Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) is actively enhancing women's employability nationwide through skill development initiatives under the Skill India Mission (SIM). These initiatives include the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Jan Sikhshan Sansthan (JSS), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), and Craftsman Training Scheme (CTS). The goal is to equip women with industry-relevant skills, including digital skills and artificial intelligence (AI), with a focus on rural and underserved areas.
Key Points / Main Content:
Skill Development Programs:
* The Skill India Mission (SIM) delivers skill, reskill, and upskill training through various schemes like PMKVY, JSS, NAPS, and CTS, targeting women across the country.
* PMKVY 4.0 prioritizes projects with women as primary beneficiaries, focusing on sectors like Electronics, Retail, Healthcare, and Apparel.
* Skill Hubs and Special Projects actively encourage women's enrolment, aligning training with local skill demands.
Incentives and Support:
* Special provisions are in place to cover conveyance, boarding, and lodging expenses for women in skill development programs.
* Enhanced post-placement support is provided to women.
Apprenticeship and Training:
* The NAPS scheme has seen an increase in women's participation, with trades in the services sector (Optional Trade) contributing to this growth.
* Women apprentices increased from 22.79% in 2024-25 to 25.80% in 2025-26.
* JSS Scheme focuses on women, who constitute over 80% of beneficiaries.
* There are 19 National Skill Training Institutes (NSTI) and over 300 ITIs exclusively for women.
* 30% reservation of seats for women candidates in all ITIs (Govt./Private) in all courses.
Collaborative Initiatives:
* NAVYA (Nurturing Aspirations through Vocational Training for Young Adolescent Girls) is a joint initiative by MSDE and MoWCD, targeting girls aged 16-18 with vocational training in non-traditional job roles.
* Swavalambini, a Women Entrepreneurship Programme, was launched in February 2025 in select North Eastern States, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana, in collaboration with the Women Entrepreneurship Platform of NITI Aayog.
* National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), Noida and Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), Guwahati are the implementing agencies for Swavalambini.
Digital Skills and AI Training:
* PMKVY 4.0 introduces "Future Skills" job roles to prepare youth for emerging technologies like AI, Machine Learning, and Digital Marketing.
* From FY 2022-23 to FY 2025-26 (as of June 30, 2025), 19,398 women have been trained in AI-related job roles under PMKVY 4.0.
* Apprenticeship training includes AI and Robotics, with 670 women apprentices engaged from FY 2022-23 to FY 2025-26 (as of June 30, 2025).
* Directorate General of Training (DGT) has introduced 31 new-age/future skills courses under CTS in ITIs and NSTIs.
* From academic sessions 2019-20 to 2024-25, the total women enrolment in new age courses in ITIs under CTS is 8,463.
* DGT has signed MoUs with IT companies like IBM, CISCO, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Microsoft for technical skills training in AI, Big Data Analytics (BDA), Blockchain, and Cloud Computing.
* DGT has introduced an Artificial Intelligence Programming Assistant (AIPA) course and a micro-credential course ("Introduction to Artificial Intelligence") for all CTS trainees.
* The Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) offers AI and Machine Learning courses for various proficiency levels.
* MSDE has collaborated with Microsoft, HCL Tech, and Nasccom with SkillUp, in implementation of a programme on Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR).
Impact Analysis:
Women:
* Impact: Enhanced access to skill development and entrepreneurship opportunities, particularly in digital skills and AI, leading to improved employability and economic independence.
* Action Required: Actively participate in available skill development programs, leverage provided resources, and explore entrepreneurial opportunities.
Training Institutes (ITIs, NSTIs, JSS):
* Impact: Increased focus on providing training in new-age skills, particularly in AI and digital technologies, with specific targets for women's participation.
* Action Required: Implement new courses and training modules, ensure the reservation of seats for women, and actively promote enrolment among women.
MSDE and Partner Organizations (MoWCD, NITI Aayog, IBM, CISCO, AWS, Microsoft, HCL Tech, Nasccom):
* Impact: Responsibility for implementing and monitoring skill development programs, ensuring effective collaboration, and achieving set targets for women's empowerment.
* Action Required: Collaborate effectively, monitor program implementation, and ensure resources are allocated efficiently to achieve the objectives.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship: The Indian government ministry responsible for skill development and entrepreneurship.
Skill India Mission SIM: A government initiative aimed at improving the employability of youth through skill development programs.
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana PMKVY: A flagship skill development scheme under the Skill India Mission, providing skill, reskill, and upskill training.
Jammu and Kashmir: A union territory in India, specifically mentioned as a region for focused implementation of skill development programs.
Jharkhand: A state in India, specifically mentioned as a region for focused implementation of skill development programs.
National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme NAPS: A scheme to promote apprenticeship training in various trades, including services sector, leading to increased women participation.
NAVYA Nurturing Aspirations through Vocational Training for Young Adolescent Girls: A joint initiative by MSDE and MoWCD aimed at providing vocational training to adolescent girls aged 16-18.
Skill India Digital Hub SIDH: A unified digital platform launched by MSDE to enhance skill development by providing access to courses, job opportunities, and entrepreneurship support.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3916
ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025
WOMEN EMPOWERMENT VIA DIGITAL SKILLS
3916. SHRI ANOOPPRADHAN VALMIKI: SHRI DULU MAHATO:
SMT. KAMALJEET SEHRAWAT: SHRI MUKESH RAJPUT:
SMT. MALA RAJYA LAXMI SHAH: SHRI MANOJ TIWARI:
SHRI BHOJRAJ NAG: SHRI BIBHU PRASAD TARAI:
SHRI ALOK SHARMA: SMT. SHOBHANABEN MAHENDRASINH BARAIYA:
SMT. HIMADRI SINGH: SHRI JUGAL KISHORE:
SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL: SHRI NALIN SOREN:
Will the Minister of SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government proposes to expand existing programmes or launch new
initiatives to ensure wider participation and digital empowerment of women across all regions
of the country, particularly in rural and deprived areas, State/UT-wise including Jammu and
Kashmir and Jharkhand, particularly Dumka;
(b) the manner in which the said initiatives are likely to enable women to pursue careers in
artificial intelligence sector and their potential contribution to digital inclusivity;
(c) whether the Government has identified any specific States or areas for focused
implementation in this regard; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL
DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
(SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)
(a) to (d): The Government of India is taking proactive steps to improve employability of the
youth of the nation, including women across all regions of the country including Jammu and
Kashmir and Jharkhand, through skill development. Under the 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 Sikhshan Sansthan (JSS), National
Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and Craftsman Training Scheme (CTS) through
Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), to all the sections of the society including women, across the
country. The SIM aims at enabling youth of India to get future ready and equipped with industry
relevant skills.
To encourage participation of women in skill development programs, special provisions have been
made for meeting expenditure on conveyance and boarding & lodging as well as enhanced post
placement support. Further, PMKVY 4.0 prioritizes and provides special focus to projects that
emphasize women as primary beneficiaries. Training programs in sectors like Electronics, Retail,
Healthcare, Beauty & Wellness, Handicrafts and Apparel are structured to attract higher
participation from women. Skill Hubs and Special Projects actively encourage women's
enrolment. Projects are designed to align with local skill demands, creating opportunities for rural
women to participate and benefit from skill development schemes. This inclusive approach
ensures significant representation and benefit for women in skill training programs across the
country. Also, in NAPS Scheme, the introduction of trades in services sector (Optional Trade) has
led to the significant improvement in the women participation in apprenticeship. The percentage
of women apprentices has observed an increase from 22.79% in 2024-25 to 25.80% in 2025-26.Under JSS Scheme; the focus is being given to women and other vulnerable sections. Women
constitute more than 80% of beneficiaries under JSS. Also, there are 19 National Skill Training
Institutes (NSTI) and more than 300 ITIs exclusively for women. Government of India approved
30% reservation of seats for women candidates in all ITIs (Govt. & Private) in all courses and
these seats could be filled based on the general reservation policy of each respective State/UTs.
MSDE in collaboration with MoWCD has launched a joint initiative named NAVYA – Nurturing
Aspirations through Vocational Training for Young Adolescent Girls. NAVYA is a pilot initiative
aimed at equipping adolescent girls aged 16-18 years with a minimum qualification of class 10,
with vocational training mainly in non traditional job-roles. Further, MSDE in collaboration with the
Women Entrepreneurship Platform of NITI Aayog, launched the Swavalambini - a Women
Entrepreneurship Programme in February 2025 in the North Eastern States of Assam,
Meghalaya, Mizoram and also in Uttar Pradesh and Telangana. The programme aims to cultivate
an entrepreneurial mindset among female students through Entrepreneurship Awareness
Training (EAP) and Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP). National Institute for
Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), Noida and Indian Institute of
Entrepreneurship (IIE), Guwahati are the implementing agencies for the program.
To promote new age future skills including digital skills, artificial intelligence, MSDE has
undertaken the following initiatives:
(i) Under PMKVY 4.0, the dedicated job roles under "Future Skills" category has been
introduced with an aim of preparing youth for opportunities in new and emerging
technologies including Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Digital Marketing.
Under AI- related job roles, a total of 19,398 women have been trained from FY 2022-23
to FY 2025-26 (as on 30th June 2025).
(ii) Apprenticeship training is imparted under 266 designated trade and over 750 Optional
trades including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics. Under AI related trades, a total
of 670 women apprentices have been engaged under NAPS-2 from FY 2022-23 to FY
2025-26 (as on 30th June 2025).
(iii) Directorate General of Training (DGT) under the aegis of MSDE has introduced 31 new
age/future skills courses under CTS in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and National
Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) to provide digital training in emerging areas such as
Artificial Intelligence, Mechatronics, Internet of Things, Cybersecurity, Semiconductor,
etc. The total women enrolment in new age courses in ITIs under CTS from academic
sessions 2019-20 to 2024-25 is 8,463.
(iv) With a view to adopt the best practices in the digital skill training, DGT has signed
Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with leading IT tech companies like IBM, CISCO,
Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Microsoft. These partnerships facilitate the provision
of technical and professional skills training in modern technologies, including Artificial
Intelligence (AI), Big Data Analytics (BDA), Block chain, Cloud Computing, etc.
(v) Directorate General of Training (DGT) under MSDE has introduced one course ‘Artificial
Intelligence Programming Assistant (AIPA)’ to impart AI-based skill training through
Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs). Also, a
micro-credential course “Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI)” of 7.5-hour has been
developed for all CTS trainees in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), in collaboration with
industry and academic experts.
(vi) MSDE has launched the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), a unified digital platform aimed at
enhancing skill development in youths across the country by providing access to industry-
relevant courses, job opportunities, and entrepreneurship support. It offers a diverse
selection of AI and Machine Learning (ML) courses—ranging from introductory programs
like Fundamentals of Azure AI Speech and Machine Learning to advanced modules such
as Google Cloud Generative AI and AI Strategy to Create Business Value in Healthcare—
designed to support learners at all proficiency levels and prepare them to thrive in the
fast-changing technology landscape.
(vii) MDE has also collaborated with Microsoft, HCL Tech and Nasccom (with SkillUp), in
implementation of a programme on Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR).
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