Vishesh Katan, Vankari & Vanat Sahay (Spinning & Weaving Assistance Scheme) — Grant

The Vishesh Katan, Vankari & Vanat Sahay scheme is a production-linked incentive programme for people who spin and weave Khadi by hand in Gujarat. It is administered by the Gujarat Rajya Khadi Gramodyog Board, which functions under the state's Industries & Mines Department.

Instead of funding a business plan, the scheme pays artisans for the output they actually deliver. Payments are calculated per hank of yarn spun and per square metre of Khadi woven, which means an artisan's earnings move in step with the volume of work they complete.

The programme works as a state-level top-up. Whatever central government assistance a Khadi artisan already receives continues unchanged, and this scheme adds a further amount on top of it. The aim is to make hand spinning and weaving a more dependable livelihood in rural Gujarat and to keep the state's traditional Khadi craft alive.

Higher incentive rates are reserved for women and Scheduled Tribe artisans, who are paid more than the General and Scheduled Caste categories for the same output. Weavers also receive a separate equipment allowance to help with looms and tools.

There is no application window to wait for. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through the state's eKutir portal.

• Rolling applications — no deadline to meet
• Spinners earn ₹1 per hank (General/SC) or ₹1.5 per hank (Women/ST)
• Weavers earn ₹3 per square metre (General/SC) or ₹4 per square metre (ST)
• Extra ₹1 per square metre weaving equipment aid
• Paid on top of existing central government assistance
• Open to individual Khadi artisans across Gujarat

Eligibility here is defined by what you do, not by the kind of organisation you run. The scheme is built for individual artisans rather than companies.

• Khadi spinners who are actively producing yarn.
• Khadi weavers who are actively weaving Khadi.
• Applicants living and working in Gujarat, where the implementing board operates.
• Artisans belonging to the General, Scheduled Caste, Women and Scheduled Tribe categories.

The crucial condition is genuine, ongoing involvement in spinning or weaving. Because payouts are tied to verified production, registering on the portal without real output will not lead to an incentive. Applicants from the Women and Scheduled Tribe categories are not just eligible — they receive an enhanced rate compared with the other categories.

Vishesh Katan, Vankari & Vanat Sahay (Spinning & Weaving Assistance Scheme) — Grant is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

Vishesh Katan, Vankari & Vanat Sahay (Spinning & Weaving Assistance Scheme) — Grant 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 scheme pays out at fixed rates against measured production, and the rate an artisan receives depends on the category they belong to.

• Spinners — General and Scheduled Caste: ₹1 per hank of yarn produced.
• Spinners — Women and Scheduled Tribe: ₹1.5 per hank.
• Weavers — General and Scheduled Caste: ₹3 per square metre of Khadi woven.
• Weavers — Scheduled Tribe: ₹4 per square metre.
• Weaving equipment aid: ₹1 per square metre, an allowance towards acquiring or maintaining the tools a weaver needs.

Every rupee above is over and above any central government support the artisan already draws, so the two streams stack rather than replace each other. Disbursement is linked directly to recorded output, which keeps the link between effort and benefit very direct.

Vishesh Katan, Vankari & Vanat Sahay (Spinning & Weaving Assistance Scheme) — Grant is offered by Gujarat Rajya Khadi Gramodyog Board, a government body. As a government-backed grant, it is publicly funded and open to eligible startups across India.

Assessment for this scheme is a verification exercise rather than a competitive contest, so there is no shortlisting against other applicants.

• Online submission: The artisan completes the application on the eKutir portal across the required tabs and uploads the specified documents.
• Initial screening: The application is checked for completeness — all mandatory fields filled and all required documents attached.
• Verification: The Gujarat Rajya Khadi Gramodyog Board, or a designated local authority, confirms that the applicant is genuinely working as a Khadi spinner or weaver and validates the production records submitted. This can involve a field visit or cross-checking against other government databases.
• Disbursal: Once eligibility and the production claims are confirmed, the incentive is processed and paid out according to the verified output.

The emphasis throughout is on accurate reporting of production figures and adherence to the scheme guidelines, so that assistance reaches the artisans it is meant for.

Before you apply to Vishesh Katan, Vankari & Vanat Sahay (Spinning & Weaving Assistance Scheme) — Grant, 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.