Govt triples prize money in handicraft awards

In a major boost to Delhi’s artisans, the state government has announced a reform in its Handicraft Awards Scheme — the first in 12 years — significantly increasing the prize money and expanding award categories to include women, specially-abled artisans, startups and young innovators.

Under the new framework approved by the Delhi Government, the Rajya Shilpkaar Puraskar (State Award) will now carry a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, up from Rs 30,000, while the Rajya Dakshata Puraskar (State Merit Award) has been increased from Rs 20,000 to Rs 75,000. The number of awards has also been doubled to ensure broader participation — six Rajya Shilpkaar Puraskars (including one exclusively for women) and 18 Rajya Dakshata Puraskars will now be conferred.

Announcing the decision, Industries Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, “This long-overdue reform recognises the true worth of our artisans. We have tripled the prize money and introduced inclusive categories so that more craftspeople, especially women, young talent and specially-abled artisans, can participate and be recognised. Our artisans are the soul of Bharat, and this recognition is a tribute to their contribution.”

The minister added that the previous prize amount no longer reflected the real value of craftsmanship in today’s economy. “By enhancing both the monetary and symbolic value of the awards, we hope to inspire the next generation of artisans to innovate, preserve and promote Delhi’s rich craft heritage,” he said.

The revamped award scheme, introduced under the Promotion of Handicraft Plan, also features a cultural shift in nomenclature — replacing the earlier English titles with the Hindi names Rajya Shilpkaar Puraskar and Rajya Dakshata Puraskar to align with Indian identity and tradition.

Officials said the new categories would not only reward traditional craftsmanship but also innovation in design, entrepreneurship and sustainability. The inclusion of women and divyang (specially-abled) categories aims to make the recognition system more inclusive and representative of the entire artisan community.

The revised guidelines were prepared in line with the policy of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, and circulated among leading artisans and craft institutions earlier this year.