Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) Celebrates a Decade of Empowering India’s Youth

New Delhi: The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), India’s flagship skill development scheme, marks a monumental milestone as it completes 10 years of transforming the nation’s workforce. Launched on July 15, 2015, by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and implemented by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), PMKVY has empowered over 1.63 crore youth with industry-relevant skills, fostering employability, entrepreneurship, and economic growth. As the scheme progresses into its fourth phase, PMKVY 4.0, it continues to align with India’s vision of becoming a self-reliant and developed nation (Atmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat).

Introduction to PMKVY: A Decade of Skill Development

India’s youthful demographic is a powerful asset, but unlocking its potential requires equipping the population with relevant skills. The Skill India Mission (SIM), under which PMKVY operates, addresses this need by delivering skill, re-skill, and up-skill training through a vast network of skill development centers. Since its inception in 2015, PMKVY has been a cornerstone of SIM, training youth across diverse sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, IT, electronics, retail, and more. By integrating with national initiatives like Make in India, Digital India, and Swachh Bharat, PMKVY ensures alignment with India’s broader developmental goals.

As of July 11, 2025, PMKVY 4.0 has trained over 25 lakh candidates, contributing to the 6 crore Indians empowered by MSDE schemes since 2014. With a focus on inclusivity, innovation, and future-ready skills, PMKVY is shaping a skilled, entrepreneurial, and globally competitive workforce.

Objectives of PMKVY

The primary goal of PMKVY is to enhance employability and promote self-employment by providing free, industry-aligned skill training. Its key objectives include:

• Enhancing Employability: Equipping youth with skills to secure better job opportunities.
• Promoting Industry-Relevant Skills: Aligning training programs with market demands.
• Encouraging Self-Employment: Supporting entrepreneurship through financial literacy and skill certification.
• Recognizing Prior Learning (RPL): Certifying individuals with informal skills to boost employability.
• Boosting Economic Growth: Creating a skilled workforce to meet the demands of various sectors.

Key Features of PMKVY

PMKVY offers a comprehensive framework for skill development, encompassing multiple components tailored to diverse needs:

1. Short-Term Training (STT)

• Provides free training for school/college dropouts and unemployed youth.
• Covers over 40 sectors, including IT, healthcare, retail, construction, and hospitality.
• Includes soft skills, financial literacy, and digital literacy in the curriculum.
• Course duration ranges from 150 to 600 hours (typically 2-3 months).
• Offers placement assistance post-training.

2. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

• Certifies individuals with existing skills acquired informally.
• Targets workers in sectors like construction, agriculture, and handicrafts.
• Enhances employability through formal certification.

3. Special Projects

• Customized training for specific groups, industries, or locations.
• Includes corporate training, government partnerships, and programs for marginalized communities.

4. Placement and Career Support

• Provides job placement assistance through Training Providers and Skill India centers.
• Offers entrepreneurship guidance and financial literacy training.

5. Monetary Rewards and Certification

• Candidates receive a government-recognized certificate upon course completion.
• A Rs. 500 reward is given for clearing the certification exam.

6. Sector Skill Councils (SSCs)

• Training aligns with National Occupational Standards (NOS) set by SSCs.
• Ensures quality and relevance in skill programs.

Eligibility and Application Process

PMKVY is inclusive, welcoming a diverse range of candidates:

• Unemployed youth and those seeking job-oriented skills.
• School/college dropouts needing vocational training.
• Individuals with existing skills for RPL certification.
• Women and marginalized groups are encouraged to apply.
• Indian citizens aged 15–45 years.
• No educational qualifications are required, making PMKVY accessible to all.

How to Apply for PMKVY

1. Find a Training Center: Visit the official PMKVY portal (https://www.pmkvyofficial.org) and use the “Find a Training Center” feature.
2. Choose a Course: Select from approved skill training programs aligned with career interests.
3. Register: Register online or at a training center with an Aadhaar Card, passport-size photos, and bank account details.
4. Attend Training: Complete theoretical and practical sessions, including soft skills and digital literacy.
5. Assessment & Certification: Pass an assessment test to receive a government-recognized certificate.
6. Job Placement: Receive assistance for job placement or entrepreneurship support.

PMKVY Implementation Framework

PMKVY operates through a robust ecosystem involving multiple stakeholders:

• National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC): Oversees implementation and ensures industry alignment through SSCs.
• Training Providers & Centers: Accredited government and private centers deliver quality training.
• State Governments & District Authorities: Mobilize candidates and implement programs locally.
• Industry Partners: Provide internships, on-the-job training, and employment opportunities.

Evolution of PMKVY: From 1.0 to 4.0

PMKVY 1.0 (2015–16)

• Pilot phase trained 19.85 lakh candidates.
• Laid the foundation for short-term skilling.

PMKVY 2.0 (2016–20)

• Scaled up to train/orient 1.10 crore candidates.
• Aligned with national missions like Make in India and Digital India.

PMKVY 3.0 (2020–22)

• Trained 7.37 lakh candidates, including:
  • 1.20 lakh under the Customised Crash Course Programme for COVID Warriors (CCCP-CW).
  • 1.8 lakh under the Skill Hub Initiative (SHI), integrating vocational and general education per the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• The placement rate for STT candidates was 42.8%.

PMKVY 4.0 (2022–25)

• As of July 11, 2025, trained over 25 lakh candidates.
• Utilized Rs. 1244.52 crore across States/UTs (2022–25).
• Integrated with the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) for digital tracking, Aadhaar-based validation, and performance-linked payments.
• Supports credit transfer through the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC).

Key Achievements of PMKVY

Over the past decade, PMKVY has made significant strides:

• Over 1.63 crore youth trained since 2015 across diverse sectors.
• Inclusivity: 45% women participation and significant inclusion of SCs, STs, and OBCs.
• Targeted Skilling:
  • 2,500 Bru-tribe candidates trained in Tripura.
  • Training for prison inmates in Assam and Manipur.
  • 13,834 candidates (70% women) under the PANKH project across 18 states.
• Traditional Crafts: Trained 2,243 women in Jammu & Kashmir’s Namda craft and 9,605 artisans/weavers in Nagaland and J&K.
• Future-Ready Workforce: Introduced courses in AI, IoT, Robotics, 5G Technology, Cybersecurity, Drones, and Green Hydrogen.
• COVID-19 Response: Trained over 1.2 lakh health workers through CCCP-CW.
• Skill Hub Initiative: Trained 1.23 lakh youth using schools/colleges as vocational hubs.
• Digital Reforms: SIDH ensures transparency and efficiency in training and payments.

Integration with Other Schemes

PMKVY is part of the restructured Skill India Programme (2022–26), which merges:

• PMKVY 4.0: Short-term training and RPL.
• Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS): Trained over 26 lakh people (2018–24), focusing on non-literates, neo-literates, and dropouts.
• National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS): Engaged 43.47 lakh apprentices across 36 States/UTs as of May 19, 2025, with over 51,000 establishments participating.

Other schemes complementing PMKVY include:

• PM Vishwakarma Yojana (launched September 17, 2023): Supports artisans in 18 trades with certificates, skill upgrades, toolkits, credit, and marketing. Over 2.7 crore applications submitted, with 29 lakh registered as of July 13, 2025.
• Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY): Trained 16.90 lakh candidates and placed 10.97 lakh (65%) by November 2024.
• Rural Self Employment and Training Institutes (RSETIs): Trained 56.69 lakh candidates in 2025–26, up from 22.89 lakh in 2016–17.

New Initiatives: Centres of Excellence

On June 16, 2025, two new Centres of Excellence were announced at National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) in Hyderabad and Chennai. These centers will focus on high-quality instructor training and specialized skilling in emerging domains, ensuring India’s workforce remains globally competitive.

Challenges and Standing Committee Observations

The Standing Committee on Labour, Textiles and Skill Development (September 5, 2022) highlighted several challenges:

• Fund Utilization: Only 72% of the Rs. 1,438 crore allocated for PMKVY 3.0 in 2021–22 was utilized, with 43% of Rs. 686 crore spent by June 30, 2022, due to COVID-19 restrictions.
• Placements: Only 23% of 91.4 lakh candidates in PMKVY 2.0 and 8% of 4 lakh candidates in PMKVY 3.0 were placed. The Committee recommended enhancing placements and transparency in certification.
• Dropouts: 20% dropout rate due to medical issues, distance to training centers, job accessibility, and female-specific challenges like pregnancy and marriage.
• Industry Misalignment: Training courses often do not meet industry requirements, and placement reporting is cumbersome.
• CSSM Component Issues: Delays in fund releases, lack of eligible trainers, and limited placement partners in less industrialized states.
• Online Management Systems: Only 15 of 36 States/UTs have functional systems for the Centrally Sponsored State Managed (CSSM) component.

Government’s Response

• Strengthening monitoring and evaluation.
• Enhancing industry partnerships for better placements.
• Expanding apprenticeships for hands-on experience.
• Working with states to resolve CSSM issues and establish online systems.
• Increasing participation in Rozgar Melas, which shortlisted 2.6 lakh candidates across 1,577 events.

Impact of PMKVY

PMKVY has transformed India’s skill ecosystem:

• Trained over 1.37 crore youth, boosting employment rates.
• Empowered women and marginalized groups, with 45% female participation.
• Supported national initiatives like PM Surya Ghar, Vibrant Villages Programme, and Green Hydrogen Mission.
• Fostered entrepreneurship through financial literacy and self-employment support.

Conclusion: A Vision for a Skilled India

The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana is more than a government program—it’s a movement to empower India’s youth with the skills and confidence to thrive in a dynamic global economy. By addressing challenges, embracing innovation, and prioritizing inclusivity, PMKVY is paving the way for a skilled, entrepreneurial, and self-reliant workforce. As India strides toward a knowledge-driven future, PMKVY remains a cornerstone of the Skill India Mission, ensuring the nation’s demographic dividend is fully realized.

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