCS - Bihar (BPSC)

• 18 Sep 2025

Mega Conclave on PM Vishwakarma in Bihar

Why in News?

The Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, organized the PM Vishwakarma and National SC-ST Hub Mega Conclave to commemorate the second anniversary of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme.

• The event aimed at empowering traditional artisans and craftsmen, fostering entrepreneurship, and showcasing the achievements of the scheme.
• The Ministry of MSME signed agreements with the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, and the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) to strengthen the PM Vishwakarma Scheme.

PM Vishwakarma Scheme 

• About: PM Vishwakarma is a Central Sector Scheme launched on 17th September 2023, to provide comprehensive support to traditional artisans and craftspeople engaged in manual and tool-based work.  
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME).
• Eligibility: 
  • The applicant must be an artisan or craftsperson working with hands and tools in one of the 18 family-based traditional trades in the unorganized sector on a self-employment basis. 
  • He/she must be above 18 years at the time of registration and must be actively working in the trade at registration. 
  • He/she should not have availed loans under Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), MUDRA, PM SVANidhi in the past 5 years, except those who have fully repaid. 
  • Only one member per family (husband, wife, and unmarried children) can benefit. 
  • Government employees and their family members are not eligible. 
• Eligible Trades: 
  • 18 eligible trades include Carpenter, Boat Maker, Armourer, Blacksmith, Hammer and Tool Kit Maker, Locksmith, Goldsmith, Potter, Sculptor, Stone breaker, Cobbler/ Shoesmith/Footwear artisan, Mason, Basket/Mat/Broom Maker/Coir Weaver, Doll & Toy Maker, Barber, Garland maker, Washerman, Tailor, and Fishing Net Maker. 
    • The list can be updated and modified by the National Steering Committee with the approval of the Ministry for MSME. 
• Key Features: 
  • Recognition: Beneficiaries receive PM Vishwakarma Certificate & ID Card, enabling access to all scheme benefits. 
  • Skill Upgradation: 
    • Basic Training (40 hours over 5-7 days, Rs 500/day stipend): Covers skill enhancement, modern tool usage, digital transactions, and marketing. 
    • Advanced Training (15 days, Rs 500/day stipend): Focuses on entrepreneurship, modern technology, and business expansion. 
  • Toolkit Incentive: Up to Rs 15,000 provided via e-RUPI/e-vouchers for modern tool procurement, improving productivity, and product quality. 
  • Credit Support: Collateral-free loans of Rs 1 lakh (1st tranche) and Rs 2 lakh (2nd tranche) in the form of ‘Enterprise Development Loans’ with interest subvention to promote business growth.
• Implementation: 
  • National Steering Committee (NSC): The NSC shall be the Apex Committee constituted by the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises.  
    • The NSC will be empowered to take all major policy and strategy decisions with respect to the implementation of the Scheme and approve any modifications required in the Scheme, like the inclusion of further categories of trades.  
  • State Monitoring Committee (SMC):  The SMC shall be responsible for the operational implementation and monitoring of the Scheme at the state level; it will also act as a bridge between the NSC and the field-level setup. 
  • District Implementation Committee (DIC):  The DIC shall be responsible for the actual roll–out and implementation of the Scheme at the field level and will coordinate with the State Government and other committees.