Parliament Question: Generating job-ready youth under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 2195 ANSWERED ON – 11.03.2026 GENERATING JOB-READY YOUTH UNDER PRADHAN MANTRI KAUSHAL VIKAS YOJANA 2195. SHRI SANJAY SETH: Will the Minister of SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state:- (a) what outcomes have been achieved under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) in generating job-ready youth, details thereof; (b) whether industry collaboration has improved placement rates for skill training graduates, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (c) how digital skill platforms are supporting rural and semi-urban youth, details thereof; and (d) to what extent recognition of prior learning has benefitted workers in the informal sector, details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY) (a) Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) is implementing its flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), since 2015, for imparting skill development training through Short-Term Training (STT) and up-skilling and re-skilling through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to youth across the country. Under PMKVY, since 2015 to 31.12.2025, a total of 1.64 crore candidates have been trained/oriented across the country, out of which 1.29 crore candidates have been certified. (b) Under PMKVY scheme, placements were tracked in the Short-Term Training (STT) component in the first three versions of the Scheme - PMKVY 1.0, PMKVY 2.0 and PMKVY 3.0, implemented from FY 2015-16 to FY 2021-22. In these versions of PMKVY, out of 56.89 lakh candidates that have been certified in STT, 24.3 lakh candidates have been reported placed which makes the overall placement rate at 42.8%. An evaluation by NITI Aayog (October 2020) indicated that approximately 94 percent of surveyed employers expressed willingness to hire more candidates trained under PMKVY. The study also noted that 52 percent of candidates placed in employment or oriented under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) component reported receiving higher salaries or expecting improved earnings compared to uncertified peers. An independent evaluation of PMKVY 2.0 conducted by the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) found that about 70.5 percent of surveyed candidates were placed in their desired skill sector. Under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0 the focus is to empower our trained candidates to choose their varied career path, either for self-employment or wage-employment, and they are suitably oriented for the same through On-job Training (OJT) embedded industry relevant skill courses.(c) The Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) is a comprehensive digital platform that enhances accessibility, transparency, and effectiveness of skilling resources for learners, job seekers, employers, training partners, and assessment agencies across India. It plays a crucial role in supporting rural and semi-urban youth by enabling online registration for training programs, providing access to digital learning resources, and offering detailed information on job roles and accredited training providers. SIDH also facilitates linkages with employment and apprenticeship opportunities, while enabling transparent monitoring of training, certification, and placement outcomes. By improving the accessibility of skilling opportunities, the platform ensures that youth in rural and semi-urban areas can engage with programs that enhance their employability. (d) Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) has significantly benefited workers in the informal sector by formally validating the skills they have acquired through experience. By providing official certificates, RPL gives these workers formal recognition, making them eligible for structured jobs and improving their employability. The evaluation conducted by NITI Aayog (October 2020) indicated that approximately 94 percent of surveyed employers expressed willingness to hire more candidates trained under PMKVY. The study further highlighted that 52 percent of candidates placed in employment or oriented under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) component reported receiving higher salaries or expecting improved earnings compared to uncertified peers. *****