**Executive Summary**
This document, posted on February 13, 2026, outlines the schemes implemented by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) under the Ministry of Textiles to increase handicraft exports. The two key schemes are the National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP) and the Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS). The schemes aim to promote the handicrafts sector and strengthen global branding.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Schemes:**
* National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP)
* Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS)
* **Marketing Support and Services (MSS) component of NHDP:**
* Supports eligible organizations in:
* Organizing and participating in international fairs.
* Conducting International Craft Exposure Programmes.
* Buyer seller Meet & Reverse Buyer Seller Meet.
* Fairs/Exhibitions/Events on Virtual Platform, Road Show.
* Implementing overseas awareness campaigns to promote Indian Handicrafts.
* Provides financial support for space rent, infrastructure, publicity, TA/DA and freight for artisans participating in events in India.
* Provides boarding/lodging charges for artisans nominated for international marketing events.
* **E-commerce Initiative:**
* India Handmade (https://www.indiahandmade.com) is an e-commerce initiative to showcase rural artisans and weavers' products.
* The Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) encourages artisans to register on Government e-Marketplace (GeM).
* **Skill Development Programmes (under NHDP):**
* Guru Shishya Hastshilp Prashikshan Programme (GSHPP)
* Comprehensive Skill Upgradation Programme (CSUP)
* Design and Technology Development Workshop (DDW)
* Training duration: typically 1-6 months per batch.
* Batch size: 20-30 artisans.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Handicraft Artisans & Weavers**
*Impact:* Access to global markets, opportunities to showcase craftsmanship, build international buyer linkages, achieve financial independence, and gain social recognition.
*Action Required:* Participate in international marketing events, utilize the India Handmade platform, and register on Government e-Marketplace (GeM).
**Stakeholder: Handicraft Exporters**
*Impact:* Nomination for participation in international marketing events.
*Action Required:* Participate in international marketing events and leverage available financial support.
**Stakeholder: Eligible Organizations**
*Impact:* Financial support for organizing and participating in international fairs and other promotional events.
*Action Required:* Apply for and utilize the support provided under the MSS component of the NHDP scheme.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Textiles: The ministry under whose aegis the schemes are implemented and the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) operates.
National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP): A scheme to promote handicraft exports, providing support for international marketing events, skill development, and more.
Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS): A scheme for overall development and promotion of handicrafts sector.
Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts): The office implementing the schemes under the Ministry of Textiles.
Ministry of Textiles
SCHEMES TO INCREASE HANDICRAFT
EXPORTS
Posted On: 13 FEB 2026 1:53PM by PIB Delhi
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 SHRI PABITRA
MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
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