Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) provided details on the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) in West Bengal, specifically Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts, since 2019. The information includes the number of training centers, youth enrollment, training, certifications, placements, and steps taken to address skill gaps in hilly and rural areas. Data is provided up to June 30, 2025 (FY 2025-26).
Key Points / Main Content:
PMKVY Implementation:
* The MSDE has been implementing the PMKVY scheme since 2015, offering skill training through Short Term Training (STT) and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
Training Centers and Enrollment (PMKVY 4.0):
* Darjeeling: 9 training centers.
* Kalimpong: 2 training centers.
* Enrollment, Training, and Certification Details (FY2019-20 to FY2025-26 as of June 30, 2025):
| District | Category | FY19-20 | FY20-21 | FY21-22 | FY22-23 | FY23-24 | FY24-25 | FY25-26 | Total |
| :---------- | :------------- | :------ | :------ | :------ | :------ | :------ | :------ | :------ | :------ |
| Darjeeling | Enrolled | 15,880 | 340 | 777 | 60 | 1,333 | 315 | - | 18,705 |
| | Trained/Oriented | 13,170 | 2,189 | 1,182 | 446 | 305 | 1,065 | - | 18,357 |
| | Certified | 3,478 | 10,555 | 1,152 | 355 | 76 | 641 | 70 | 16,327 |
| Kalimpong | Enrolled | 293 | 97 | - | 240 | - | 630 | - | - |
| | Trained/Oriented | 204 | 25 | - | 125 | - | 90 | - | 84 |
| | Certified | 148 | 14 | - | 21 | - | 11 | - | 34 |
| | Placed/Self-Employed | - | - | - | - | - | 74 | - | - |
| | Trained/Oriented | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 528 |
| | Enrolled | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 240 |
| | Certified | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 302 |
Placement and Self-Employment:
* PMKVY 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 (FY 2015-16 to FY 2021-22): 3,321 candidates placed/self-employed in Darjeeling and 92 in Kalimpong.
* PMKVY 4.0 focuses on empowering candidates for varied career paths, supported by tools like the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH).
Skill Gap Identification and Mitigation:
* MSDE assesses skilling requirements through skill gap studies, industry consultations, and District Skill Development Plans (DSDPs).
* Emphasis on continuous upskilling and reskilling.
* Government programs are designed to address identified skill gaps.
Steps to Expand Skill Development (PMKVY 4.0):
* Focus on New Age Skills (Industry 4.0, Web 3.0, AR/VR, Climate Change, etc.).
* Emphasis on Reskilling and Upskilling via RPL.
* Greater reliance on On-Job-Training (OJT).
* Flexible course curriculums in partnership with industry.
* Cross-utilization of infrastructure with educational institutions.
* Training aligned to national priorities (semiconductor, 5G, AI, Green Hydrogen, EV, Solar Mission, etc.).
* Skill India Digital (SID) platform for skill enhancement, job opportunities, and entrepreneurship support.
Impact Analysis:
Youth in Darjeeling and Kalimpong:
* Impact: Increased access to skill development programs, potentially leading to improved employability and self-employment opportunities.
* Action Required: Participate in PMKVY training programs and utilize the Skill India Digital platform for further skill enhancement and job opportunities.
Training Centers:
* Impact: Responsible for implementing PMKVY 4.0, providing quality training, and ensuring proper enrollment and certification of candidates.
* Action Required: Align training programs with identified skill gaps, industry needs, and national priorities, and utilize available infrastructure effectively.
MSDE:
* Impact: Responsible for the overall implementation and monitoring of PMKVY, including skill gap analysis, curriculum development, and placement tracking.
* Action Required: Continue to assess skilling requirements, adapt programs to meet evolving industry needs, and ensure effective implementation of PMKVY 4.0 across the country, particularly in hilly and rural areas.
Industry:
* Impact: Potential beneficiaries of a more skilled workforce, enabling them to fill skill gaps and enhance productivity.
* Action Required: Collaborate with MSDE and training centers to develop relevant training programs, provide OJT opportunities, and offer employment to certified candidates.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): A flagship skill development scheme implemented by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE): The Indian government ministry responsible for skill development and entrepreneurship initiatives.
Darjeeling, West Bengal: A district in the state of West Bengal, India, where PMKVY is being implemented.
Kalimpong, West Bengal: A district in the state of West Bengal, India, where PMKVY is being implemented.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): A component of PMKVY focused on reskilling and upskilling individuals based on their existing skills.
Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH): An IT tool that provides opportunities for trained candidates.
District Skill Development Plans (DSDPs): Plans used by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) to regularly assess skilling requirements.
Skill India Digital (SID): A comprehensive and accessible platform for skill enhancement
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3600
ANSWERED ON- 11/08/2025
IMPLEMENTATION OF PMKVY IN WEST BENGAL
3600. SHRI RAJU BISTA:
Will the Minister of SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to
state: -
(a) the details of the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)
in West Bengal, particularly Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts, since 2019;
(b) the number of training centres set up and the number of youth enrolled, trained, and
certified under PMKVY in these two districts during the said period, year-wise;
(c) the number of trained individuals benefited from placement or self-employment
opportunities under the scheme in the said districts;
(d) whether the Government has identified any skill gaps or challenges in implementing
PMKVY in hilly and rural areas in the said districts; and
(e) if so, the steps taken/being taken by the Government to address these issues and
expand skill development opportunities in the region?
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.
Under PMKVY 4.0, 09 training centres have been set up in Darjeeling and 02 Training centres
have been set up in Kalimpong. The financial year-wise details of number of youth enrolled,
trained and certified under PMKVY in these two districts since FY 2019-20 till FY 2025-26 as
on 30.06.2025 is as under:
TC District FY-19-20 FY-20-21 FY-21- FY-22- FY-23- FY-24- FY-25- Total
22 23 24 25 26
1. Darjeeling
Enrolled 15,880 340 777 60 1,333 315 - 18,705
Trained/Oriented 13,170 2,189 1,182 446 305 1,065 - 18,357
Certified 3,478 10,555 1,152 355 76 641 70 16,327
2.Kalimpong
Enrolled 293 - 97 - 240 - - 630
Trained/Oriented 204 25 125 - 90 84 - 528
Certified 148 14 21 11 34 74 - 302c) Under the PMKVY scheme, placements were tracked in the Short-Term Training (STT)
component in the first three versions of the PMKVY Scheme which is PMKVY 1.0, PMKVY 2.0
and PMKVY 3.0 implemented from FY 2015-16 to FY 2021-22. Under PMKVY 4.0, the focus
is to empower our trained candidates to choose their varied career path and they are suitably
oriented for the same. Further various IT tools like skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) also gives this
opportunity.
During the first three versions of PMKVY, 3,321 candidates were reported placed/self-
employed in Darjeeling while in Kalimpong, 92 candidates were reported placed/self-employed.
d) The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) regularly assesses
skilling requirements from domestic, international, and hyperlocal markets through skill gap
studies, industry consultations, and District Skill Development Plans (DSDPs). The initiative
also emphasizes continuous upskilling and reskilling to ensure the workforce remains
adaptable and industry-ready. The DSDPs identify sectors with employment opportunities as
well as the associated demand for skilling across the country including hilly and rural areas,
and map the available facilities for Skill Training. Skill Development Programmes of the
Government are designed and implemented to bridge identified skill gaps across sectors.
e) The government has been taking several steps to ensure the implementation and
expansion of PMKVY 4.0 across the country hilly and rural areas. 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 (SID) platform, 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 including
domestic workers sector covering unorganized sector.
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