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Andhra Pradesh handicraft artistry
Government of Andhra Pradesh · Lepakshi Handicrafts
State Handicraft Excellence Awards 2026

Honouring the Hands that Shape Our Heritage

Andhra Pradesh's highest recognition for excellence in craftsmanship, entrepreneurship and community leadership — now open for nominations.

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Nominations close 30 September 2026
6
Award Categories
18+
Craft Categories
10+
Honours Statewide
About the Awards

Recognising Excellence Across the Craft Ecosystem

The Department of Lepakshi Handicrafts invites nominations to honour outstanding artisans, collectives, producer companies, SHGs, cooperatives, MSMEs, startups and exporters who preserve, innovate, produce, promote and commercialise Andhra Pradesh's rich handicraft traditions.

6

Award Categories

18+

Craft Categories

10+

Awards Statewide

1

Lifetime Honour

Celebrating Craftsmanship

Honouring the mastery and skill behind every handmade creation.

Preserving Heritage

Safeguarding centuries-old traditions and endangered crafts.

Inspiring Innovation

Rewarding new ideas that keep our crafts globally competitive.

Empowering Artisans

Building sustainable livelihoods for artisan communities.

Award Categories

Six Ways to Be Recognised

From individual masters to thriving enterprises and collectives — each honour celebrates a distinct contribution to Andhra Pradesh's handicraft legacy.

State MSME Award for Excellence in Handicrafts
012 Awards — Gold & Silver
Category 01

State MSME Award for Excellence in Handicrafts

For enterprises driving quality, innovation and artisan livelihoods.

Recognizes an MSME that has demonstrated excellence in manufacturing, product quality, innovation, artisan development, market expansion, employment generation and sustainable commercialization of handicraft products.

Who Can Apply

Udyam Registered MSMEsProprietorship FirmsPartnership FirmsLLPsPrivate Limited CompaniesProducer CompaniesSocial Enterprises engaged in handicrafts

Eligibility

  • Registered and operational in Andhra Pradesh
  • Minimum three years of operations
  • Primarily engaged in manufacturing, value addition or commercialization of handicrafts
  • Demonstrated contribution towards artisan livelihoods and market development
Nominate
Master Artisan Award
021 Award per Craft Category
Category 02

Master Artisan Award

The highest individual honour for mastery of traditional craft.

The highest individual recognition for an artisan who has demonstrated exceptional mastery of traditional craftsmanship, contributed to preserving heritage skills and mentored the next generation of artisans.

Who Can Apply

Individual ArtisanMaster CraftspersonNational AwardeeArtisan nominated by District Authorities, Associations, SHGs, Producer Companies, NGOs or Government Institutions

Eligibility

  • Resident of Andhra Pradesh
  • Minimum 3 years of continuous practice
  • Demonstrated excellence in traditional craftsmanship
  • Active contribution to skill preservation and artisan mentoring
Nominate
State Award for Innovation in Handicrafts
032 Awards — Gold & Silver
Category 03

State Award for Innovation in Handicrafts

For fresh products, processes and designs rooted in tradition.

Recognizes artisans, startups, MSMEs or organizations that have introduced innovative products, processes, technologies, designs or business models that enhance the competitiveness of Andhra Pradesh handicrafts while preserving their cultural authenticity.

Who Can Apply

Individual ArtisansStartupsMSMEsProducer CompaniesSHGsCooperativesDesign StudiosArtisan Collectives

Eligibility

  • Innovation implemented within the last five years
  • Demonstrated commercial or social impact
  • Supports preservation and growth of handicrafts
Nominate
Handicraft Export Excellence Award
042 Awards — Gold & Silver
Category 04

Handicraft Export Excellence Award

For carrying Andhra Pradesh crafts to global markets.

Recognizes enterprises and organizations that have significantly promoted Andhra Pradesh handicrafts in international markets through exports, branding, quality assurance and market diversification.

Who Can Apply

Export-oriented MSMEsProducer CompaniesCooperativesExport HousesMerchant ExportersArtisan-led Enterprises

Eligibility

  • Minimum three years of export activity
  • Valid Import Export Code (IEC)
  • Demonstrated export performance and compliance
Nominate
Champion Cooperative / Producer Company / SHG / Cluster Award
052 Awards — Gold & Silver
Category 05

Champion Cooperative / Producer Company / SHG / Cluster Award

For collectives that lift artisan communities together.

Recognizes overall performance of collective institutions that have successfully mobilized artisans, improved livelihoods, strengthened traditional crafts, created sustainable enterprises and developed market linkages.

Who Can Apply

Registered CooperativesProducer CompaniesSelf Help Groups (SHGs)Artisan ClustersArtisan Producer Organisations (APOs / FPOs)Cluster Level FederationsCommon Facility Centre (CFC) Management Societies

Eligibility

  • Minimum three years of operation
  • Active engagement in handicraft production, value addition or marketing
  • Demonstrated impact on artisan income and community development
Nominate
State Lifetime Achievement Award for Handicrafts
061 Award — The Highest Honour
Category 06

State Lifetime Achievement Award for Handicrafts

A lifetime devoted to Andhra Pradesh's handicraft heritage.

Recognizes an eminent artisan, master craftsperson or handicraft leader who has devoted a lifetime to the preservation, promotion, development and transmission of Andhra Pradesh's traditional handicrafts over several decades.

Who Can Apply

Individual Master ArtisanSenior CraftspersonNational Awardee / State AwardeeShilp Guru ArtisanNominated by District Authorities, the Department, Associations, NGOs or Institutions

Eligibility

  • Resident of Andhra Pradesh
  • Minimum 20 years of continuous practice in a recognized handicraft
  • Exceptional contribution to preservation and promotion of traditional crafts
  • Has trained or mentored artisans across generations
  • Significant contribution to reviving traditional or endangered crafts
Nominate
Master Artisan Crafts

One Master Artisan Award for Every Craft

The Master Artisan Award honours the finest practitioner in each craft category notified under the Lepakshi Handicrafts Department — including, but not limited to, the crafts below.

Toys & Dolls
Wood Craft
Bamboo & Cane Craft
Leather Craft
Glass Craft
Stone Craft
Metal Craft
Terracotta
Papier Mâché
Papercraft
Artistic Textile
Hand Embroidery
Natural Fibre & Eco-Friendly Crafts
Tribal Crafts
Paintings
Jewellery
Endangered Crafts
Other Notified Handicrafts
Special recognition for
Woman ArtisanDivyang Artisan
Evaluation & Selection

A Fair, Rigorous Selection Process

Every nomination passes through five transparent stages before the final honour is conferred.

1

Preliminary Scrutiny

Initial screening of all applications for completeness and eligibility.

2

Technical Evaluation

In-depth assessment by an Expert Jury against the category parameters.

3

Field Verification

On-ground verification of shortlisted nominees and their work.

4

Presentation & Interaction

Personal interaction and presentation, where required.

5

Final Approval

Final selection by the State Awards Selection Committee.

Key Dates

The Road to December 2026

From the launch of nominations to the felicitation ceremony — here is how the awards unfold.

7 July 2026

Website Launch

The official awards portal goes live and nominations open.

Jul – Sep 2026

Outreach & Nomination Campaign

A three-month state-wide promotion and amplification drive.

30 September 2026

Nomination Deadline

Last date to submit entries across all award categories.

October 2026

Document Verification & Shortlist

First shortlist prepared after verification (15 days).

Oct – Nov 2026

Jury Evaluation & Field Verification

Expert evaluation, field checks and personal interaction (15 days).

End November 2026

Winners Announced

Results of the State Handicraft Excellence Awards declared.

December 2026

Felicitation Ceremony

Winners honoured at the state felicitation ceremony.

Eligible Applicants

Who Can Apply

The awards are open to a wide spectrum of the handicraft ecosystem — from individual artisans to enterprises, collectives and institutions working across Andhra Pradesh.

Individual Artisans
Master Craftspersons
Artisan Clusters
Self Help Groups (SHGs)
Producer Companies
Artisan Cooperatives
Handicraft MSMEs
Value-addition Enterprises
Startups
Exporters
NGOs & Social Enterprises
Producer Organisations
Good to Know

Frequently Asked Questions

Nominations may be submitted through self-nomination or by District Industries Centres, Handicraft Development Corporations, District Collectors, Artisan Associations, Industry Associations, NGOs, Academic & Design Institutions, and Government Departments.

We're Here to Help

Questions About Your Nomination?

From eligibility and documents to the submission process — reach out to the Lepakshi Handicrafts team and we'll be glad to assist you.

Nominate Now

Excellence Deserves to be Recognised

Nominate yourself, an artisan, an enterprise or a collective for the State Handicraft Excellence Awards 2026 and help celebrate the craftsmanship that defines Andhra Pradesh.

Start Your Nomination
Last date to apply: 30 September 2026