The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is organizing the SHILP SAMAGAM MELA 2026 at Mysuru Dasara Exhibition Grounds in Karnataka from October 11 to October 19, 2026. This 9-day event provides a marketing platform for products made by beneficiaries from Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, and Safai Karamcharis, including artisans supported by three National Corporations: National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC), and National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC).
The Mysuru edition is the first SHILP SAMAGAM MELA of financial year 2026-27 and features 83 stalls, with 80 allocated to artisans including 37 women artisans. Artisans from 12 states and union territories are participating: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, Puducherry, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh. The exhibition showcases traditional handicraft items, handloom sarees, spices, pickles, incense sticks, honey products, block-printed products, Kanjivaram sarees, leather goods, wooden toys, bags and purses, terracotta products, artificial jewellery, rosewood wall hangings, and bed and cushion covers.
The Ministry provides comprehensive support to participating artisans including free stalls, travel expenses, daily allowance, transportation of goods, and meals (lunch and dinner). Since 2022, the Ministry has organized 13 such fairs that have benefited 975 artisans. The initiative also serves to disseminate information about the schemes and programmes of the Ministry and its three national corporations.
A new initiative called BHARAT TULIP (Traditional Artisans' Upliftment Livelihood Programme) has been introduced to expand market access through digital platforms in India and abroad, with products branded as BHARAT TULIP to enhance visibility and facilitate online sales. For FY 2026-27, the Ministry plans additional SHILP SAMAGAM fairs at Guwahati, Dilli Haat in New Delhi, Jodhpur, and Lucknow. The Ministry and its three corporations will also participate in major exhibitions including the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi from November 14-27, 2026, and the Surajkund Mela in Faridabad in February 2027.