Assistance to Traditional Pottery Makers — ₹25,000 Kerala Grant
A Kerala government scheme giving traditional pottery makers from State Backward Communities a ₹25,000 grant plus training in modern production techniques.
- Funding amount
- ₹25,000 (grant)
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- Backward Classes Development Department, Government of Kerala (Government)
- Application deadline
- Rolling
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
This is a Kerala Government scheme, delivered by the Backward Classes Development Department, that exists to keep the state's traditional pottery trade alive. Pottery has been a long-standing livelihood for communities listed as Other Backward Classes in Kerala, yet artisans who stick to conventional working methods find it increasingly hard to compete. The scheme responds with both money and skill-building.
Support comes in two parts. One is training in up-to-date production techniques, so that potters can adopt methods that improve output and quality. The other is a one-time grant of ₹25,000 that can be directed at upgrading the trade, most often by buying machinery to replace manual processes.
Put together, the cash and the training are meant to help traditional artisans mechanise, lower their costs and stay viable against mass-produced alternatives. The grant is not a loan — nothing has to be repaid — and no ownership or stake is taken in the artisan's work.
Applications are handled offline and the intake runs on a rolling basis, so there is no announced cut-off date to race against.
Highlights
- ₹25,000 non-repayable grant for traditional pottery makers
- Rolling intake — no fixed last date announced
- Open to Kerala residents from State Backward Communities
- Family income must not exceed ₹1,00,000 per year
- Covers both modern machinery and production training
- Applications submitted offline to the Ernakulam or Kozhikode Regional Deputy Director's office
Who can apply
Four conditions apply together, and an applicant needs to satisfy all of them:
- Domicile — the person must be a permanent resident of Kerala.
- Community — the person must belong to a State Backward Community (OBC) of Kerala.
- Occupation — the person must already be working in traditional pottery making.
- Income — the yearly income of the family must not be more than ₹1,00,000.
Since the occupation requirement is stated in the present tense, the scheme is aimed at people who are actively practising the craft rather than those planning to enter it. Meeting only some of the four conditions is not enough.
Assistance to Traditional Pottery Makers — ₹25,000 Kerala Grant 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
Assistance to Traditional Pottery Makers — ₹25,000 Kerala 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.
What the funding covers
Beneficiaries receive ₹25,000 as a grant. The amount is non-repayable and is intended for upgrading the pottery occupation, typically by purchasing modern machinery so that production can be mechanised. Because this is a grant and not an investment, no equity or ownership stake is taken in return.
Alongside the money, the scheme provides training in modern methods and techniques of production. This part of the support builds skill rather than capital — it helps potters adopt better processes and get more value out of any equipment they buy.
The two components are designed to work as a pair: the grant funds the upgrade, while the training makes sure that upgrade is actually used well.
About the provider
Assistance to Traditional Pottery Makers — ₹25,000 Kerala Grant is offered by Backward Classes Development Department, Government of Kerala, a government body. As a government-backed grant, it is publicly funded and open to eligible startups across India. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Assistance to Traditional Pottery Makers — ₹25,000 Kerala 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.
Who this is best for
Assistance to Traditional Pottery Makers — ₹25,000 Kerala Grant is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹25,000. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does the scheme provide?
Beneficiaries receive ₹25,000. It comes as a grant, which means the amount is non-repayable and no equity or ownership stake is taken from the artisan in exchange.
Who is eligible for this assistance?
You need to be a permanent resident of Kerala, belong to a State Backward Community of the state, be currently working in traditional pottery making, and have a family income of no more than ₹1,00,000 a year. All four requirements have to be met together.
Is there an upper income limit for applicants?
Yes. The yearly income of the applicant's family should not be more than ₹1,00,000. If the household earns above that figure, the application would not meet the scheme's criteria.
Can I apply if I am planning to start pottery work but am not doing it yet?
The eligibility conditions require the applicant to be engaged in traditional pottery making at the time of applying, so the scheme is meant for people already practising the craft rather than newcomers who intend to take it up later.
Is a DPIIT or MSME registration required?
The scheme does not list DPIIT recognition or MSME registration as an eligibility condition. What it asks for instead relates to Kerala residency, State Backward Community status, active involvement in pottery making, and the family income ceiling.
What does the grant money have to be used for?
The ₹25,000 is meant for upgrading the pottery occupation, and in practice that usually means purchasing modern machinery so production can be mechanised. It is not a general-purpose payment.
Does the scheme include training as well as money?
Yes. Besides the grant, the scheme provides training in modern methods and techniques of production, so that artisans can pick up better processes alongside the equipment they buy.
What is the deadline to apply?
The intake runs on a rolling basis and no fixed cut-off date has been announced, so applications can be made without waiting for a specific window.
What documents will I need to submit?
You should be ready with the supporting documents listed in the application form and scheme notification — proof of residency, a caste certificate, an income certificate, and evidence that you are engaged in pottery making. These accompany the completed application form.
How and where do I submit the application?
Download the official application form from the Backward Classes Development Department website, fill it in completely, attach the required documents, and submit the set offline at the office of the Regional Deputy Director for your area. Applicants based from Trivandrum through Thrissur should submit to the Ernakulam office, while those from Palakkad through Kasaragod should submit to the Kozhikode office.
Does Assistance to Traditional Pottery Makers — ₹25,000 Kerala Grant take equity?
No. Assistance to Traditional Pottery Makers — ₹25,000 Kerala Grant is grant and is non-dilutive — the provider does not take an equity stake in your startup.
Who offers Assistance to Traditional Pottery Makers — ₹25,000 Kerala Grant?
Assistance to Traditional Pottery Makers — ₹25,000 Kerala Grant is offered by Backward Classes Development Department, Government of Kerala, a government body. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.
How do I apply for Assistance to Traditional Pottery Makers — ₹25,000 Kerala Grant?
Apply directly through the official application link on this page. Review the eligibility criteria and prepare your startup documents before you begin.
Alternatives to Assistance to Traditional Pottery Makers — ₹25,000 Kerala Grant
Not sure Assistance to Traditional Pottery Makers — ₹25,000 Kerala Grant is the right fit, or already applied? These are other grants open to Indian startups that founders shortlist alongside it.
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