Indian Economy News

Indiahandmade expands digital market access for artisans, strengthens India's craft ecosystem

Indiahandmade, a dedicated digital marketplace developed by the Digital India Corporation under the Ministry of Textiles, is expanding market access for India's handloom and handicraft sector by directly connecting artisans and weavers with buyers across the country. Launched in 2023, the platform showcases a wide range of handmade products, including Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged and One District One Product (ODOP) items, while supporting cultural preservation and inclusive livelihoods. India is home to an estimated 64.66 lakh handloom and handicraft artisans, with women accounting for 71% of handloom weavers and 64% of the total artisan workforce as of August 2025. The platform enables artisans to participate in the digital economy through direct market access, reduced dependence on intermediaries and improved visibility, supporting the Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. It also offers buyers secure payments, purchase protection, free shipping and an authentic marketplace for handmade products.

Indiahandmade provides a simplified onboarding process for artisans, weavers and producer organisations, including allowing sellers without GST registration to join using an Enrolment ID for intra-state sales, thereby encouraging wider participation from small and first-time entrepreneurs. The platform features diverse product categories such as apparel, home décor, furnishings, paintings, furniture, jewellery, bags, footwear and musical instruments, while highlighting regional crafts including Banarasi silk, Chanderi silk, Tussar silk, Ikat, Tangail sarees, Aipan art, Pashmina shawls and Dokra products. Success stories such as Santarms, Dastkar Craft and Villages Craft demonstrate how digital commerce is enabling traditional artisans to reach broader markets while preserving India's rich craft heritage. With a target of onboarding more than 60 lakh artisans, the platform is expected to strengthen rural livelihoods, promote women's economic empowerment and expand the global visibility of India's traditional handmade products. 

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.