Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor, J&K
Shri Manoj Sinha
Profile retained from the earlier department homepage reference as a senior public leadership figure associated with Jammu & Kashmir.
Government public portal
Directorate of Handicrafts & Handloom Kashmir
Preserving living craft traditions, strengthening artisan livelihoods, and promoting Kashmir's handwoven and handmade heritage across markets.
20+
craft and handloom varieties
7
GI protected valley crafts
1957
School of Design established
4
core support areas
Founder profiles
Profiles retained from the original home page
These profiles preserve the people and references shared from the earlier Handicrafts & Handloom Kashmir website archive.
Commissioner/Secretary to the Government
Shri Vikramjit Singh, IPS
Industries and Commerce Department profile carried forward from the original reference material.
Director, Handicrafts & Handloom Kashmir
Mr. Mahmood Ahmad Shah (JKAS)
Original director profile connected to the welcome message on preserving, developing, and promoting Kashmir's living craft heritage.
About the directorate
A cleaner gateway for Kashmir's craft heritage
The Directorate works to preserve, develop, and promote Kashmir's textile, non-textile, floor covering, and handloom arts. Its mandate spans skill training, design access, preservation, financial handholding, awards, exhibitions, and market linkage for artisans and weavers.
Artisans, citizens, buyers, and craft entrepreneurs can use the portal to find schemes, training, authenticity guidance, market information, and departmental updates.
Featured crafts
World-renowned Kashmiri workmanship
Each craft highlight leads visitors toward authentic products, artisan skills, and market opportunities.
Kashmiri Shawls
Kani and sozni shawls are among Kashmir's best-known textile traditions, valued for detail, texture, color, and hand skill.
Walnut Woodwork
Walnut carving brings floral and geometric motifs into functional objects, panels, furniture, and decorative forms.
Exhibitions & Market Linkage
Trade fairs and exhibitions help connect artisans with national markets, buyers, and institutions.
Product Range
Shawls, papier mache, chain stitch, crewel, namdha, wood carving, and other crafts form a diverse public heritage economy.
Citizen and artisan services
Clear paths to departmental support
Training & Skill Upgradation
Training centres support new skilled manpower and help artisans refine existing craft capabilities.
Design & Preservation
The School of Design supports new design access and preservation of rare, refined handicraft traditions.
Credit & Handholding
Artisan and weaver credit support helps craft workers access formal financial assistance.
Awards & Market Linkage
State awards, fairs, and exhibitions recognize excellence and create routes to wider markets.
Start here
Need help with a craft, training, or artisan scheme?
Choose the most relevant route and connect with the department's public information channels.
Authenticity
Protecting artisans from fake products
Geographical Indication protection is a key public-interest measure against imitation products. The department has brought seven valley crafts under GI protection and continues to extend authenticity safeguards to other crafts.
Report concerns or request informationLeadership
Department leadership overview
Public leadership listing, last checked on 22 June 2026.
Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor, J&K
Shri Manoj Sinha
Hon'ble Chief Minister, J&K UT
Sh. Omar Abdullah
Hon'ble Dy. Chief Minister, J&K UT Minister, I&C Department
Sh. Surinder Kumar Choudhary
Commissioner/Secretary to Govt., Industries & Commerce Deptt.
Sh. Vikramjit Singh
Director, Handicrafts & Handloom Kashmir
Mr. Mussarat Islam (JKAS)
From the Director's Desk
A living heritage carried by skilled hands
Kashmir's craft identity is built through generations of mastery. The department's public work is to preserve this living heritage, develop new design and skill pathways, and support artisans and weavers with practical schemes, market access, and recognition.
Citizens, craft entrepreneurs, and connoisseurs are invited to engage with the department's schemes, share suggestions, and support authentic Kashmir arts.
Events & notifications