On October 8, 2025, the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Palakkad, Kerala, for a skilling project under the Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) scheme. Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Shri George Kurian emphasized the importance of PMVIKAS in enhancing employability, innovation, and sustainable livelihoods.
Under this collaboration, IIT Palakkad will be the implementation partner of the Ministry and will train 400 candidates, focusing on minority communities. 150 trainees each will be trained as Junior Chip Designers and Embedded Software Engineers, while 100 trainees will be trained as Junior Engineers (Drone R&D).
The Ministry of Minority Affairs will bear the entire cost of the training. IIT Palakkad will execute the training programme. Trainees will receive a stipend and placement support upon completion.
The event was attended by Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Secretary (Minority Affairs); Professor A. Seshadri Sekhar, Director (IIT Palakkad); officials from the Ministry and IIT, faculty members, students, and PM VIKAS aspirants. The initiative aims to empower individuals from minority communities in Kerala by equipping them with future-ready technical skills in emerging domains.
Release ID: 2176389
Key Entities Referenced
PM VIKAS: Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan scheme, a skilling program focused on the socio-economic empowerment of minority communities.
Ministry of Minority Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for implementing the PM VIKAS scheme and signing the MoU with IIT Palakkad.
IIT Palakkad: The Indian Institute of Technology in Palakkad, Kerala, serving as the implementing partner for the skilling project under the PM VIKAS scheme.
Kerala: The state in India where the skilling program under PM VIKAS scheme is being implemented.
Ministry of Minority Affairs
MoU signed for Skilling Project under PM VIKAS
Scheme between Ministry of Minority Affairs and IIT
Palakkad, Kerala
Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries,
Animal Husbandry & Dairying , Shri George Kurian
emphasised importance of PMVIKAS and its role in
enhancing employability, innovation, and creation of
sustainable livelihoods
Posted On: 08 OCT 2025 5:29PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, signed an MoU for a skilling project under the
Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) scheme with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)
Palakkad, on 8th October 2025 at Palakkad, Kerala.
The MoU signing event was graced by Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, Animal
Husbandry & Dairying , Shri George Kurian as Chief Guest. The initiative aims to empower
individuals from minority communities in Kerala by equipping them with future-ready technical skills
in emerging domains, in alignment with the objectives of the PM VIKAS scheme.Under this collaboration, IIT Palakkad will be the implementation partner of the Ministry to train 400
candidates with a focus on minority communities. A total of 150 trainees each will be trained as Junior Chip
Designers and Embedded Software Engineers, respectively, while 100 trainees will be trained as Junior
Engineers (Drone R&D).
The entire cost of training will be borne by Ministry of Minority Affairs. IIT Palakkad will serve as the
implementing institution, responsible for executing the training programme. The trainees will receive a
stipend during the training period and will be provided placement support for both employment and self-
employment opportunities upon completion.
The event was attended by Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Secretary (Minority Affairs); Professor A. Seshadri
Sekhar, Director (IIT Palakkad); officials from the Ministry and IIT, faculty members, students, and PM
VIKAS aspirants.
Minister of State, Shri George Kurian while addressing the gathering, emphasised that PM VIKAS scheme is
a flagship initiative of the Government of India focused on the socio-economic empowerment of minority
communities through skill development and entrepreneurship promotion. He highlighted that such initiatives
enhance employability, foster innovation, and contribute to the creation of sustainable livelihoods.
The implementation of this project at IIT Palakkad, an Institute of National Importance known for itsemphasis on technology, innovation, and incubation, is expected to significantly strengthen capacity building
and skill development among minority communities in Kerala, thereby contributing to their overall socio-
economic upliftment.
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SS/AK
(Release ID: 2176389)