India’s traditional handloom and handicraft sector is finding a stronger foothold in the digital economy through Indiahandmade, a dedicated online marketplace designed to connect artisans and weavers directly with buyers while preserving the country’s rich craft heritage.
Developed by the Digital India Corporation under the Ministry of Textiles and launched in 2023, the platform aims to expand market access, strengthen artisan livelihoods and increase the visibility of India’s diverse handmade products, including Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged and One District One Product (ODOP) items.
The initiative comes at a time when India’s handloom and handicraft sector continues to play a vital role in supporting livelihoods across the country. India is home to an estimated 64.66 lakh handloom and handicraft artisans, with women forming a significant share of the workforce.
As of August 2025, women account for 71 per cent of handloom weavers and 64 per cent of the total artisan population, underscoring the sector’s importance in promoting employment and economic empowerment, particularly in rural areas.
As commerce increasingly shifts online, Indiahandmade seeks to bridge the gap between traditional craftsmanship and digital markets. The platform enables artisans and weavers to sell their products directly to consumers, reducing dependence on intermediaries and improving opportunities for fair compensation. It also equips sellers with digital tools and greater online visibility, allowing them to participate more effectively in e-commerce while supporting financial and social empowerment.
The marketplace showcases an extensive range of handmade products spanning apparel, home décor, furnishings, paintings, furniture, religious items, stationery, musical instruments, jewellery, bags and footwear. Alongside everyday handmade products, the platform gives prominence to region-specific crafts through dedicated sections for GI-tagged and ODOP products.
GI-tagged products featured on the platform include Aipan art, pure Pashmina shawls, Dokra décor and Mundu products, highlighting crafts whose quality and reputation are closely associated with specific geographical regions. The portal also promotes ODOP products such as Tangail sarees, Banarasi silk products, Ikat, Tussar silk sarees, Chanderi silk and terracotta products, helping recognised regional specialties gain wider market visibility.
Indiahandmade has been designed with an emphasis on trust, accessibility and seller empowerment. Buyers benefit from free shipping, secure payment systems, purchase protection and buyer support mechanisms, creating a reliable online shopping experience while ensuring access to handcrafted products at competitive prices.
For artisans and weavers, the platform offers a guided onboarding process to simplify participation in digital commerce. In a move aimed at making online selling more inclusive, artisans who do not have GST registration can register using an Enrolment ID, although they are permitted to sell only within their own state. This provision enables smaller artisans and first-time digital sellers to access online markets with fewer barriers.
The platform also highlights the stories of artisan enterprises that continue to preserve India’s traditional crafts through digital commerce. Santarms offers handmade wooden décor, scented candles, terracotta diyas, marble idols and handloom sarees that reflect traditional craftsmanship. Dastkar Craft represents the work of more than 500 artisans producing cane and bamboo products designed for modern homes while preserving India’s heritage. Villages Craft focuses on handloom essentials such as cotton towels, gamchas and bedsheets, combining everyday utility with traditional weaving practices.
These examples demonstrate how the digital marketplace is helping traditional artisans reach wider audiences while sustaining livelihoods rooted in generations of craftsmanship.
Looking ahead, Indiahandmade plans to onboard more than 60 lakh artisans, aligning with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. By combining digital technology with India’s centuries-old craft traditions, the platform seeks to create greater economic opportunities for artisans while ensuring that the country’s handmade heritage remains visible, accessible and relevant for future generations.
