Parliament Question: Socio-Economic Empowerment of Women

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5552 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.03.2026 SOCIO-ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN 5552. MD. RAKIBUL HUSSAIN: Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has implemented various schemes/initiatives for the socio-economic empowerment, skill development and livelihood support of women in Dhubri district, if so, the details thereof; (b) the details of said schemes being implemented by the Ministry including programmes related to women's welfare, self-reliance and economic empowerment as listed on the official website of the Ministry of Women and Child Development; (c) the number of beneficiaries from the said district who have availed benefits under these schemes during the last five years, scheme-wise; (d) whether the Government has taken initiatives to promote awareness and outreach activities among women in rural and remote areas of Dhubri district so that they may avail themselves of the benefits of various welfare schemes; and (e) if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SAVITRI THAKUR) (a) to (e): The Government gives utmost priority to the safety, security and empowerment of women in the country. Government has adopted multi-pronged approach to address the needs of women on a life-cycle continuum basis for their educational, social, economic and political empowerment so that they become equal partners in fast paced and sustainable national development. This ‘Women led development’ is essential for realising the goal of a developed India, or ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047. The Ministry of Women and Child Development is implementing Centrally Sponsored Schemes in the country for the welfare of women and children, which are placed under three verticals, viz. (1) Mission Shakti, for safety, protection and empowerment of women; (2) Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0 for improving nutrition & health indicators in the country; and (3) Mission Vatsalya, for protection and welfare of children in difficult circumstances.(1) Mission Shakti: The ‘Mission Shakti’ aims at strengthening interventions for women’s safety, security and empowerment. It seeks to focus on proposing strategies for improving convergence across Ministries/ Departments and at different levels of governance. Mission Shakti comprises of two sub-schemes ‘Sambal’ and ‘Samarthya’ for safety and security of women and empowerment of women respectively. The “Sambal” sub-scheme is for safety and security of women. It has the components of One Stop Centres (OSCs), Women Helpline (WHL), Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) and Nari Adalat. • One Stop Centres (OSCs)- One Stop Centre (OSC) provides integrated and immediate support and assistance under one roof to women affected by violence and those in distress, both in private and public spaces all across the country. It provides services like medical aid, legal aid and advice, temporary shelter, police assistance and psycho-social counselling to needy women. As on 20.03.2026, 926 OSCs are operational in the country which have assisted over 13.37 lakh women in the country. Further, 36 OSCs are operational in Assam including one OSC in Dhubri district and over 33 thousand women have been assisted through these OSCs in the State of Assam as on date. • Women Helpline (WHL)- Women Helpline (WHL-181) provides 24-hour toll-free telecommunication services to support women in both emergency and non-emergency situations. It offers assistance to women affected by violence and provides information about government schemes and services. Women Helpline is operational in 35 States/ Union Territories and also integrated with Emergency Response Support System ERSS- 112. Till 28th February, 2026, WHLs have assisted over 99.09 lakh women in the country. • Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme was launched on 22nd January 2015 to help address Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and related issues of empowerment of girls and women over a life cycle continuum. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme has transformed from policy initiative into national movement by mobilizing various stakeholders, including government agencies, media civil society and general public. The scheme is implemented in all the districts of the country. • Nari Adalat- Nari Adalat scheme provides a platform for alternative grievance redressal for women at the gram panchayat level. The Adalats are mandated to help women in distress at the panchayat level in resolving smaller issues relating to domestic violence, and other gender-based violence by negotiation, mediation, and reconciliation with mutual consent for accessible justice. Presently, Nari Adalat is being run on pilot basis in 50 Gram Panchayats in the State of Assam and UT of Jammu & Kashmir and 10 Gram Panchayats in the State of Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh and Mizoram. The “Samarthya” sub scheme is for empowerment of women. It has the components of Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), Shakti Sadan, Sakhi Niwas, Palna and SANKALP: Hub for Empowerment of Women (HEW). • Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)- The PMMVY is a Centrally Sponsored Maternity Benefit Scheme under which cash incentives of ₹5,000/- is provided directly to the Bank/Post Office account of the beneficiary in Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode for first child. The eligible beneficiaries receive the remaining cash incentive, as per approved norms towards maternity benefit under Janani Suraksha Yojana afterinstitutional delivery, so that on an average a woman gets ₹6,000/-. Cash incentive of ₹6,000/- is also provided under PMMVY to eligible beneficiaries for second child subject to the second child being a girl. Benefits amounting to Rs. 20,144 crores have been extended to approximately 4.28 crore women across the country through this scheme since inception of the scheme (01.01.2017) till 23.03.2026. The details of beneficiaries paid under the scheme in the Dhubri district of Assam during the last five financial years and current financial year are as under: Year Beneficiaries Paid 2020-21 4,558 2021-22 17,282 2022-23 19,490 Dhubri 2023-24 6,367 2024-25 9,902 2025-26* (as on 9,382 23.03.2026) In order to promote awareness and outreach of the PMMVY, the Ministry runs special campaign for registration of eligible beneficiaries in all the States and UTs under PMMVY on a periodic basis. At field functionary level, various Information, Education and Communication (IEC) and Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) activities such as Prabhat Pheri, Nukkad Natak, Newspaper Advertisements, Airing Radio Jingles, Selfie Campaign, Door to Door Campaign, Community Programmes are conducted. • Shakti Sadan- Under the overarching ‘Mission Shakti’, erstwhile schemes of ‘Swadhar Greh’ for women in difficult circumstances and ‘Ujjawala Home’ for Prevention of Trafficking, have been merged w.e.f. 01.04.2022 and known as ‘Shakti Sadan Scheme’, which is an Integrated Relief and Rehabilitation Home-for women in distressful situations including trafficked women. It aims at creating a safe and enabling environment for the women in such difficult situations, to enable them to overcome the adverse circumstances. Presently, 419 Shakti Sadans are functional across the country and 26 Shakti Sadans are functional in the State of Assam including in the district of Dhubri. 7. Sakhi Niwas- Sakhi Niwas Scheme (Working Women Hostel) under the overarching Mission Shakti, is a demand driven Centrally Sponsored Scheme. The scheme aims to promote availability of safe and conveniently located accommodation for working women in urban, semi-urban and also in rural areas where employment opportunity for women exists. Presently, 560 Sakhi Niwas are functional across the country and 10 Sakhi Niwas are functional in the State of Assam. • Palna- Palna Scheme is implemented with the aim of expanding the outreach of crèches to ensure that women everywhere have the opportunity to work and do not drop out from workforce because of care responsibilities. Palna aims to provide day-care crèche facilities to the children (06 months – 06 years). As on 23.03.2026, 50 AWCCs are operational in the State of Assam.• SANKALP: Hub for Empowerment of Women (HEW)- The SANKALP: HEW (Hub for Empowerment of Women) which functions as a Project Monitoring Unit (PMU) for all components of Mission Shakti. It serves as a single window system to bridge the information and knowledge gap regarding schemes and facilities available for women as well as guide them to avail the benefits and entitlements. The SANKALP centres engage in widespread outreach and awareness, through organising awareness activities, camps and campaigns, in convergence with Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP). This approach improves awareness generation and access to government schemes by ensuring the dissemination of targeted IEC materials, organizing local awareness campaigns, and conducting gender sensitization programs across schools, colleges, and public forums. The SANKALP centres have also been provided with facility of vehicle as well as additional financial allocation for conducting awareness campaigns on women- centric issues to ensure wider outreach of women-centric activities. SANKALP: HEW is being implemented in all States/UTs except the State of West Bengal. As on date, total 35 State SANKALP: HEWs and 742 District SANKALP: HEWs are functional including in the district of Dhubri. The number of beneficiaries in Assam under Mission Shakti during the last five years is 11,46,393. (2) Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0 (Mission Poshan 2.0): Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 is a Centrally Sponsored scheme. Central Government is responsible for the overall planning and policy under the scheme whereas its day to day implementation falls under the ambit of State Government and UT administration. Under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, a package of six services are provided to the eligible beneficiaries i.e. Supplementary Nutrition, Pre-school Non-formal Education, Nutrition & Health Education, Immunization, Health Check-up, and Referral Services. Three of the six services, viz., Immunization, Health Check-up and Referral Services are related to health and are provided through National Health Mission (NHM) & Public Health Infrastructure. The State/UT and district wise data on beneficiaries under Mission Poshan 2.0 is available on Poshan Tracker at the link: https://www.poshantracker.in/statistics. (3) Mission Vatsalya: Mission Vatsalya (erstwhile Child Protection Services Scheme (ICPS)) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) which is implemented through States/Union Territories (UTs) to deliver services for better outreach and protection for Children in Need of Care and Protection (CNCP) and Children in Conflict with Law (CCL) which include Institutional Care and Non-Institutional Care in a mission mode with the objective to: (i) Support and sustain Children in difficult circumstances (ii) Develop context-based solutions for holistic development of children from varied backgrounds (iii) Provide scope for green field projects for encouraging innovative solutions (iv) Cement convergent action by gap funding, if required. The Ministry of Rural Development is implementing the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana- Gramin (PMAY-G) w.e.f. 1st April 2016 to provide assistance to eligible rural households for theconstruction of Pucca houses with basic amenities to achieve the objective of "Housing For All" in rural areas. Under the PMAY-G, the initial target was to provide assistance for the construction of 2.95 crore houses during FY 2016-17 to 2023-24. The Government of India approved the implementation of the scheme during FY 2024-25 to 2028-29 to provide assistance for the construction of 2 crore additional houses. Under the PMAY-G, the targets are allocated by the Ministry to the States/UTs by considering them as a unit and further distribution of targets to the Districts/ Blocks/ GPs is done by the State Government/ UT Administration themselves. The Ministry has allocated cumulative target of 29.88 lakh houses to Assam against which the State has given sanctions to 29.09 lakh houses and 21.47 lakh houses are already completed, as of 23.03.2026. Further, the State Government has fixed target of 1.63 lakh houses in Dhubri district against which houses have been sanctioned to 1.61 lakh beneficiaries, 1st instalment of assistance released for 1.55 lakh beneficiaries, 2nd instalment to 1.35 lakh beneficiaries and 1.14 lakh houses are already completed, as of 23.03.2026. The PMAY-G guidelines provide that allotment of the house shall be made in the name of a woman or jointly in the name of the husband and wife, except in the case of a widower/unmarried/separated person/transgender. Further, in order to ensure empowerment of women, an advisory has been issued stating that all the houses under PMAY-G should include names of women members of the household in sanction details/ownership details (either solely or in joint ownership) and that the female member (s) may be added as secondary owner in the sanction letters where the initial sanction has already been given in the name of the male member. Under the PMAY-G, the Awaas SAKHI (Support Application for Knowledge, Help and Innovation) is an innovative mobile application developed to enhance access to PMAY-G by bringing essential information and resources in one place. Through the application, beneficiaries can gain awareness about the scheme, obtain answers to their queries and determine their eligibility for the scheme, equipping them with knowledge to make informed decisions. Further, Awaas Sakhi paves the way towards active involvement of beneficiaries and their community in the house construction process by making available house design typologies, locally available BIS certified materials and trained rural masons. Awaas Sakhi, in the essence of its name, aims to provide Help, enable access to Knowledge and promote Innovation in PMAY-G. The application makes essential information and tools available at the fingertips of the beneficiaries enabling them to take full advantage of the scheme and achieve their dream of owning a secure and resilient house. Under the PMAY-G, community-based participatory monitoring system is also in place utilizing the services of the Self-Help Group (SHG) network under National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). The services of NGOs and Civil Society Organizations are also utilized for creating awareness about the programme and to monitor the progress and quality of the construction of the house. The Ministry of Rural Development is also implementing the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), which is a social security programme for the most vulnerable sections of our society, covering both rural and urban areas. It includes all categories of beneficiaries who live below the poverty line (BPL). Under the programme, financial assistance in the form of a pension ranging from Rs. 200 to Rs. 500 per month is provided to the elderly, widows, and persons withdisabilities who live below the poverty line (BPL) and meet the eligibility criteria prescribed in the NSAP guidelines. Although all sub-schemes under NSAP cover women beneficiaries, Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) is 100% women-oriented scheme under which the eligible age is 40 years and the pension amount is Rs. 300/- per month. After attaining the age of 80 years, the beneficiary will get Rs. 500/- per month. The States/UTs are encouraged to provide top-up amount of at least an equivalent amount to the assistance provided by the Central Government so that the beneficiaries could get a decent level of assistance. At present, the States/UTs are adding top-up amount ranging from ₹200/- to ₹ 3700/- per month per beneficiary under widow pension scheme. Funds under NSAP schemes are disbursed to the States/UTs based on the number of digitized beneficiaries or their fixed State/UT cap, whichever is lower. As per NSAP guidelines, States/UTs are responsible for further disbursal of benefits to beneficiaries at Village/Block/Ward/District level. The number of beneficiaries under IGNWPS during the last five years in Assam is as under: 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 1,37,463 1,21,181 1,19,955 1,19,955 1,19,955 NSAP guidelines stipulates to ensure wide and continuous publicity about the entitlements under different schemes of NSAP and the procedure for claiming them through posters, brochures, media and other means. Further 1% of the administrative expenses may be earmarked for Information, Education & Communication (IEC)- awareness generation activities. Further, Rural Skills Division of the Ministry of Rural Development is also implementing the following two welfare schemes in the field of skill development for rural poor youth for their gainful employment with a view to eradicate poverty in the country under the umbrella scheme of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). A brief on the Schemes is as under: (1) Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY): DDU-GKY is a placement-linked skill development program for rural poor youth in the age group of 15-35 years. It empowers the rural poor youth with employable skills and facilitates their participation in regular labour markets, thus providing them with jobs having regular monthly wages at or above the minimum wages. DDU-GKY guideline provides social inclusion of SC/ST (50%), Women (33%), and PwDs (5%). The number of beneficiaries from Dhubri District who have availed the benefits of DDU-GKY scheme in the last 5 years is provided below - Women FY Trained Placed Women Placed Trained 2021-22 120 54 39 15 2022-23 419 185 117 61 2023-24 196 195 123 92 2024-25 277 44 271 412025-26 (upto 28.02.2026) 88 191 88 191 Further, under DDU-GKY, the following initiatives have been taken to promote awareness and outreach activities: • Community-based mobilisation: Awareness drives are conducted through Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under ASRLM, involving village-level meetings, counselling sessions, and mobilisation camps to sensitise women about DDU-GKY opportunities. • IEC and outreach activities: Use of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials such as pamphlets, posters, and local campaigns in vernacular languages to improve programme visibility in remote areas. • Involvement of local institutions: Collaboration with Gram Panchayats, community resource persons, and block-level mission units to reach out to eligible women beneficiaries. • Special mobilisation drives for women: Focused efforts to encourage participation of women, particularly from vulnerable and marginalised groups, ensuring their inclusion in training programmes. • Counselling and handholding support: Pre-enrolment counselling, career guidance, and post-placement support are provided to address socio-cultural barriers and improve retention. • Engagement of PIAs: Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) are mandated to undertake targeted mobilisation and awareness campaigns, especially in underserved and remote areas. These measures collectively aim to improve participation of women in DDU-GKY and ensure equitable access to skill training and sustainable livelihoods in Dhubri district. (2) Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs): • Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETI) is a poverty alleviation programme under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) that promotes sustainable livelihoods through skill development with a mandate of minimum 70% settlement. Functioning as a strategic arm of the Skill India Mission and adhering to common norms of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). • RSETIs operates through a three-way partnership among the Ministry of Rural Development, State/UT Governments, and Sponsor Banks. Banks establish at least one RSETI in each lead district to provide fully funded by MoRD, largely residential, short- term National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) aligned training to rural youth (18– 50 years) with a focus on self-employment and micro-enterprise development, along with credit linkage and two years of handholding support. • The Scheme ensures inclusive participation of women, SC/STs, minorities, PwDs, SHG members and through convergence with various government schemes and departments,training programmes are extended to beneficiaries identified under NRLM, PMEGP, DAY-NULM, MUDRA, PMAY-G and MGNREGA and other livelihood and entrepreneurship promotion initiatives, thereby enhancing employability, reducing distress migration, and strengthening rural livelihoods. The number of beneficiaries from Dhubri District who have availed the benefits of RSETI scheme in the last 5 years is provided below - FY Total Women (Out of total) Trained Settled Trained Settled 2021-22 604 334 554 334 2022-23 711 582 666 537 2023-24 939 690 885 642 2024-25 1304 928 1200 827 2025-26 (up to 869 725 841 725 28.02.2026) Under RSETI, Dhubri RSETI conducts regular awareness and mobilisation activities in coordination with banks, State Rural Livelihood Missions and local administration to identify and motivate rural women for skill development and self-employment programmes. In this regard, the Director and Faculty of RSETI conduct five Entrepreneurship Awareness Programmes (EAPs) every month across the district. These activities include village-level awareness camps, counselling sessions, and interaction with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to enhance participation of women in training programmes. These programmes are aimed at mobilising rural unemployed women, creating awareness about RSETI training programmes, self-employment opportunities, and facilitating access to various government welfare schemes and credit linkages. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) is also implementing the following schemes for the socio-economic empowerment, skill development and livelihood support of women: (1) Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): 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 including Dhubri District with aim to enhance the employability of the youth to access employment opportunities by equipping them with industry relevant skills Under PMKVY, a total of 26468 candidates have been trained/ oriented in Dhubri District till 31.12.2025 out of which 16736 are females. Gender-wise, FY-wise details of candidates trained/ oriented under PMKVY in Dhubri District till 31.12.2025 is at Annexure. (2) Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS): Directorate General of Training (DGT), under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), implements the Craftsmen TrainingScheme (CTS) through a network of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) for skilling the youth of the country including women. In ITIs, craftsmen training is provided in 169 NSQF aligned trades. Each trade has a dedicated course curriculum. The duration of training: six months, one and two years. The training courses under CTS are designed to impart basic skills and knowledge in the respective trades so as to prepare trainees for wage employment and self-employment At present, there are 14,688 ITIs established in the country, out of which, 3,345 are Government and 11,343 are Private ITIs. In Dhubri district of Assam only 1 ITIs is functioning. A total number of 67,07,804 trainees have been trained in ITIs under CTS from session 2021-22 to 2025-26. In Dubri District of Assam there are 34 trainees have been trained in ITIs under CTS from session 2021-22 to 2025-26. Directorate General of Training under Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship is imparting vocational training in 169 NSQF compliant courses for both women & men through a network of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) under Craftsmen Training Scheme across the country. Out of the 169 trades, following 07 trades are women-centric. S.No. Name of Trade Entry Qualification NSQF Duration Level 1. Dress Making Passed 08th class examination Level – 2.5 One year 2. Sewing Technology Passed 8th class examination Level – 2.5 One year 3. Surface Ornamentation Techniques Passed 8th class examination Level – 2.5 One year (Embroidary) 4. Computer Aided Embroidery & Passed 10th class examination or Level – 3.5 One year Designing its equivalent 5. Fashion Design and Technology Passed 10th class examination or Level – 3.5 One year its equivalent 6. Cosmetology Passed 10th class examination or Level – 3.5 One year its equivalent 7. Spa Therapy Passed 10th class examination or Level – 3.5 One year its equivalent To increase employability of youths including Women, Directorate General of Training (DGT) under Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has revised the syllabus of subject 'Employability Skills' in Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) courses. The areas covered for development of soft skills and entrepreneurial skills such as Entrepreneurship, Basic English Skills, Communication Skills, Essential Digital Skills, and Financial & Legal Literacy.(3) Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) Scheme: The Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) Scheme under the Skill India Programme aims to provide skill training in a non-formal mode at the doorsteps of the beneficiary with 100% grant from the Government of India. The objective of the scheme is to increase the household income by promoting self/wage employment through skill development training. The target beneficiaries of the scheme are non-literates, persons having rudimentary level of education and school dropouts up to class 12th in the age group of 15-45 years. The priority groups are women (83%), SCs, STs, OBCs and minorities in the rural areas and urban low-income areas. Presently, there is only one JSS active in Dhubri District. Total number of beneficiaries trained in JSS Dhubri under JSS scheme from FY 2021-22 till 31st December 2025 is 4,680. The JSS scheme adopts a community-based mobilisation approach to reach women from rural and remote areas. Mobilisation of beneficiaries is undertaken at the grassroots level through door-to- door surveys, village meetings, community awareness programmes and interaction with Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Joint Liability Groups (JLGs), Panchayati Raj Institutions and local community organisations. These outreach activities enable identification and mobilisation of women from SC, ST, minority, economically weaker sections and other vulnerable groups, particularly in rural and underserved areas. The effectiveness of this approach is reflected in the participation pattern under the scheme, wherein women constitute more than 80–83% of total beneficiaries trained under JSS, indicating strong outreach among women from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The scheme’s doorstep training model, flexible training hours and locally relevant trades further facilitate participation of women, including those from rural areas. (4) National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS): The Government of India launched ‘National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme’ (NAPS) in August, 2016 with the objective to promote apprenticeship training and to increase the engagement of apprentices. Since 2022-23, the scheme continues as NAPS-2 and implemented throughout the country, including women. NAPS- 2 aims to promote apprenticeship training in the country, by providing partial stipend support to the apprentices engaged under the Apprentice Act, 1961, undertaking capacity building of the apprenticeship ecosystem, and providing advocacy assistance to the stakeholders. Accordingly, the scheme facilitates a partial stipend support limited to 25% of stipend paid, up to a maximum of Rs.1,500 per month, per apprentice during the training period. The stipend support by GoI is being paid through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the bank account of apprentice. Under apprenticeship training, as per the provision of the Apprentices Act, 1961, it is not obligatory on the part of the employer to hire apprentices on completion of the training. While women-centric trades are actively promoted, establishments are encouraged to create inclusive and safe training environments as mandated under the Apprentices Act, 1961. Section 14 of the Apprentices Act explicitly applies critical safety and welfare provisions to apprentices during training. If the apprentice is in a factory, the relevant chapters (III, IV & V) of the Factories Act, 1948 apply to them as if they were workers. If the apprentice is in a mine, the relevant provisions of the Mines Act, 1952 apply, again treating them as if they were regular employees. This means that safety measures, fitness for work, welfare facilities, and other protective norms apply to apprentices identically to formal workers. While the Apprentices Act does not separately address gender or sexual harassment, apprentices—regardless of gender—are covered under the broader Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act,2013 (POSH Act). Section 15 of the Act governs working hours, prohibits unauthorized overtime, and mandates leave/holiday entitlements similar to employees. For apprentices of age eighteen and above, training will be during normal working hours of the establishment. For those apprentices under the age of 18, working hours will be between 8.00 AM and 6.00 PM. However, concerned apprenticeship adviser may permit exceptions. In apprenticeship stakeholder engagements, engaging female apprentices is being emphasised. Further, since June 2022, Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Mela (PMNAM) facilitates candidates to avail opportunities in Apprenticeship training and facilitates establishment to identify potential candidates and in selection of Apprentices. The event is conducted every month on the 2nd Monday, in at least 1/3rd of the districts of each State, including Assam. The details of apprentices engaged nationwide, within the state of Assam, and specifically in the Dhubri district under NAPS-2 during last five financial years are as follows: Total Apprentices engaged under Women Apprentices engaged under S. Heads NAPS-2during last five financial NAPS-2 during last five financial No. years years 1 PAN India 35,53,948 7,50,229 2 Assam (All 40,095 16,806 districts) 3 Dhubri 1,404 710 district, Assam *****Annexure ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN THE REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (E) OF THE LOK SABHA UN-STARRED QUESTION NO. 5552 FOR ANSWER ON 27.03.2026 REGARDING "SOCIO-ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN" Gender-wise, FY-wise details of candidates trained/oriented under PMKVY in Dhubri District till 31.12.2025. FY Female Male Transgender Total Trained / Oriented 2015-16 841 1,100 1,941 2016-17 0 76 76 2017-18 870 323 1,193 2018-19 689 450 1,139 2019-20 3,321 1,004 1 4,326 2020-21 5,236 4,817 4 10,057 2021-22 534 374 908 2022-23 200 178 378 2023-24 2,174 636 2,810 2024-25 2,728 672 3,400 2025-26 143 97 240 Total 16,736 9,727 5 26,468 *****