Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) Promotes Handicrafts thru
Training and Meets
·
Implementing Authority:
The Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), under the Ministry
of Textiles, implements:
o
National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP)
o
Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development
Scheme (CHCDS)
These schemes support the overall development of the handicrafts sector across
India, including Rajasthan.
International
Marketing Support under NHDP (MSS Component)
·
Objective:
Promote exports and strengthen global branding of Indian handicrafts.
·
Support Provided For:
o
Organizing and participating in international
fairs.
o
International Craft Exposure Programmes.
o
Buyer-Seller Meets and Reverse Buyer-Seller Meets.
o
Virtual fairs/exhibitions and road shows.
o
Overseas awareness campaigns to promote Indian
handicrafts.
·
Financial Assistance Includes:
o
Space rent and infrastructure facilities.
o
Event publicity.
o
TA/DA and freight charges for artisans.
o
Boarding and lodging for artisans participating in
international events.
·
Direct Global Access:
Awardee artisans and exporters are nominated for participation, enabling direct
engagement with international buyers and markets.
Digital
and E-Commerce Initiatives
·
India Handmade:
o
Ministry of Textiles’ e-commerce platform.
o
Enables rural artisans and weavers to sell products
directly across India.
o
Promotes financial independence and wider market
access.
·
Government e-Marketplace (GeM):
o
Artisans are encouraged and supported for
registration.
o
Expands access to government procurement
opportunities.
Skill
Development & Capacity Building (Under NHDP)
·
Key Programmes:
o
Guru Shishya Hastshilp
Prashikshan Programme (GSHPP)
o
Comprehensive Skill Upgradation Programme (CSUP)
o
Design and Technology Development Workshop (DDW)
·
Training Structure:
o
Duration: 1 to 6 months.
o
Batch Size: 20–30 artisans per batch.
o
Focus on skill enhancement, design innovation, and
technology upgradation.
Overall
Significance
·
Strengthens export promotion and global outreach of
Indian handicrafts.
·
Enhances artisans’ skills, income opportunities,
and digital market access.
·
Supports inclusive growth and preservation of
traditional crafts through structured development and branding initiatives.
The
Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) under the aegis of Ministry
of Textiles implements two schemes namely National Handicrafts Development Programme
(NHDP) and Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS) for overall
development and promotion of handicrafts sector across the country including the
state of Rajasthan. International Marketing Events are organized in India and abroad
under Marketing Support and Services (MSS) component of the NHDP scheme to promote
export of handicraft and strengthen global branding. Support is provided to eligible
organizations for:
·
Organizing
and participating in international fairs.
·
Conducting
International Craft Exposure Programme,
·
Buyer
seller Meet & Reverse Buyer Seller Meet,
·
Fairs/Exhibitions/Events
on Virtual Platform, Road Show.
·
Implementing
overseas awareness campaigns to promote Indian Handicrafts.
In
addition, awardee artisans and exporters of handicraft are nominated to participate
in these international marketing events, enabling them to directly access global
markets, showcase their craftsmanship, and build international buyer linkages. The
financial support under the MSS component of the NHDP scheme, provides for space
rent, infrastructure facilities, publicity of events, TA/DA and freight charges
for participating artisans in events organized in India. Boarding/lodging charges
is also provided to the artisans nominated for participation in international marketing
events.
India
Handmade (https://www.indiahandmade.com) is an e-commerce initiative of the Ministry
of Textiles to showcase the work of rural Artisans & Weavers. This platform
provides artisans and weavers to sell their products directly across India helping
them achieve financial independence and social recognition. In addition, the Office
of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) has been actively encouraging and
providing handholding support to artisans for registration on Government e-Marketplace
(GeM).
Various
skill development programmes such as Guru Shishya Hastshilp
Prashikshan Programme (GSHPP), Comprehensive Skill Upgradation Programme (CSUP)
and Design and Technology Development Workshop (DDW) are implemented under NHDP
scheme to enhance skill development in handicrafts sector. These training programmes
typically run for a duration of 1 to 6 months, with each batch comprising 20 to
30 artisans.
This
information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES PABITRA MARGHERITA
in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on 13 February, 2026.