Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) is implementing the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) since 2015 to empower youth through skill development. The scheme includes provisions for minority communities, women, and marginalized groups, and integrates efforts with industry partners and the Handicrafts Export Promotion Council (EPCH) to enhance employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. PMKVY 4.0 emphasizes new-age skills and on-the-job training, with a focus on aligning training with national priorities.
Key Points / Main Content:
PMKVY Initiatives:
* Skill training is imparted through Short Term Training (STT) and Re-skilling and Upskilling through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
* Special Projects are in place to empower minority communities and underrepresented social groups, including women and PwDs.
* Special provisions, such as conveyance and boarding lodging expenses and post-placement support, encourage women's participation in skill development programs.
* PMKVY 4.0 prioritizes projects that emphasize women as primary beneficiaries and align with local skill demands.
Role of the Handicrafts Export Promotion Council (EPCH):
* EPCH enhances market access for artisans trained under PMKVY by facilitating participation in trade fairs and exhibitions.
* EPCH supports design innovation, product diversification, and marketing strategies.
Government Support for Industry Partners:
* Focus on New Age Skills including Industry 4.0, Web 3.0 and others.
* Emphasis on Reskilling, and Upskilling under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
* Greater reliance on On-Job-Training (OJT).
* Flexibility in course curriculums via industry partnerships.
* Cross utilization of infrastructure with educational institutions.
* Training aligned to National Priorities.
Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH):
* SIDH is a platform offering industry-relevant skill courses, job opportunities, and entrepreneurship support.
Impact Analysis:
Minority Communities, Women, and Marginalized Groups:
* Impact: Enhanced access to skill development and entrepreneurship opportunities through targeted programs and financial support.
* Action Required: Participate in PMKVY schemes and leverage available resources for skill enhancement and employment.
Artisans:
* Impact: Improved market access and livelihood outcomes through EPCH's support in trade fairs, design innovation, and marketing strategies.
* Action Required: Engage with EPCH to showcase products, participate in trade events, and adapt to emerging market needs.
Industry Partners:
* Impact: Access to a pool of skilled workforce trained in new-age skills and aligned with industry needs.
* Action Required: Collaborate with MSDE to design course curriculums, offer on-the-job training, and provide employment opportunities to PMKVY-trained individuals.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): A flagship scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) to impart skill training to youth in India.
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE): The Indian government ministry responsible for skill development and entrepreneurship initiatives.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): A component of PMKVY focused on re-skilling and up-skilling individuals based on their existing skills.
Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH): An organization that supports artisans trained under PMKVY by enhancing market access through trade fairs and other initiatives.
Handicrafts Sector Skill Council (HCSSC): The promoting body of the Handicrafts Sector Skill Council, plays a pivotal role in supporting artisans trained under PMKVY.
Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH): A platform for skill enhancement, offering industry-relevant skill courses, job opportunities, and entrepreneurship support.
Industry 4.0: A focus area for new age skills training under PMKVY, related to advanced technologies in manufacturing and industry.
Aspirational Districts: Geographic areas targeted for special projects under PMKVY to empower minority communities and underrepresented social groups.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2502
ANSWERED ON – 04/08/2025
EMPOWERMENT OF MINORITY COMMUNITIES UNDER PMKVY
2502. SHRI BUNTY VIVEK SAHU:
Will the Minister of SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP be
pleased to state: -
(a) the efforts being made in the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) to
empower minority communities through skill development and entrepreneurship;
(b) the manner in which the said scheme helps women belonging to minority
community in the field of leadership and entrepreneurship initiatives;
(c) the role of the Handicrafts Export Promotion Council play in availability of
market to the artisans under the said scheme; and
(d) the details of the support being extended by the Government to the industry
partners to ensure better employment opportunities to persons trained under the
PMKVY?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF
SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
(SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)
a) & b) Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) is implementing
its flagship Scheme Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) since 2015.
Under PMKVY, skill training is imparted through Short Term Training (STT) and Re-
skilling and Up-skilling through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to youth across the
country.
The Scheme has a provision of Special Projects to empower minority communities
ensuring coverage of under-represented social groups - SC/ ST/ Women/ PwDs and
geographic areas such as Aspirational Districts, LWE, Tribal districts, etc. Special
attention has been given to women, tribal communities, and other marginalized groups
in rural areas to promote their participation in the skill development
programs. To encourage participation of women including women belonging to
minority communities in skill development programs, special provisions have been
made for meeting expenditure on conveyance and boarding & lodging as well as
enhanced post placement support. Further, PMKVY 4.0 prioritizes and provides
special focus to projects that emphasize women as primary beneficiaries. Projects are
designed to align with local skill demands, creating opportunities for rural women to
participate and benefit from skill development schemes.
c) The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), which is also the
promoting body of the Handicrafts Sector Skill Council (HCSSC), plays a pivotal role in
supporting artisans trained under PMKVY. EPCH works to enhance market access by
facilitating participation of artisans in domestic and international trade fairs, buyer-seller meets, and exhibitions. It supports design innovation, product diversification,
and marketing strategies tailored to emerging market needs. This integration
significantly improves the post-training livelihood outcomes for beneficiaries in the
handicraft and carpet sectors.
d) The government has been taking several steps to ensure the implementation
and expansion of PMKVY 4.0 across the country. These efforts aim to address skill
gaps, improve employability, and support economic growth. A few of them are as
under:
i. Focus on New Age Skills like Industry 4.0, Web 3.0, AR/VR, Climate Change,
Circular Economy, Green Economy, and Energy Transition.
ii. Emphasis on Re-skilling, and Up-skilling under Recognition of Prior Learning
(RPL) through innovations in assessment, better monitoring.
iii. Greater reliance on On-Job-Training (OJT) for better practical exposure
to candidates.
iv. Flexibility in course curriculums by introducing courses in partnership with
industry.
v. Cross utilisation of available infrastructure with the educational institutions viz.
ITIs/Schools/Colleges/Universities/Central and State Government Institutions etc.
vi. Training aligned to National Priorities and Policy Announcements focusing on
clusters in sectors like semiconductor, 5G, AI, Green Hydrogen, EV, Solar
Mission, Care, Tourism.
The Ministry has also launched Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), a comprehensive and
accessible platform for skill enhancement, offering industry-relevant skill courses,
job opportunities, and entrepreneurship support to youth of the country in various
sectors.
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