The Government of Uttar Pradesh, under chief minister Yogi Adityanath, has worked to protect the ancient art of Maatikala and create lasting livelihoods for traditional clay artisans across the state. The Mukhyamantri Maatikala Rozgar Yojana, administered by the UP Maatikala Board under the Khadi and Village Industries Department, is the government’s commitment to that purpose.Under this scheme, Kumhar community artisans and trained craftspersons receive bank loans of up to Rs. 10 lakh to set up Maatikala-based enterprises. Industries covered include toy manufacturing, household items such as surahis and kulhads, building materials such as floor tiles and pipes, and decorative products such as garden pots and lamps.
Scheme at a glance
Established in 2018 under the Yogi government, the UP Maatikala Board is the first autonomous body in Uttar Pradesh dedicated to the welfare and economic development of clay artisans. The scheme operates across all 75 districts of the state. Applications are submitted online through the official portal, processed by a district-level selection committee, and loans are sanctioned through empanelled banks. Only individual units are established under this scheme.
Who is eligible?
Permanent residents of Uttar Pradesh from the Prajapati or Kumhar community, aged 18 to 55 years, with traditional Maatikala knowledge or relevant training can apply. For loans up to Rs. 5 lakh, basic literacy is sufficient. For loans above Rs. 5 lakh and up to Rs. 10 lakh, the applicant must be minimum Class 8 pass. Reservation for reserved categories is ensured as per government norms.
What you get?
The applicant contributes 5 percent of the project cost. The remaining 95 percent is sanctioned as a bank loan, repayable over 5 years. Of the capital loan amount, 25 percent is provided as margin money subsidy by the government. Loans up to Rs. 5 lakh carry zero interest.To apply, applicants need an Aadhaar card, photograph, educational certificate, caste certificate, residential proof from the Gram Pradhan, and a project report.
Application process
Eligible applicants can apply online at upmatikalaboard. in.Those needing assistance can visit the nearest District Village Industries Office on any working day.
Achievements of the Uttar Pradesh Mati Kala Board since 2017
The Uttar Pradesh Mati Kala Board has played a significant role in reviving the state’s traditional pottery and terracotta sector over the past nine years by improving artisans’ livelihoods, modernizing production, and expanding market access.
- More than 48,000 pottery artisans and their families have been identified and brought under the Board’s welfare initiatives.
- Around 37,000+ potters have been granted permission to extract clay free of cost from village ponds, significantly reducing production costs and ensuring year-round availability of raw material.
- Over 15,900 electric potter’s wheels distributed.
- 375 pug mills supplied to improve clay processing.
- Regular Mati Kala Mahotsav, regional fairs, and district-level exhibitions have connected artisans directly with consumers, eliminating middlemen.
- In 2025–26, Mati Kala fairs generated over Rs 4.20 crore in sales, a 27.7 percent increase over the previous year.
