Urban Haat Scheme 2026: Up to ₹8 Crore Support for Marketing Infrastructure

At a glance

About the scheme

Urban Haat is an infrastructure and technology support component under the National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP), administered by the Ministry of Textiles. Modeled along the lines of Dilli Haat, the initiative aims to create permanent marketing venues covering at least 8,000 square metres in towns and metropolitan cities. These complexes allow handicrafts artisans and handloom weavers to sell their creations directly to buyers and tourists on a rotational basis with nominal rents throughout the year, removing middlemen and boosting traditional Indian crafts.

Benefits

• Financial support of up to ₹8,00,00,000 per unit for establishing a new Urban Haat.
• Standard funding split of 40% from DC (Handicrafts), 40% from DC (Handlooms), and 20% from the implementing agency.
• Enhanced central share for special regions (NER, J&K, Ladakh, A&N Islands, and Lakshadweep) with 45% each from DC (HC) and DC (HL) and 10% from the implementing agency.
• Up to ₹2,50,00,000 financial assistance for the renovation of existing Urban Haats, with 100% funding borne by the central offices.
• Proportionate grant assistance for Mini Urban Haats based on feasibility and requirements.
• Infrastructure deliverables include 50 to 80 stalls (10x8 sq. ft. each), a food court, cultural stage, meeting room, store room, souvenir shop, and dormitory for at least 100 artisans.
• Provides a direct year-round sales platform for handloom weavers and handicraft artisans with stalls allocated on a rotational basis.

Who can apply (eligibility)

• Local statutory bodies, apex cooperative societies, and national-level apex societies registered under the relevant Societies or Trust Acts.
• Producer companies supported by the Office of the Development Commissioner for Handicrafts.
• Implementing agencies must have a minimum audited annual turnover of ₹1.5 Crore in the last three consecutive years.
• The ₹1.5 Crore turnover condition does not apply to Central or State Government agencies acting as implementing agencies.

Who cannot apply

• Implementing agencies lacking the required minimum audited turnover of ₹1.5 Crore over the last three consecutive years (except government bodies).
• Proposals submitted without land provision by the implementing agency.
• Incomplete proposals, proposals missing mandatory enclosures, or those submitted past the official due date.

Documents required

• Duly filled prescribed application proforma.
• Registration certificate of the implementing body (Society/Trust/Cooperative/Producer Company).
• Audited financial statements and turnover certificates for the last three consecutive years.
• Proof of land availability and site plan measuring not less than 8,000 sq. m.
• Recommendation letter from the concerned Handicraft Service Centre.
• For individual artisans applying for stalls: Aadhaar card, artisan identity card details, photograph, and records of past exhibition participation.

How to apply

1. 1Download the prescribed project proforma from the official Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) portal.
2. 2Complete the proforma and attach all necessary self-attested supporting documents, including land proof and audited balance sheets.
3. 3Submit the physical hard copy of the project proposal to the jurisdictional Handicraft Service Centre (HSC).
4. 4The HSC verifies, endorses, and forwards the recommended proposal to the Headquarters Office and the Regional Director of O/o DC (HC).
5. 5Artisans seeking stall allocation apply online on the official portal by entering personal and craft details along with past exhibition records.

Frequently asked questions