Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana
 | This article contains translated text and the factual accuracy of the translation should be checked by someone fluent in Punjabi and English. (August 2026) |
| Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country | India |
| Ministry | Skill Development and Entrepreneurship |
| Launched | 16 July 2015 New Delhi |
| Status | Active |
| Website | www |
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) or otherwise known as Pradhan Mantri Youth Training Program [1] is a skill development initiative scheme of the Government of India for recognition and standardisation of skills.[2]
The aim of the PMKVY scheme is to encourage aptitude towards employable skills and to increase working efficiency of probable and existing daily wage earners, by giving monetary awards and rewards and by providing quality training to them. Average award amount per person has been kept as ₹8,000 (US$83). Those wage earners already possessing a standard level of skill will be given recognition as per scheme and average award amount for them is ₹2000 to ₹2500. In the initial year, a target to distribute ₹15 billion (US$160 million) has been laid down for the scheme. Training programmes have been worked out on the basis of National Occupational Standards (NOS) and qualification packs specifically developed in various sectors of skills. For this qualification plans and quality plans have been developed by various Sector Skill Councils (SSC) created with participation of Industries. National Skill Development Council (NSDC) has been made coordinating and driving agency for the same.[3] The training given to the youth under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana is free.[4]
An outlay of ₹120 billion (US$1.2 billion) has been approved by the cabinet for this project.[5] The scheme has a target to train 1 crore Indian youth from 2016 to 2020.[5] As of 18 July 2016, 17.93 lakh candidates were trained out of 18 lakh who enrolled for the scheme.[3]
PMKVY's emphasis on industry-aligned skills and public-private partnerships inspired states to establish training programs tailored to regional economic needs. States adopted PMKVY's model of short-term courses and placement support to address local unemployment challenges. In Andhra Pradesh, the YSR Congress Party government introduced skill training through village secretariats under schemes like YSR Cheyutha and Jagananna Thodu, offering courses in IT and hospitality in Vijayawada and Guntur. Tamil Nadu's Naan Mudhalvan scheme trains youth in Chennai for technology and corporate roles. Karnataka's Yuva Nidhi initiative in Bengaluru provides skill-based training for manufacturing industries. Uttar Pradesh's Skill Development Mission offers vocational training in Lucknow, focusing on trades like welding. Maharashtra's Maharashtra State Skill Development Society in Mumbai supports youth with training in retail and logistics. These programs adapt PMKVY's model to regional employment needs.
The PMKVY Impact
[edit]| Metric | Data Point | Source / Period |
|---|---|---|
| Total PMKVY 4.0 candidates trained | 27.08 lakh | Govt. of India, Dec 2025 |
| States and UTs covered under PMKVY 4.0 | 36 states, 732 districts | Govt. of India, Dec 2025 |
| Budget utilized under PMKVY 4.0 | Rs. 1,652.89 crore | Apr 2024 - Sep 2025 |
| Dedicated trainer & assessor pool budget | Rs. 200 crore | PMKVY 4.0 outlay |
| Institutions implementing PMKVY 4.0 | 15,500+ | Ministry of MSDE |
| Skill Hubs in schools/colleges/ITIs | 7,000+ | MSDE, 2025 |
| Trainers certified under ToT (PMKVY 4.0) | 34,505 | Apr 2024 - Nov 2025 |
| Assessors certified under ToA (PMKVY 4.0) | 13,844 | Apr 2024 - Nov 2025 |
| Future-skill job roles introduced | 102 new roles | PMKVY 4.0 |
| Customized courses introduced | 77 courses | PMKVY 4.0 |
| India's unemployment rate (2023–24) | 3.2% (down from 6% in 2017–18) | Labour Force Survey |
| Total jobs added in India (2017–24) | 16.83 crore | Govt. Labour Data |
High Demand Sectors
| Sector | Sample Job Roles |
|---|---|
| IT and ITeS | Data Entry Operator, Customer Care Executive, Junior Software Developer |
| Construction | Mason, Bar Bender, Carpenter, Plumber, Electrician |
| Healthcare | General Duty Assistant, Phlebotomy Technician, Home Health Aide |
| Hospitality and Tourism | Food & Beverage Service, Housekeeping Attendant, Tour Guide |
| Automotive | Automotive Service Technician, Two-Wheeler Service Technician |
| Electronics and Hardware | Field Technician - Computing, LED Light Technician |
| Agriculture | Organic Farmer, Soil Testing Technician, Agri-Drone Operator |
| Beauty and Wellness | Hair Stylist, Skin Care Consultant, Yoga Trainer |
| Retail | Retail Sales Associate, Cashier, Visual Merchandiser |
| BFSI (Finance) | Accounts Executive, Microfinance Executive, Insurance Agent |
| Gems and Jewelry | Diamond Processing Worker, Jewelry Repair Technician |
| Green Skills (New in 4.0) | Solar Panel Installer, EV Technician, Waste Management Worker |
| AI and Industry 4.0 (New) | AI/ML Data Annotator, IoT Technician, Drone Operator |
Criticism and controversies
[edit]A performance audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), covering the first three phases of PMKVY implemented between 2015 and 2022, identified deficiencies in beneficiary enrolment, financial management, implementation and monitoring. The audit found that 41% of the 56 lakh candidates certified under the short-term training and special-project components were reported as placed. It also found deficiencies in beneficiary records, including insufficient bank-account information that prevented around 36% of candidates from receiving a ₹500 direct-benefit transfer. The audit further identified weaknesses in Aadhaar-based attendance and physical inspection of training centres, including the use of identical or edited photographs in some records and the absence of geotagging in 84% of inspected cases.[6][7][8]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "Scheme Document of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana" (PDF). www.pmkvyproject.org/. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 August 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
- ↑ Krishna, Prabodh (7 July 2017). "Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana: Boon Or Bane". Businessworld.
- 1 2 "17.93 lakh candidates trained under PMKVY as on July 18", Business Standard, 21 July 2016
- ↑ "Empowering Youth: Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana Offers Free Training Opportunities". Prabhat Khabar. 15 January 2021. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- 1 2 "PM Modi-led Cabinet approves key decisions – from skilling 1 crore youth to NBCC disinvestment", The Financial Express, 13 July 2016
- ↑ "Dummy Emails, Strange Bank Account Numbers, Closed Centres: CAG Flags Issues in Modi Govt's Skilling Scheme". The Wire. 8 January 2026.
- ↑ "Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on Skill Development under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana" (PDF). Comptroller and Auditor General of India. 2025.
- ↑ "CAG has exposed 'massive scam' in Kaushal Vikas Yojana: Congress". The Times of India. 12 January 2026.