A State-Crafted Alternative to PM Vishwakarma
Kalaignar Kaivinai Thittam 2025: Tamil Nadu’s Inclusive Artisan Scheme: In a significant move towards artisan empowerment, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has launched the Kalaignar Kaivinai Thittam in 2025. Positioned as a state-level alternative to the Centre’s PM Vishwakarma Yojana, this scheme focuses on handicraft development, skill revival, and financial support, without enforcing caste-based entry conditions. While the Central scheme covers 18 trades, the Kalaignar Kaivinai Thittam has gone a step further by including 25 trades, making it broader in scope and intent.
What Makes It Different?
Unlike the PM Vishwakarma scheme, which has drawn criticism for its caste-specific eligibility focused on traditional Vishwakarma communities, the Kalaignar Kaivinai Thittam is fully inclusive. It allows any eligible individual over the age of 35 to enroll and learn or revive a trade of their choice. This promotes social equity and upholds the idea that traditional skills and crafts transcend caste boundaries. The state government has ensured that the program will reach artisans in both rural and urban Tamil Nadu, with a focus on gender inclusivity as well.
Financial Assistance and Coverage
The scheme is designed to provide loans ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹3 lakh. These loans will come with government subsidies, reducing repayment pressure on artisans. This mirrors the loan structure of the PM Vishwakarma scheme, but Tamil Nadu’s version extends the benefit to more trades and doesn’t limit it based on community background. Such financial support is expected to encourage entrepreneurship and revive dying crafts, especially among middle-aged artisans who often lack capital access.
Trades and Opportunities
The 25 trades under Kalaignar Kaivinai Thittam span pottery, weaving, blacksmithing, carpentry, goldsmithing, basket weaving, and more. By widening the net, the scheme recognizes emerging local crafts and new-age hand-skills, giving artisans an avenue to adapt and innovate. Beneficiaries will also be eligible for skill development training, marketing support, and access to fairs and exhibitions under the scheme.
Context and Political Message
The launch of this scheme also carries a political undertone. It represents Tamil Nadu’s assertion of state rights in tailoring welfare to local socio-cultural realities. The ruling party’s narrative is rooted in Dravidian ideals of inclusivity and self-respect, and this scheme is being positioned as more progressive and democratic compared to the Centre’s Vishwakarma Yojana.
The Dravidian model of governance, championed by the DMK, often emphasizes schemes that uplift all communities without discrimination. With Kalaignar Kaivinai Thittam, the government has added another feather to its welfare policy framework.
STATIC GK SNAPSHOT
Kalaignar Kaivinai Thittam 2025: Tamil Nadu’s Inclusive Artisan Scheme:
| Parameter | Details |
| Scheme Name | Kalaignar Kaivinai Thittam |
| Launched By | Tamil Nadu Government |
| Year | 2025 |
| Comparison Scheme | PM Vishwakarma Yojana (Central Govt, 2023) |
| Number of Trades Covered | 25 (TN) vs 18 (Central) |
| Eligibility Age | Minimum 35 years |
| Loan Amount Range | ₹50,000 to ₹3 lakh |
| Caste-Based Entry | No (Inclusive for all) |
| Scheme Focus | Artisan empowerment, financial aid, skill revival |
| Administered By | Tamil Nadu Department of MSMEs and Handicrafts |
