**Executive Summary**
This document presents the Government of India's response to Unstarred Question No. 1471 in the Lok Sabha, regarding the employment status of skilled workers. It outlines the data collection methods used to assess employment and unemployment trends, and reports a decrease in the Unemployment Rate (UR) and an increase in the Worker Population Ratio (WPR) between 2017-18 and 2023-24. Additionally, the response details various initiatives under the Skill India Mission aimed at enhancing skill development and employability. The question was to be answered on 09th February, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Data Collection:**
* The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) collects Employment and Unemployment data through the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) since 2017-18, with a survey period from July to June annually.
* **Employment Statistics:**
* The estimated Unemployment Rate (UR) for individuals aged 15 years and above decreased from 6.0% in 2017-18 to 3.2% in 2023-24.
* The estimated Worker Population Ratio (WPR) for individuals aged 15 years and above increased from 46.8% in 2017-18 to 58.2% in 2023-24.
* **Skill India Mission (SIM) Initiatives:**
* The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) delivers skill, re-skill and up-skill training through a network of skill development centers under various schemes (Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and Craftsman Training Scheme (CTS) through Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs)).
* The Directorate General of Training (DGT) has developed 169 NSQF-compliant courses, including 31 new-age/Future Skills courses.
* DGT implements the Flexi MoU Scheme and the Dual System of Training (DST) to provide industrial training.
* MSDE has launched the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) to integrate skilling, education, employment, and entrepreneurship.
* Rozgar Melas and Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Melas (PMNAMs) facilitate placements and apprenticeship opportunities.
**Impact Analysis**
**Impact on Skilled Workers**
* **Impact:** Skilled workers are directly impacted by the Government's assessment and efforts to improve their employment prospects. Initiatives aim to align skills with industry needs, increase job opportunities, and provide platforms for connecting with potential employers.
* **Action Required:** Skilled workers should utilize the resources provided by the Skill India Mission, including SIDH, Rozgar Melas, and other schemes, to enhance their skills and connect with potential employers.
**Impact on Employers**
* **Impact:** Employers benefit from a skilled workforce that is equipped with industry-relevant skills through various training programs. SIDH enables access to a pool of trained candidates, streamlining the recruitment process.
* **Action Required:** Employers are encouraged to engage with the SIDH platform to identify and recruit skilled candidates for jobs and apprenticeship opportunities.
**Impact on Training Institutes (ITIs, NSTIs)**
* **Impact:** Training Institutes are responsible for delivering skill development courses aligned with industry demands. Government initiatives strengthen industry linkages and provide resources for training.
* **Action Required:** Training Institutes should implement the NSQF-compliant courses, Flexi MoU Scheme, and Dual System of Training, while actively engaging with industries to ensure relevant skill training.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Labour and Employment: Central ministry responsible for addressing employment-related questions and implementing relevant schemes.
Skill India Mission (SIM): An initiative to provide skill development and training.
Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS): A survey conducted by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) to collect data on employment and unemployment.
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): A skill development scheme.
Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS): A scheme aimed at skilling youth across the country.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1471
TO BE ANSWERED ON 09TH FEBRUARY, 2026
STATUS OF EMPLOYMENT OF SKILLED WORKERS
1471. SHRI MANI A :
Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that a significant number of
skilled workers despite possessing talent and formal training
remain unemployed or underemployed and are compelled to
migrate to other States or overseas in search of work and if so,
the reasons therefor;
(b) whether districts with high out-migration such as Dharmapuri have
disproportionately high rates of skilled labour joblessness and if
so, the reasons therefor;
(c) the reasons identified by the Government for such persistent
unemployment among trained workers including gaps between
skill training and industry demand, lack of local employment
opportunities and weak placement linkages; and
(d) the corrective steps taken/being taken by the Government to align
the skill programmes with local industry needs, incentivising job
creation in backward regions, strengthening apprenticeships and
placement support and monitoring outcomes to reduce forced
migration of skilled youth?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)
(a) to (d): The data on Employment and Unemployment is collected
through Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) which is conducted by the
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) since
2017-18. The survey period is July to June every year.
As per the latest available Annual PLFS Reports, the estimated
Unemployment Rate (UR) on usual status for age 15 years and above has
decreased from 6.0% in 2017-18 to 3.2% in 2023-24. Further, the
estimated Worker Population Ratio (WPR), indicating employment, on
usual status for age 15 years and above has increased from 46.8% in
2017-18 to 58.2% in 2023-24.Under the Government of India’s Skill India Mission (SIM), the
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) delivers skill,
re- skill and up-skill training through an extensive network of skill
development centres under various schemes, viz. Pradhan Mantri
Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), National
Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and Craftsman Training
Scheme (CTS) through Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), to all the
sections of the society across the country. The SIM aims at enabling
youth of India to get future ready and equipped with industry relevant
skills.
Directorate General of Training (DGT), under the Ministry of Skill
Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), has developed 169 NSQF-
compliant courses, including 31 new-age/Future Skills courses under the
Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS), to skill the youth across the country
and to meet the industry’s demand for skilled manpower. These courses
are delivered through a nationwide network of Industrial Training
Institutes (ITIs) and National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs).
In addition, DGT is implementing the Flexi MoU Scheme and the
Dual System of Training (DST) to provide trainees with an industrial
training environment, strengthen industry linkages, and familiarize them
with the latest technologies and industry practices.
MSDE has launched Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) a unified platform
that integrates skilling, education, employment, and entrepreneurship
ecosystems to provide a life-long array of services. The details of the
trained candidates are available on SIDH portal for connecting with
potential employers. Through SIDH, candidates can have access to jobs
and apprenticeship opportunities. Further, Rozgar Melas and Pradhan
Mantri National Apprenticeship Melas (PMNAMs) have been organized to
facilitate the placements and apprenticeship opportunities to the
certified candidates across the country.
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