DSFDC Artisan Promotion Scheme — Grants for Delhi Artisans

The Artisan Promotion scheme is a Government of Delhi initiative delivered by the Delhi Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Minorities and Safai Karamchari Finance and Development Corporation (DSFDC). Its purpose is to help artisans from specific communities take their work to a national audience by funding their participation in well-known fairs and exhibitions.

Under the scheme, DSFDC supports craftspersons at events including Shilpotsav, IITF, East Himalaya Expo and the International Surajkund Mela. The corporation works with various National Apex Corporations — the bodies that organise these large events — which widens the reach of the support.

The assistance is built around the real costs of exhibiting away from home. DSFDC covers participation fees, contributes towards boarding and lodging, and pays daily stipends for the days an artisan spends at a fair. That lets a craftsperson focus on displaying and selling their work rather than on the expense of the trip, and it opens the door to direct market access, recognition and wider exposure.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so there is no fixed annual window to wait for.

• DSFDC grant scheme for artisans from SC, OBC, minority, Safai Karamchari and PwD communities
• Daily allowances range from ₹150 per day to ₹1200 per day depending on category
• Travel reimbursed on actual train (sleeper/2nd class) or bus fare, with up to ₹6000 for PwD beneficiaries
• Lodging support included, plus up to ₹500 for luggage freight for SC and OBC artisans
• Covers participation at Shilpotsav, IITF, East Himalaya Expo and the International Surajkund Mela
• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year

Who can apply

The scheme is meant for working artisans, and every one of the following conditions has to be met:

• You must be an artisan.
• You must belong to one of the supported groups: Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, Minorities, Safai Karamcharis or Persons with Disabilities.
• You must be a registered beneficiary of DSFDC.
• You must have availed a loan from DSFDC in the past.
• You must be a permanent resident of Delhi.
• You must be registered as an MSME online at www.udyogaadhaar.gov.in.

Because the residency and registration conditions are mandatory, the scheme is effectively closed to artisans who live outside Delhi or who have no prior DSFDC relationship.

DSFDC Artisan Promotion Scheme — Grants for Delhi Artisans is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

DSFDC Artisan Promotion Scheme — Grants for Delhi Artisans 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.

The support is a grant that reimburses the cost of attending national fairs and melas. What you receive depends on the category you belong to.

Daily allowance (DA)

• Scheduled Caste participants: ₹150 per day, plus ₹100 per day for an attendant or spouse.
• Minority participants: up to ₹1200 per day, covering both boarding and lodging.
• Other Backward Class participants: ₹150 per day.
• Safai Karamchari participants: ₹150 per day per member.
• Persons with Disabilities: ₹500 per day, inclusive of an attendant.

Travel allowance (TA)

Actual train fare (sleeper class or 2nd class) or bus fare is reimbursed on production of original tickets. The fare is covered for the participant and, in some cases, one helper — for example, for OBC participants. PwD beneficiaries can claim up to ₹6000 for their to-and-fro 2nd class fare.

Accommodation

• Scheduled Caste men: ₹200 per day towards hotel accommodation; Scheduled Caste women: ₹300 per day.
• Safai Karamcharis: lodging facility from NSKFDC, or ₹250 per day per member.
• Persons with Disabilities: ₹500 per day for boarding and lodging.

Luggage and local transport

• Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes: up to ₹500 towards freight charges for luggage.
• Safai Karamcharis: reasonable coolie charges.
• Persons with Disabilities: local conveyance of ₹100 per day, or transport provided by NSKFDC.

Participation fees and market exposure

Participation fees for the fair or exhibition are covered. Beyond the money, participants get something harder to price: a national platform to display their products, direct contact with buyers, and the recognition that comes with exhibiting at a major event.

DSFDC Artisan Promotion Scheme — Grants for Delhi Artisans is offered by Delhi SC/ST/OBC/Minorities/Handicapped Financial and Development Corporation (DSFDC), a government body. As a government-backed grant, it is publicly funded and open to eligible startups across India.

Before you apply to DSFDC Artisan Promotion Scheme — Grants for Delhi Artisans, 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.