Chief Minister's Scheme for Wood Carving Artists — Arunachal Pradesh Support
Arunachal Pradesh's grant scheme for wood carving artisans, offering tools, raw materials, master craftsmanship training and market linkages, with applications open round the year.
- Funding amount
- Varies by program
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- Department of Textile and Handicraft, Government of Arunachal Pradesh (Government)
- Application deadline
- Rolling
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
Wood carving is one of Arunachal Pradesh's oldest living crafts, and this state government programme exists to keep it alive — and to turn it into a paying livelihood. It is run by the Department of Textile and Handicraft, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, and it backs people who work in wood with the practical inputs the trade needs to survive in a modern market: better tools, quality raw material and organised training.
Support is delivered largely in kind rather than as a single cheque, and the value of assistance varies from case to case. The wider purpose is to raise the quality and market appeal of local woodcraft so that Arunachal's carvers can meet international standards, at a time when this heritage craft faces neglect and a shrinking number of practitioners.
The scheme looks well beyond the workshop. It sets out to develop master craftsmen, introduce them to organised buyers, and grow a fresh generation of entrepreneurs and traders in the wood business — blending modern techniques with traditional skills so the products made here find a place in contemporary markets.
There is no fixed last date. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and the entry point is your nearest District Textile Office in the state.
Highlights
- In-kind support — tools, equipment and raw materials — for wood carving artisans in Arunachal Pradesh
- Master craftsmanship training, including courses at NID Ahmedabad and NIFT Kolkata
- Market linkages through buyer-seller meets, exhibitions, expos and trade events
- Grant-based and non-dilutive — no equity is taken in the artisan's work
- Open to permanent residents of Arunachal Pradesh aged 14 to 25
- Applications accepted round the year at District Textile Offices
Who can apply
The scheme is reserved for people rooted in Arunachal Pradesh; applicants from outside the state are not eligible.
- Permanent residency in Arunachal Pradesh is mandatory.
- The age band is 14 to 25 years.
- There is no compulsory educational qualification.
- Preference during selection goes to candidates who have passed Class VIII.
- Preference is also given to applicants belonging to the Arunachal Pradesh Schedule Tribe (APST).
- A certificate of experience in trading is viewed favourably and carries weight in the selection committee's review.
Chief Minister's Scheme for Wood Carving Artists — Arunachal Pradesh Support is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Deadline & timing
Chief Minister's Scheme for Wood Carving Artists — Arunachal Pradesh Support accepts applications on a rolling basis — there is no fixed cut-off date, so eligible startups can apply at any time. Because rolling programmes can pause without notice, confirm the window is still open on the official site before you start.
What the funding covers
Assistance here is mainly in kind, and its value varies from one beneficiary to another.
- Tools, equipment and raw material — beneficiaries get improved tools, modern equipment and good-quality raw materials suited to contemporary carving methods and product development.
- Skill upgradation — artisans undergo training designed to refine their products and make them market-relevant, including master craftsmanship courses at institutions such as NID Ahmedabad and NIFT Kolkata.
- Market linkages — the scheme arranges buyer-seller meets and puts carvers in front of buyers at exhibitions, expos and trade events.
- Product promotion — crafted products are advertised and promoted across various media.
- Business and market knowledge — participants learn how markets and economies function, how demand and supply shift, and how to position a product strategically.
- Networking and mentorship — direct contact with buyers, traders and fellow artisans in the wood business.
About the provider
Chief Minister's Scheme for Wood Carving Artists — Arunachal Pradesh Support is offered by Department of Textile and Handicraft, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, a government body. As a government-backed grant, it is publicly funded and open to eligible startups across India.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Applications are not routed through an online portal. They are received and verified at the District Textile Offices in Arunachal Pradesh.
A selection committee — expected to include officials from the Department of Textile and Handicraft — reviews the applications to confirm that every eligibility condition is satisfied.
Among otherwise eligible applicants, weight is given to those who have completed Class VIII, to candidates belonging to the Arunachal Pradesh Schedule Tribe (APST), and to those holding a trading experience certificate.
Once verification and the committee's review are complete, the selected candidates are admitted to the skill development training courses.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Chief Minister's Scheme for Wood Carving Artists — Arunachal Pradesh Support, keep the following documents ready:
- A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
- Company registration documents and PAN
- Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
- Recent financial statements or projections
- Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available
Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does the scheme provide?
There is no single published amount — the value of support varies from case to case. Instead of a uniform cash grant, beneficiaries largely receive in-kind assistance such as improved tools, modern equipment and raw materials, along with training. Cash support can also form part of the package.
What is the application deadline?
There isn't one. The scheme runs on a rolling basis and stays open throughout the year, so you can approach your District Textile Office at any point and start the process.
Who is eligible to apply?
You must hold permanent residency in Arunachal Pradesh and be between 14 and 25 years of age. Preference in selection is given to candidates who have passed Class VIII, to those belonging to the Arunachal Pradesh Schedule Tribe (APST), and to applicants with a trading experience certificate.
Is any educational qualification needed to join the training courses?
No. There is no mandatory educational requirement for admission. That said, educated candidates are favoured — particularly those who have completed Class VIII — and APST candidates also receive preference.
Do I need DPIIT or MSME registration to apply?
No. Neither DPIIT recognition nor MSME registration is part of the criteria for this scheme. Eligibility rests on permanent residency in Arunachal Pradesh, age, and the stated preferences for Class VIII qualification, APST status and trading experience.
Does the scheme take equity in my business in return for the support?
No. This is a grant-based government programme and it does not take any stake or ownership share in an artisan's work or venture. The support you receive is non-dilutive.
Which documents should I carry when applying?
You will need to attach proof of residence in Arunachal Pradesh, proof of age, documents relating to your educational qualifications, and certificates showing any trading experience you have. All of these go with the completed application form.
How do I apply for the Chief Minister's Scheme for Wood Carving Artists?
Visit the District Textile Office nearest to you in Arunachal Pradesh and collect the prescribed application form. Fill it in completely, attach all the relevant documents, and submit it back to the same office. Once your application and papers are verified, eligible candidates are admitted to the training courses.
How long do the training courses last?
Duration varies by programme and by the level of mastery being taught, but these skill development courses typically run from one to two years.
What kind of market support will I get after training?
Beneficiaries are connected with buyers through organised buyer-seller meets and are given the chance to participate in exhibitions, expos and trade events. Products are also promoted through various media, and artisans receive guidance on market economics, demand and supply, and how best to position their products.
Who offers Chief Minister's Scheme for Wood Carving Artists — Arunachal Pradesh Support?
Chief Minister's Scheme for Wood Carving Artists — Arunachal Pradesh Support is offered by Department of Textile and Handicraft, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, a government body. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.
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