Tamil Nadu Kalaignar Kaivinai Thittam

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Tamil Nadu's artisans have kept ancient crafts alive for centuries, yet many struggle to make ends meet despite their extraordinary skill. Recognising this, the Government of Tamil Nadu launched the Kalaignar Kaivinai Thittam (KKT) to promote artisan development and support skilled craftspersons in setting up or expanding their businesses.

Under this scheme, eligible artisans above 35 years of age with a minimum of 5 years of experience in one of the 25 identified artisanal trades can access bank loans up to Rs 3 lakh with a credit-linked subsidy through the Commissionerate of Industries and Commerce. The scheme provides a 25% capital subsidy linked with credit, along with skill development and entrepreneurship training, branding and marketing support, and access to modern facilities. Loans are available through TAICO Bank at 7% interest with a 2% interest subvention, or through other banks with a 5% interest subvention. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

KKT goes beyond just financial support; it aims to fully transform artisans into confident artisan-entrepreneurs by upskilling them, providing formal credit access, promoting voluntary formalisation, and enabling them to establish new enterprises or expand existing ones. It also facilitates scaling through the formation of artisan enterprise groups and collectives.
The scheme is implemented by the Industries Commissioner and Director of Industries and Commerce, with district-level execution through District Industries Centres (DICs) across Tamil Nadu.

Scheme Benefits

• Eligible artisans can get bank loans to start or expand artisanal businesses
• The scheme provides a maximum loan assistance of Rs 3.00 lakh.
• The loan may be disbursed in up to two instalments (tranches), depending on the bank's decision.
• No collateral is required to avail the loan.
• The loan must be repaid over a period of 5 years (60 months) in monthly instalments.
• Credit-linked subsidy of up to Rs 50,000 on the project cost
• Interest subvention of 2% for loans from TAICO Bank and 5% for loans from other banks
• Loans covered under the Tamil Nadu Credit Guarantee Scheme (TNCGS)
• TAICO Bank has earmarked Rs 75 crore under the Kalaignar Credit Assistance Scheme for KKT beneficiaries
• Skill development and entrepreneurship training, including:
  • Trade-specific skill development training
  • Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP), provided by TNSDC
  • Access to modern tools, equipment, and Common Facility Centres (for cluster-based trades)
  • Branding and marketing support funded by FaMeTN.

Bussiness List

The list of identified artisanal trades to be covered under the Kalaignar Kaivinai Thittam scheme includes:

Eligibility Requirements

• Must have a minimum of 5 years of experience in one of the 25 listed artisanal trades
• Applicants' age should be above 35 years
• Applicants who have received a subsidy greater than Rs 1.5 lakh under any GoTN self-employment or business expansion scheme in the last 5 years must have fully repaid that amount before applying.
• Must be willing to undergo skill development and entrepreneurship training provided by TNSDC
• Applicant must register on the TN Artisans Portal of TNHDC (if not already registered)
• Members of Welfare Boards under the Labour Welfare Department are given special consideration (subsidy funded through TNCWWB for eligible trades)

Priority/Focus Groups

• Traditional rural artisans
• Construction-related artisans (carpentry, masonry, painting, etc)
• Cluster-based craft workers
• Self-employed craftsmen needing modernisation support

Required Documents

• Aadhaar Card
• Welfare Board Registration Card (if member of any Labour Welfare Board)
• Detailed Project Report (DPR)
• PAN Card document
• Welfare Board ID document (if applicable)
• Bank account details and passbook
• Artisan / Trade Experience Proof
• Educational Certificate (if available)
• Passport-size photograph
• Project quotation/equipment estimate
• Welfare Board ID (if registered)
• Affidavit / Self-declaration form
• Caste Certificate (if applicable for benefits)
• UDYAM registration number (for existing businesses)

Implementing Agencies

• The scheme is implemented by:
  • Industries Commissioner and Director of Industries and Commerce, SIDCO Corporate Office Building, Guindy, Chennai – 600 032
  • District Industries Centres (DICs) across Tamil Nadu
  • TAICO Bank, for loan disbursement.
  • Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC) for skill and entrepreneurship training
  • FaMeTN, for marketing support.
  • Tamil Nadu Construction Workers Welfare Board (TNCWWB), for subsidy and training costs of eligible construction-related trades (masonry, carpentry, blacksmithery, painting, glassworks, stucco works)
  • Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation (TNHDC), for artisan portal registration

Steps to Apply

• To apply for the Kalaignar Kaivinai Thittam scheme, go to the official MSME Online Tamil Nadu website and open the "Schemes" section.
• From there, choose the Kalaignar Kaivinai Thittam (KKT).
• Once selected, the KKT scheme page will appear on your screen.
• Take some time to go through the "Guidelines" and "About" sections to reconfirm the scheme details.
• After that, click on "Apply Online" and choose "New Application". You can register as a new user or log in if you already have an account.
• After logging in, continue to the application form.
• Enter your personal details such as your name, date of birth, marital status, community, and other required information.
• Next, provide your Aadhaar number, PAN details, mobile number, email ID, and full address.
• Fill in your trade-related details, including your type of work, years of experience, and whether the business is new or already existing.
• Then enter your project information, such as total cost, loan amount required, and how the loan will be used (for example, equipment purchase or working capital).
• Provide your bank details, including account number, bank name, branch, district, and IFSC code.
• If you need marketing support, mention the details in the relevant section.
• Upload all the necessary documents, such as Aadhaar, PAN card, Welfare Board ID (if applicable), and the project report.
• Finally, check all the information carefully and submit your application.

Relevant Links

• TN MSME Portal.
• TN Kalaignar Kaivinai Thittam (KKT) Portal
• Guideline to fill the online form of Kalaignar Kaivinai Thittam (KKT) PDF
• Complete details of the scheme from announcement in the PDF

Contact Information

• TN MSME Contact Details.
• Department of Industries & Commerce
  SIDCO Corporate Office Building
  Guindy Industrial Estate
  Chennai – 600 032