• The Prime Minister of India launched the Scheme with the main motto of 'Let's make India the Skill Capital of the World'.


• Skill training is provided to the candidates based on the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) and the standards set by the industry.


• With the effect of this Scheme, the Government shall bear the Training and Assessment fee of all the candidates.


• Moreover, individuals who have a prior learning experience and skills are also assessed and certified under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

PMKVY is a skill certification scheme that aims to enable Indian youth to take up skill training that is industry relevant. This training shall help them secure a better livelihood.

The objective of the PMKVY claim that the Scheme applies to candidates with Indian nationality who may be:

• A college or a school drop out


• An unemployed youth.

A candidate is considered as an eligible beneficiary only if the candidate has verifiable proof of identity in the form of a valid Aadhaar card, or a Voter ID card, and a bank account.
Eligible beneficiaries can write for all the details to pmkvy@nsdcindia.org.

• MSDE has issued Guidelines for the successful implementation of PMKVY. These guidelines were formulated so that the participating agencies abide by them.


• The Guidelines have been approved by the PMKVY’s Steering Committee and came into effect since [latex]{15}^{th}[/latex]July 2016.

Given below are the six key components mentioned in the Guidelines.

1. Short Term Training: The PMKVY Training Centers (TCs) are expected to benefit the eligible beneficiaries by providing them with the training according to the NSQF level 5 and below.

• TCs shall impart training in the fields of Financial and Digital Literacy, Entrepreneurship, and Soft Skills.


• The duration of the training provided in the TCs ranges between 150 to 300 hours and shall vary as per the job role.


• Once the candidates have successfully completed the assessment, they shall be provided placement assistance by the Training Partners (TPs).

2. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): Under this component of the Scheme, individuals who possess prior learning experience or skills are assessed and certified.

• RPL aims to arrange the competencies of the unregulated workforce that exists in India to the NSOF.


• MSDE and NSDC have designated and incentivized Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) like Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) to implement RPL projects in any three project Types (i.e., RPL Camps, RPL centers, and RPL Employers Premises).


• Further, PIAs can offer Bridge courses to fill the knowledge gaps of RPL candidates.

3. Special Projects: This component envisages the creation of a platform to facilitate training in special areas.

• Specific areas can be premises of Government bodies, Corporates and Industry bodies, and training in Special jobs that are not defined by National Occupational Standards (NOS).


• Special projects are the ones that require some deviation from the terms and conditions defined for the Short Term Training for any stakeholder.

4. Kaushal and Rozgar Yojna: Since active participation is critical for the success of PMKVY, the social and community mobilization ensures leveraging the cumulative knowledge of the community.

• PMKVY assigns importance of the involvement of target beneficiaries through a defined mobilization process to ensure transparency and accountability.


• TPs can conduct Kaushal and Rozgar Mela once in every six months with media coverage.

5. Placement Guidelines: PMKVY envisages to establish the link between the aspiration, aptitude, and knowledge of the skilled workforce that it creates with employment opportunities and market demand.

• PMKVY TCs make every effort to provide placement opportunities to candidates who have been trained and certifies under this Scheme.


• TPs are also responsible for providing support for entrepreneurship development.

6. Monitoring Guidelines: It is essential to ensure that high-quality standards are maintained by the PMKVY TCs, Inspection Agencies, and NSDC.

• Methodologies like call validations, self-audit reporting, surprise visits are also followed.


• Monitoring through the Skills Development Management System (SDMS) enhances the engagement of the latest technologies.

• In addition to the NSDC, the PMKVY scheme uses the Central and State Government affiliated TPs to implement training.


• Before being eligible to participate in the Scheme, all TPs have to be registered on the SMART portal.


• Training generally includes personal grooming, soft skills, behavioral change for cleanliness, and good work ethics.


• SSCs and the State Governments are responsible for closely monitoring the skill training happening under the PMKVY.