Assistance Scheme for Handicrafts Artisans ASHA

What you get

• 40% of fixed capital investment, up to ₹3 lakh, and 40% of working capital need, up to ₹2 lakh, with a combined cap of ₹5 lakh for general applicants
• 50% of fixed capital investment, up to ₹4.5 lakh, and 50% of working capital need, up to ₹3 lakh, with a combined cap of ₹7.5 lakh for women, SC and ST, young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 45 and differently abled artisans

Who can apply

• Open to businesses in handicrafts.
• Micro enterprises.
• Only for artisans.
• The most on offer is ₹7.5 lakh.
• Udyam registration is needed. It is free.
• Recognised as an artisan by the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), or by SURABHI, KSBC, KADCO, HDCK, KELPALM or KSPMMWDC
• Has taken real steps to set up a handicraft enterprise
• Working capital grant is based on a project report approved by a financial institution

How to apply

1. Apply online or in person with the documents below
2. The General Manager of the District Industries Centre sanctions the grant

In person, District Industries Centre

In Kerala, District Industries Centre

Documents to keep ready

• Self attested identity card
• Resolution to apply, if the unit is not a proprietorship
• Udyam registration
• Caste certificate attested by a Gazetted Officer, for SC and ST artisans
• Project report

Worth knowing

Amended guidelines in G.O.(Ms) 81/2023/ID of 10 November 2023. Listed on both language sites in 2026.

Where we found this

• Assistance Scheme for Handicrafts Artisans (ASHA) (external site) Official

An independent guide by The Company of Four, not a government website. Schemes change often, so check every detail on the official website before you apply. Links marked ↗ open external websites that we do not run, and we are not responsible for their content. Seen something out of date? Tell us and we will look into it.

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