Kaushal Vikas Yojna

The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) is the flagship skill development programme of the Government of India, launched to provide employable skills to the country’s youth. The scheme aims to empower individuals through skill training, certification, and employment opportunities, thereby promoting inclusive growth and supporting the broader agenda of economic self-reliance and productivity enhancement.

Background and Introduction

India, with its vast and youthful population, faces a dual challenge — the need to create employment and to ensure that the workforce is equipped with the skills required by modern industries. Recognising this, the Government of India launched the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) on 15 July 2015, the World Youth Skills Day, under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
The scheme was designed to implement the vision of “Skill India Mission”, which seeks to train and certify millions of young Indians in various sectors, aligning their competencies with the needs of the national and global labour markets.
PMKVY replaced earlier fragmented skill initiatives with a comprehensive and standardised framework, focusing on recognition of prior learning (RPL), short-term training, and placement support for certified candidates.

Objectives of the Scheme

The major objectives of the Kaushal Vikas Yojana are:

• To enable a large number of youth to take up skill training that is relevant to industry needs and enhances their employability.
• To increase productivity and promote entrepreneurship through formal skill development.
• To standardise skill certification by aligning training with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF).
• To recognise and certify prior learning, validating the existing skills of workers acquired through informal means.
• To facilitate employment linkages through industry partnerships and placement assistance.
• To strengthen the overall skill ecosystem by creating infrastructure, training capacity, and quality assurance mechanisms.

Evolution and Phases of Implementation

The scheme has evolved through several phases, each expanding in scope and focus:

1. PMKVY 1.0 (2015–2016):
   • The pilot phase trained over 19 lakh candidates across India.
   • Focused on short-term training, RPL, and Kaushal Melas (skill fairs).
   • Emphasis was on mobilising youth participation and creating awareness about vocational training.
2. PMKVY 2.0 (2016–2020):
   • Launched to build on the first phase’s success and expand outreach.
   • Aimed to train 10 million (1 crore) youth over four years.
   • Introduced decentralised implementation through State Skill Development Missions (SSDMs) and District Skill Committees (DSCs).
   • Expanded focus to include placement tracking, quality control, and digital monitoring through the Skill Development Management System (SDMS).
   • Promoted Skill Certification under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for informal sector workers.
3. PMKVY 3.0 (2021–2022):
   • Implemented in the context of post-pandemic recovery, this phase focused on demand-driven skill training.
   • Emphasised localised planning and district-level implementation under the concept of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India).
   • Training programmes were aligned with emerging technologies and local industry needs.
   • Encouraged collaboration between district administrations, industry partners, and academic institutions.
4. PMKVY 4.0 (2023–2026):
   • Announced under the Union Budget 2023–24, this ongoing phase aims to skill lakhs of youth in new-age industries such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, 3D Printing, Drone Technology, and Green Energy.
   • Focus on industry partnerships, on-the-job training, and digital skill development.
   • Greater integration with Digital India and Make in India initiatives.

Key Components of PMKVY

The scheme is structured around several key components designed to ensure comprehensive coverage and effectiveness:

1. Short-Term Training (STT):
   • Targets unemployed youth and school/college dropouts.
   • Training duration ranges from 150 to 300 hours depending on the job role.
   • Training is provided in over 30 sectors such as construction, textiles, healthcare, IT, logistics, and hospitality.
   • Includes modules on soft skills, digital literacy, and financial awareness.
2. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
   • Designed for workers who already possess skills through informal or on-the-job experience.
   • Provides assessment and formal certification of these skills.
   • Encourages upskilling and recognition for workers in the unorganised sector.
3. Special Projects:
   • Allow flexibility for government bodies, industry associations, and corporate entities to undertake skill development initiatives outside the standard framework.
   • Examples include training for defence veterans, tribal populations, or region-specific sectors.
4. Kaushal and Rozgar Melas:
   • Regular job fairs and mobilisation drives are organised to connect trained candidates with potential employers.
5. Placement Assistance:
   • Certified candidates receive support through Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) and placement agencies.
   • Collaboration with industries ensures alignment between training and employment opportunities.

Institutional Framework

PMKVY is implemented through a multi-tiered institutional structure:

• Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE): Nodal ministry responsible for overall policy direction and coordination.
• National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC): Implements the scheme, accredits training partners, and manages certification processes.
• Sector Skill Councils (SSCs): Define occupational standards, job roles, and assessment criteria for specific industries.
• Training Partners and Centres: Accredited by NSDC to conduct training and assessments.
• State Skill Development Missions (SSDMs): Coordinate implementation at the state and district levels.

Funding and Incentives

• The scheme is fully funded by the Government of India.
• Financial support is provided to training partners based on the number of candidates trained, assessed, and certified.
• Successful trainees receive monetary rewards and skill certificates upon completion.
• The government also incentivises industries to engage in apprenticeship programmes and offer employment.

Achievements

Since its inception, PMKVY has made significant progress:

• Trained over 1.3 crore youth across the country by 2023.
• Enhanced employability and entrepreneurship among rural and urban populations.
• Promoted women’s participation in skill development programmes.
• Improved standardisation in vocational training through NSQF alignment.
• Strengthened the collaboration between government, industry, and training institutions.

Challenges

Despite its success, PMKVY faces several challenges:

• Mismatch between training and employment opportunities in some sectors.
• Quality and standardisation issues among training providers.
• Limited long-term employability tracking and data management.
• Regional disparities in access to training infrastructure.
• Need for greater industry participation in curriculum design and placements.

Efforts are being made to overcome these issues through improved digital monitoring, curriculum revisions, and stronger state-level coordination.

Significance and Future Outlook

The Kaushal Vikas Yojana represents a key pillar of India’s human capital development strategy. It directly contributes to:

• Employment generation and economic growth.
• The creation of a skilled workforce to meet domestic and international demand.
• The vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, promoting self-reliance and innovation.
• Empowerment of youth, especially those from marginalised and rural backgrounds.

Under PMKVY 4.0, the scheme’s emphasis on technology-driven skills, green jobs, and industry-linked training will further align India’s workforce with the demands of the 21st-century economy.