Textiles Ministry invites applications for Shilp Guru, National Awards & Artisan Pension Scheme

Srinagar: The Union Ministry of Textiles has invited applications from registered artisans and craftsmen for National Handicrafts Awards (Shilp Guru & National Award) for the Award Year 2025 and Pension Scheme 2025-26, under its premier National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP) and Handicrafts Artisans Comprehensive Welfare Scheme.

In a press statement issued here today, a spokesman of the Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir, stated that the office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, has invited applications from registered artisans for Handicrafts Award 2025 under HSC for Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal districts, the last date of which has been fixed for March 31, 2026. “We urge the artisans to apply in online mode along with self-attested copies of documents including 02 recent passport size photographs, Adhaar, Artisan & PAN Cards, Award & Character Certificate, photograph of Award Entry, history of craft, his Brief Note along with videos and affidavit in a pen-drive,” he said, adding that the copies of the notification, along with enclosures, are available on the department’s official social media handles.

Similarly for Pension Scheme under the aegis of ‘Financial Support Scheme to Artisans in Indigent Circumstances’, the spokesman stated that the office of DC (Handicrafts), Government of India, has fixed April 02, 2026 as the last date of submission of forms in online mode from eligible artisans of Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal districts. “The documents to be affixed with online form include 02 recent passport size photographs, Adhaar, Artisan and PAN cards, Awards certificate, if any, Income Certificate, Caste and Disability Certificate, Age Certificate and affidavit along with Bank Mandate form,” he added.The artisans have been further advised to submit their online applications complete in all respects at www.indian.handicrafts.gov.in