Handicrafts Awards will be conferred by the Ministry of Textiles to honour exceptional master craftspersons for 2023 and 2024. The award ceremony, to be held on Tuesday, 9th December 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, is an important highlight of National Handicrafts Week. These national honours acknowledge artistic excellence and reaffirm the Government’s support for preserving and celebrating India’s diverse handicraft legacy.
The ceremony will be graced by the Hon’ble President of India, Droupadi Murmu, as the Chief Guest. The event will be presided over by the Union Minister of Textiles, Giriraj Singh, with Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for Textiles and External Affairs, attending as the Guest of Honour.
Since their inception in 1965, the National Handicrafts Awards have recognized exceptional craftspersons whose exemplary workmanship has enriched the country’s cultural landscape. The Shilp Guru Awards, introduced in 2002, stand as the highest recognition in the Indian handicrafts sector. These awards celebrate artisans who have demonstrated exemplary mastery and innovation to their craft, thereby ensuring the continuation and evolution of India’s diverse craft heritage.
National Handicrafts Week, observed annually from 8th to 14thDecember, serves as a tribute to India’s artisans and celebrates the enduring cultural significance of handicrafts. The Week features a wide spectrum of activities and public engagements aimed at enhancing awareness, strengthening artisan livelihoods, and promoting the sector’s socio-economic relevance in contemporary India. Key activities include exhibitions showcasing exceptional craftsmanship, thematic workshops, capacity-building programmes, craft demonstrations, panel discussions, outreach initiatives, and cultural performances.
The handicrafts sector remains a cornerstone of India’s cultural and economic landscape. It preserves centuries-old traditions, supports millions of livelihoods-particularly in rural and semi-urban areas and contributes significantly to the nation’s export earnings. The Ministry of Textiles remains deeply committed to supporting artisans through recognition, skill enhancement, technological interventions, financial empowerment, and improved domestic and international market access. Through these initiatives and the annual celebration of National Handicrafts Week, the Government aims to further elevate India’s handicraft legacy, strengthen artisan communities, and ensure that the country’s traditional crafts continue to thrive in the modern world.
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