What is the purpose of Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans?

Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans is a government welfare initiative designed to support Infra, Individual, Business Entity through benefits related to Business & Entrepreneurship, financial assistance, subsidies, social welfare, healthcare, education, or livelihood support.

Who can apply for Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans?

Eligibility for Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans may depend on factors such as income category, age, gender, occupation, state of residence, social category, and government-defined beneficiary criteria.

What benefits are offered under Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans?

Benefits under Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans may include financial assistance, subsidies, scholarships, insurance support, healthcare benefits, pension support, training assistance, or welfare services depending on the scheme guidelines.

Which department manages Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans?

Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans is managed by Industries and Commerce Department and may be implemented through district offices, online portals, CSC centres, banks, or authorised government agencies.

Can users apply online for Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans?

Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.

Is Aadhaar mandatory for Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans?

Many government schemes may require Aadhaar verification, identity proof, or linked bank account details for beneficiary validation and direct benefit transfer processing.

Where can users apply for Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans?

Applications for Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans may be submitted through government departments, official scheme portals, CSC centres, district offices, welfare departments, or authorised service centres.

What documents may be required for Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans?

Applicants may need Aadhaar card, income certificate, residence proof, bank account details, caste certificate, photographs, educational records, or occupation-related documents depending on scheme eligibility requirements.

Is Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans available in all states?

No, Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans is primarily available for eligible residents of Kerala and may be implemented through state government departments and local administrative offices.

Can residents outside Kerala apply for Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans?

Eligibility for Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans is generally limited to residents of Kerala unless otherwise specified in the official scheme guidelines.

Does Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans provide business loan or startup assistance?

Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans may support entrepreneurs, startups, self-employed individuals, MSMEs, or small businesses through financial assistance, subsidies, credit support, or training initiatives.

Is collateral required under Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans?

Collateral requirements may vary depending on the loan amount, implementing agency, financial institution, and government subsidy structure.

Can CSC centres help users apply for Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans?

Many government schemes may be accessible through nearby CSC centres, authorised digital service centres, or welfare facilitation offices.

How can users check the latest updates for Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans?

Users should verify official notifications, department announcements, application deadlines, and eligibility updates through authorised government portals or implementing agencies.

Can beneficiaries track application status for Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans?

Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.

Where can users get help for Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans in Kerala?

Users in Kerala may seek assistance through CSC centres, district welfare offices, government departments, agriculture offices, social welfare departments, or authorised facilitation centres.

Which nearby public services may help with Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans applications?

Depending on the scheme, users may require support from Aadhaar centres, CSC centres, banks, hospitals, post offices, or government welfare offices for document verification and application assistance.

Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans – eligibility, benefits & apply

Scheme profile

DBT (direct benefit transfer): No

Categories: Business & Entrepreneurship

Sub-categories: Setting up / start-up / entrepreneurship

Target beneficiaries: Individual, Business Entity

Tags: Handicraft, Artisan, ASHA, Financial Assistance, Enterprise, Entrepreneur

Details

The Government of Kerala has initiated the scheme “Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans (ASHA)” to provide financial assistance in the form of grants to the artisans in the handicrafts sector for setting up handicraft enterprises. The assistance is a one-time support to eligible artisans of the state as back-end assistance. The Scheme aims to replace the existing scheme and bring the artisans in the handicrafts sector under the ambit of a single scheme for availing financial assistance in the form of grant assistance for setting up handicraft enterprises.
For the purpose of this scheme, an artisan is a person who has been categorized as such by the office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Govt. of India or SURABHI, KSBC, KADCO, HDCK, KELPALM and has taken effective steps to set-up an enterprise in the handicrafts sector.

Objectives:

To provide extensive support to artisans in the handicrafts sector for setting up handicrafts-based micro-enterprises
To give one-time support(grant) to eligible artisans of the State as back-end assistance.

Benefits

1. Provides assistance for the Fixed Capital Investment i.e. construction of Work shed/Workshop cost of tools equipment machinery and accessories electrification
Technology support/product/Design development. 1. For General Category artisans assistance is 40% of the Fixed Capital Investment limited to ₹2.00 lakh. 1. For Young (18 to 45 years) Women and SC/ST artisans the assistance is 50% limited to ₹3.00 lakh. Note: The assistance under the ‘ASHA’ shall be released to the eligible artisan in one installment

Provides assistance for the Fixed Capital Investment, i.e. construction of Work shed/Workshop, cost of tools, equipment, machinery and accessories, electrification, Technology support/product/Design development.
For General Category artisans, assistance is 40% of the Fixed Capital Investment limited to ₹2.00 lakh.
For Young (18 to 45 years), Women, and SC/ST artisans, the assistance is 50% limited to ₹3.00 lakh.

Note: The assistance under the ‘ASHA’ shall be released to the eligible artisan in one installment.

Eligibility

All Micro Enterprises engaged in the handicraft sector and set up in the State, which had filed Entrepreneurs Memorandum Part-II with the respective General Manager, District Industries Centre, or have taken Udyog Aadhaar shall be eligible for assistance under the Scheme.
Note: Assistance to any unit which has already received any subsidy or grant earlier under any other schemes, from State or Central Government or Government Agencies shall be limited to the balance remaining eligible assistance payable under this scheme.

Obligations of the applicant artisans:

The applicant shall provide all required details and declare such information as to be true.
The applicant shall provide clarifications or further details sought by the recommending/ sanctioning authority.
The applicant shall allow inspection or verification of any details mentioned in the application including tools, equipment & accessories, and all other assets if so required by the recommending/sanctioning authority.
The applicant shall produce originals of any important documents if so required by the recommending/sanctioning authority for verification.
The applicant shall execute the requisite legal agreement on paper as and when the proposal is approved for implementation.
The applicant shall utilize the amount received only in the manner agreed upon.
The applicant shall operate the unit as stipulated in the agreement in which the quantum of support received failing which the assistance shall be resumed by resorting to the provisions of the Kerala Revenue Recovery Act.

How useful is this scheme?

Public benefit analysis

A practical look at this scheme for citizens

AI-generated insights showing how useful, accessible, and practical this scheme may be — combining deterministic scoring rules with a public-policy LLM analyst.

6.6

/ 10

Public Benefit Score

Accessibility 5.0/10 Moderate

Rural usefulness 5.0/10 Moderate

Application complexity 3.0/10 Good

Financial impact 9.0/10 Good

Literacy barrier 5.0/10 Moderate

Women inclusivity 8.0/10 Good

Awareness 4.5/10 Moderate

Implementation reliability 7.0/10 Good

Bigger shape means a better fit for citizens

Accessibility5.0
Financial impact9.0
Rural utility5.0
Awareness4.5
Simplicity7.0
Inclusivity8.0

What problem does this scheme solve?

The scheme provides essential financial support to artisans in the handicrafts sector, promoting entrepreneurship and self-sustainability.

Key challenges addressed

Lack of financial assistance for artisans
Need for structured support for handicraft enterprises

Most beneficial for

Young artisans
Women artisans
Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe artisans

Likely challenges

Complex application process for semi-literate individuals
Digital dependency may exclude non-tech-savvy artisans

Practical insights for citizens

Practical for those with some digital literacy and access to the internet.

Rural challenges

Limited internet access
Lack of awareness about the scheme

Digital challenges

Need for online application may exclude some artisans

Implementation bottlenecks

Verification process may delay disbursement

Awareness challenges

Low awareness among rural artisans

Application analysis

Application mode: Online portal
Verification complexity: Moderate
Office dependency: Low
DBT dependency: No
CSC support: Limited
Estimated citizen effort: Moderate

Estimated beneficiary reach

Rural / urban reach Moderate
Gender reach High
Occupation reach Handicraft artisans

Benefit analysis

Benefit type: Cash
Benefit frequency: One-time
Benefit practicality: Practical for setting up enterprises
Financial meaningfulness: Moderately meaningful for initial investment
Long-term impact: Potentially significant if enterprises are successfully established

Plain-language guidance

This scheme helps artisans in the handicraft sector by providing financial support to start their businesses. It is aimed at individuals and small enterprises in the handicraft industry.

Who should apply: Artisans looking to start or expand their handicraft business.
Who may struggle: Semi-literate individuals and those without internet access.
Best application route: Apply online through the Directorate of Industries & Commerce, Government of Kerala.

This intelligence section is generated by an AI policy analyst combined with rule-based scoring. Scores and narrative are estimates derived from the publicly available scheme information shown on this page; actual experience may vary by state, district, and department. Always confirm details on the official portal before you apply.

Application Process

Online

Step 01: Application can be submitted online through the Official website of the Directorate of Industries & Commerce, Government of Kerala. The applicant needs to visit the official website.
Step 02: The applicant may select the scheme “Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans” from the available Online Services listed on the home page and click on the “Apply Now” option. While clicking “Apply Now” redirected to the Login Page. If a new user uses the “New Registration” option and if already registered use the ‘Login’ option.
Step 03: A new user can register by filling in his/her details and after successful registration, the user can login.
Step 04: After successful login, the applicant reaches the “Applicant Home page” and clicks on “New Application” and then ‘Proceed’.
Step 05: Fill out the application form completely and click on ‘Submit’.
User Manual for Applicant’s Login

Clarifications

Additional points from the scheme information published on myScheme (not legal advice).

What is the aim of the scheme?: The Scheme aims to replace the existing scheme and bring the artisans in the handicrafts sector under the ambit of a single scheme for availing financial assistance in the form of grant assistance for setting up handicraft enterprises.
What is the objective of the scheme?: The objective of the scheme is to provide extensive support to artisans in the handicrafts sector for setting up handicrafts-based micro-enterprises and give one-time support (grant) to eligible artisans of the State as back-end assistance.
Which is the implementing department of this scheme?: Industries & Commerce Department, Government of Kerala
What does ‘Artisan’ mean?: An artisan is a person who has been categorized as such by the office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Govt. of India or SURABHI, KSBC, KADCO, HDCK, KELPALM and has taken effective steps to set-up an enterprise in the handicrafts sector.
What does ‘Enterprise’ mean?: An industrial unit falling under Micro category under the MSMED Act 2006 and having filed EM Part -II or Udyog Aadhaar.
What does “Women enterprise” mean?: An enterprise in which at least 50% of the promoters are women artisans.
What does “Young artisan” mean?: An artisan between the age of 15 and 45. In case of more than one artisan, then to be eligible for assistance under this Scheme, all the artisans shall be between the age of 18 and 45. At the time of filing application for assistance under ASHA. the artisan(s) should have attained 18 years of age as on the 1st April of the concerned financial yew and should not have attained 45 years of age as on the 1st April of the concerned financial year.
What does “Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe entrepreneur” mean?: An artisan belonging to Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes under The Constitution Amendment (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1050/ The institution Amendment (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950 (as amended by Scheduled Castes/scheduled Tribes Orders (Amendment) Act, 1976. In case of more than one promoter, then eligible for assistance under this Scheme, at least 50 % of the promoters shall be SC/ST.
What does “Recommending Authority” mean?: Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Government of India or SURABHI, KSBC, KADCO, HDCK, KELPALM for artisans registered through them. In all other cases, the recommending authority shall be the respective Manager in-charge of Handicrafts, District Industries Centres. The recommending authority shall accept applications, process the applications and place the applications before the District Level handicraft Project Appraisal Committee, The committee shall scrutinize the applications and recommend to the sanctioning authority and disburse the assistance.
Which types of enterprises are eligible to get the benefits of the scheme?: All Micro Enterprises engaged in the handicraft sector and set up in the State, which had filed Entrepreneurs Memorandum Part-II with the respective General Manager, District Industries Centre, or have taken Udyog Aadhaar shall be eligible for assistance under the Scheme.
What is the benefit of the scheme?: Depending upon the category of the investor, the unit can avail subsidy from 40% to 50%.
For what purpose the financial assistance shall be given to the artisan?: The financial assistance shall be provided for the Fixed Capital Investment, i.e. construction of Work shed/Workshop, cost of tool, equipment, machinery and accessories, electrification, Technology support/product/Design development.
What is the maximum assistance given to the General Category artisans under the scheme?: For General Category artisans, assistance is 40% of the Fixed Capital Investment limited to ₹2.00 lakh.
What is the maximum assistance given to the Young artisans under the scheme?: For Young (18 to 45 years), Women, and SC/ST artisans, the assistance is 50% limited to ₹3.00 lakh.
Is an enterprise eligible to get assistance if it has already received any subsidy under any scheme?: The financial assistance to any unit which has already received any subsidy or grant earlier under any other schemes, from State or Central Government or Government Agencies shall be limited to the balance remaining eligible assistance payable under this scheme.
How can an applicant apply under the scheme?: Application can be submitted online through the Official website of the Directorate of Industries & Commerce, Government of Kerala.

Official links

References

Official Website: https://industry.kerala.gov.in/index.php/schemes-mainmenu/asha-schemes
Guidelines: https://industry.kerala.gov.in/images/pdf/ashaguidelines.pdf
Application Portal: https://schemes.industry.kerala.gov.in/public/index.php/schemes

Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans?: Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans is a government welfare initiative designed to support Infra, Individual, Business Entity through benefits related to Business & Entrepreneurship, financial assistance, subsidies, social welfare, healthcare, education, or livelihood support.
Who can apply for Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans?: Eligibility for Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans may depend on factors such as income category, age, gender, occupation, state of residence, social category, and government-defined beneficiary criteria.
What benefits are offered under Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans?: Benefits under Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans may include financial assistance, subsidies, scholarships, insurance support, healthcare benefits, pension support, training assistance, or welfare services depending on the scheme guidelines.
Which department manages Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans?: Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans is managed by Industries and Commerce Department and may be implemented through district offices, online portals, CSC centres, banks, or authorised government agencies.
Can users apply online for Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans?: Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.
Is Aadhaar mandatory for Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans?: Many government schemes may require Aadhaar verification, identity proof, or linked bank account details for beneficiary validation and direct benefit transfer processing.
Where can users apply for Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans?: Applications for Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans may be submitted through government departments, official scheme portals, CSC centres, district offices, welfare departments, or authorised service centres.
What documents may be required for Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans?: Applicants may need Aadhaar card, income certificate, residence proof, bank account details, caste certificate, photographs, educational records, or occupation-related documents depending on scheme eligibility requirements.
Is Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans available in all states?: No, Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans is primarily available for eligible residents of Kerala and may be implemented through state government departments and local administrative offices.
Can residents outside Kerala apply for Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans?: Eligibility for Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans is generally limited to residents of Kerala unless otherwise specified in the official scheme guidelines.
Does Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans provide business loan or startup assistance?: Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans may support entrepreneurs, startups, self-employed individuals, MSMEs, or small businesses through financial assistance, subsidies, credit support, or training initiatives.
Is collateral required under Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans?: Collateral requirements may vary depending on the loan amount, implementing agency, financial institution, and government subsidy structure.
Can CSC centres help users apply for Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans?: Many government schemes may be accessible through nearby CSC centres, authorised digital service centres, or welfare facilitation offices.
How can users check the latest updates for Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans?: Users should verify official notifications, department announcements, application deadlines, and eligibility updates through authorised government portals or implementing agencies.
Can beneficiaries track application status for Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans?: Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.
Where can users get help for Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans in Kerala?: Users in Kerala may seek assistance through CSC centres, district welfare offices, government departments, agriculture offices, social welfare departments, or authorised facilitation centres.
Which nearby public services may help with Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans applications?: Depending on the scheme, users may require support from Aadhaar centres, CSC centres, banks, hospitals, post offices, or government welfare offices for document verification and application assistance.