VAANI (Vibrant Advocacy for Advancement and Nurturing of Indian Languages) 2026

This scheme helps jute artisans, MSMEs, exporters, and women's SHGs innovate and diversify jute products by providing Read More... new designs, training, and technical help. Read less

Details

India is known for its rich jute heritage. To keep this tradition alive and make it modern, the National Jute Board has started a special scheme called the Jute Design Resource Centre. This initiative is all about bringing new life to jute products by focusing on smart designs and new ideas.

What Is This Scheme?

The Jute Design Resource Centre Scheme is designed to create a central hub for developing new designs in the jute sector. It aims to help jute businesses create market-ready, trendy, and innovative products. Whether it's a small artisan, a growing business, or an exporter, this scheme offers support to create better jute items.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This scheme is specifically for individuals and groups involved in the jute industry. This includes Jute Artisans, Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Exporters, Women Self Help Groups (SHGs), and anyone trained by the National Jute Board's production centers.

Why This Scheme Is Important

In today's competitive market, innovation is key. This scheme helps jute product makers stand out by offering them access to modern designs and technical know-how. It encourages diversification, which can lead to new markets, increased income, and a stronger jute industry overall.

Objective

This scheme helps jute artisans, MSMEs, exporters, and women's SHGs innovate and diversify jute products by providing new designs, training, and technical help.

Benefits

The scheme provides financial assistance up to a maximum of ₹2,00,000/- per programme.

The honorarium for experts is a maximum of ₹5,000/- per expert and per session.

Financial assistance shall be reimbursed against actual expenses after the successful completion of the conference, seminar, or workshop and the submission of requisite documents.

An advance of 50% of the sanctioned amount will be released only to the Government Institutions.

Terms and Conditions

The approved conference, seminar, or workshop must be conducted within six months.

A minimum of one-third of the resource persons must be from an industry background.

One expert can give a maximum of two lectures for the conference, seminar, or workshop.

The coordinator must maintain a webpage for the event on the website of the institute.

The institution must post the link to the funding schemes of the All India Council for Technical Education on its website and the event webpage.

Any change in the programme schedule, coordinator, or venue requires prior approval from the council, failing which the grant offer is automatically withdrawn.

Funds sanctioned for a particular event cannot be utilized for any other programme or conference.

If the event is cancelled, it must be reported immediately, and the grantee must refund the entire amount with a 10% simple interest.

Any unutilized amount must be refunded to the All India Council for Technical Education through Real-Time Gross Settlement or National Electronic Funds Transfer only.

The logo of the All India Council for Technical Education must be prominently displayed on all online and offline information, stage backdrops, podiums, and publicity materials, which must be in an Indian language.

Sources and references

Scheme Guidelines

Eligibility Criteria

You should be a Jute Artisan, a Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME), an Exporter, a Women Self Help Group, or a beneficiary trained by the National Jute Board's production centers.
You need to submit a formal request for the jute bag designs developed by the Jute Design Resource Centre.

Post-Selection Conditions

If you get a trademark for a product, you must pay for all trademark registration costs yourself.
You are responsible for taking legal action if someone copies your trademarked product. The National Jute Board won't handle this.
If you choose the cost-sharing option, you must pay for all the raw materials and accessories used to develop new jute samples.

How To Apply

Submit a formal request using the prescribed format for the jute bag designs you want.
Make sure to fulfill all post-selection conditions, including any cost-sharing for raw materials if you opt for that model.

For any further details or to get the official request format, you can visit the National Jute Board or check their official website.

Documents Required

A copy of your unit's valid registration certificate.
Your Goods and Services Tax (GST) registration number.
A copy of your Importer - Exporter Code (IEC) certificate.
A valid Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC).
Aadhaar number of the proprietor, owner, or chief functionary.
A document showing the caste category of the proprietor, if applicable for allocation purposes.

FAQ’s

If I want to get free product concepts, who pays for the raw materials and accessories?

When you choose the strictly limited free product concepts, the National Jute Board will cover the cost of raw materials and accessories used for development.

What if another company copies a product I've trademarked with my own money?

The National Jute Board is not responsible for trademark infringements. You will need to take legal action yourself against any company that copies your trademarked product.

How long can I exclusively sell a new product design if I pay for its development?

Under the cost-sharing model, you get exclusive rights to market and sell the developed product in both domestic and export markets for exactly 1 year. After this, it can be shared with others.

Can I get financial help to register a trademark for a new product?

No, you must bear the entire cost of trademark registration yourself. You cannot claim any financial assistance from the Jute Design Resource Centre or the National Jute Board for this.

What steps do I need to take to officially ask for the product designs?

You need to submit a formal request using the designated physical requisition format. Make sure all details are filled in and signed correctly.

If I choose the cost-sharing option, what parts of the design process are free for me?

Under the cost-sharing model, the actual design ideas and the labor charges for making the product are provided completely free of cost by the Jute Design Resource Centre.

Are there any limits on how many product designs I can request if I share the costs?

No, if you opt for the cost-sharing method, there's no maximum limit on the number of product concepts you can request. They are provided on a First-In-First-Out basis.

What kind of support documents will I get to help my unit make the products correctly?

You will receive free technical specification sheets that include precise measurements and technical tips. Sample bags will also be available for reference.

What types of organizations or individuals are eligible for this scheme?

The scheme is open to Jute Artisans, Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Exporters, Women Self Help Groups, and beneficiaries trained by National Jute Board centers.

Do I need to mention where I plan to sell the products when I request designs?

Yes, you must clearly state whether the product designs are intended for the domestic market or for export when you submit your request.

If I get a trademark for a new design within the first year, how long will my exclusive rights last?

If you obtain a trademark during the initial one-year confidentiality period, you will have full rights to manufacture, market, and export the product until your registered trademark expires.

How are the new design ideas taught to participants, and are there any fees for training sessions?

The designs are taught through workshops and skill training programs organized at National Jute Board centers or other specified locations. These sessions are provided free of charge.

What specific official registration details do I need to provide when applying?

You must provide a copy of your unit's valid registration certificate, your GST registration number, your Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) certificate, and a valid Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC).

What is the limit on free designs I can get, and during what period?

You can receive up to 2 product designs free of charge per manufacturing unit within each quarter of the year.