The Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) Yojana is a Central Sector Scheme launched in 2020-21 by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Its primary objective is to enhance the competency levels of marginalized individuals, specifically Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Castes (OBCs), Denotified Tribes (DNTs), Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), and Safai Karamcharis (including waste pickers), to improve their employability in both wage and self-employment sectors, thereby fostering their socio-economic development. The scheme addresses the needs of these groups by providing training and enhancing their competencies, recognizing that many possess minimal economic assets. Eligibility criteria include an annual family income limit of less than Rs. 3.0 lakh for OBC and EWS candidates, while no income limit applies to SC, DNT, and Safai Karamchari candidates. The approved budget for the scheme is Rs. 450 Crore for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26, with a budget estimate of Rs. 130 Crore allocated for 2025-26. There has been no change in this budget estimate.
Key Entities Referenced
PM-DAKSH Yojana: Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) Yojana, a National Action Plan for skilling marginalized individuals.
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: The Indian government ministry responsible for the PM-DAKSH Yojana and addressing the needs of marginalized communities.
Scheduled Castes (SCs): One of the target groups for the PM-DAKSH Yojana, referring to historically disadvantaged communities in India.
Other Backward Castes (OBCs): Another target group for the PM-DAKSH Yojana, referring to socially and educationally backward communities in India.
Denotified Tribes (DNTs): A target group for the PM-DAKSH Yojana, referring to communities formerly classified as criminal tribes in India.
Economically Weaker Section (EWS): A target group for the PM-DAKSH Yojana, referring to individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Safai Karamcharis: A target group for the PM-DAKSH Yojana, referring to sanitation workers, including waste pickers.
Central Sector Scheme: Describes PMDAKSH Scheme, implying funding is directly from the central government.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTTON NO.l469
TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.07.2025
OBJECTIVES OF PM.DAKSH YOJANA
1469. SHRI RAJESH NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA:
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:
(a) the specific objectives of the Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (pM-
DAKSH) Yojana;
(b) the manner in which this National Action Plan for skilling is designed to address the needs of
marginalised individuals, encompassing SCs, OBCs, EBCs, DNTs, and sanitation workers,
including waste pickers;
(c) whether there has been any change in the budget allocation for the PM-DAKSH; and
(d) if so, the details thereofl
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(sHRr B.L.VERMA)
(a) & (b): PM-DAKSH Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme which was launchedin2020-21 with
an objective to enhance competency level of the different target groups like Scheduled Caste's
(SCs), Other Backward Caste's (OBCs), De-notified Tribes (DNTs), Economically Weaker
Section (EWS), Safai Karamcharis including Waste Pickers to make them employable both in
wage-employment and self- employment for their social economic development. Most of the
persons from the target group are having minimal economic assets; therefore, provision of
training and enhancing their competencies is essential for economic empowerrnent/ upliftment of
these marginalized target groups.
Under the scheme, any Other Backward Caste's (OBCs) and Economically Weaker Section
(EWS) candidates whose annual family income is less than Rs. 3.0 lakh is eligible to get training
whereas there is no income limit for the candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste's (SCs)/De-
notified Tribes (DNTs), Safai Karamcharis including waste pickers.
(c) & (d): The scheme has been approved for an amount of Rs. 450 Cr. from the years 2021-22
to2025-26. There has been no change in Budget Estimate of 2025-26, which is Rs. 130 Crore
under PM-DAKSH Scheme.
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