An Overview About PMKVY

As per the studies recently conducted, India is one of the youngest countries in the world. Over 600 million, i.e. half of the Indian population is under 25 years old & a quarter of the population is under 14. This suggests that India is a growing economy & any hindrance in the education system can affect the development graph of the people as well as the economy.

But the ratio of dropout from school is really surprising. As per the Business Standard, the ratio of drop out from school in primary level in the year 2014-15 was 4.13%, it was 4.03% in the upper primary level which was extended up to 17.06% at the secondary level. Also, the ratio of unemployed youth in India is too high which approximately 6.2%. This data is alarming for a developing country which is growing at a very faster rate. In the last 5 years, India has witnessed a growth rate of more than 12%. To fight against this unemployment, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) was introduced by the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE).

Introduction to Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)

PMKVY- Kaushal Vikas Yojana as the name suggests is a skill training scheme which was launched to provide employment to the skilled workforce. This scheme was introduced with a target of offering industry-related skills to over 10 million youth in the time period of 2016-2020. The government is responsible for bearing all the charges & therefore the candidates who enroll in this scheme don’t need to pay any amount.

Objectives of PMKVY

The objectives PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana are listed below:

• To train the youth & school/college dropout with industry-related skills
• To give placement & financial assistance to qualified skilled candidates.

The Process of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana Courses

NSDC (National Skill Development Corporation) is the main responsible government body for the implementation of the Kaushal Vikas Yojana. The scheme comprises of the central/state programs. The government of the state & the Sector Skill Council is responsible for closely monitoring & maintaining the training level. The skill training provided to the candidates must meet the training standard & guidelines set by the government. Also, for becoming an approved training provider under the scheme it is mandatory for the training providers to register on the SMART portal.

Pradhan Mantri Skill Development Program has Three Components:

1. Short term Training (STT)
2. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
3. Special projects

Now let us discuss these three components in brief:

STT: In this module, training is provided to the dropouts of school/college in accordance with the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF). PMKVY courses list constitutes courses in entrepreneurship, finances, digital literacy etc. The course duration may vary from 150 hours to 300 hours as per the job requirements.

RPL: In this module, an assessment certification is provided to the candidates having prior knowledge & skills. Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) also offers some bridging courses that are beneficial for the candidates to bridge the gap between skills & expertise.

Special Projects: This special module has been designed by the government to provide training for specialized roles in corporate, industrial & government sectors. This module also covers the job roles not defined under National Occupational Standards.

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra offer courses catering to different segments of the industry like work ethics, cleanliness, personal grooming, soft skills etc. depending on the course structure the duration of the course vary from 3 Months to 1 Year. The government pays around Rs. 8000 on behalf of the candidates.

After completing the courses, a proper assessment is organised by the approved agency SSC to evaluate the candidate. If the candidate clears the assessment test, he/she is awarded a government certificate & a skill card. The government also provides and provision of reapplying for the candidates who don’t pass the assessment innumerable times. However, here the candidate needs to pay the evaluation fees. For clearing the assessment Aadhar Card of the candidate is mandatory. Besides paying the fee, the government also provides proper help to the candidates in terms of financial services & job placement.

Eligibility for Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)

Following are the criteria to be eligible for PM Kaushal Yojana

• The candidates must be an Indian citizen with a valid identity proof such as Aadhar Card, Voter’s ID Card or bank details.

• The candidate must be drop out of the school/college or academic institution. He/she must be unemployed.

Benefits of PMKVY

PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana is beneficial not only for the candidates but for the nation as well. Let’s discuss some of the benefits of this scheme.

• The scheme provides industry-related skills free of cost to the deserving candidates who have dropped out of school/ college & need to be employed,
• This scheme offers a method of livelihood to the candidate by providing a valid certificate & Skill India card which can be used for getting employment.
• Qualified candidates receive financial assistance & support in job placement from the government.
• The scheme also offers training to the youth so as to enhance their skill & bridge the gap between skill & knowledge.
• It is also beneficial for the country’s economy as the qualified candidates contribute towards building the country’s economy.

Courtesy – Digital collection