August 5, 2025

The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), introduced in 2015, aimed at upskilling millions of youth in India. However, troubling statistics reveal that only 24.3 lakh out of 1.6 crore trained candidates have found jobs, translating to a mere 15% placement rate. This is a significant concern against the backdrop of rising youth unemployment. A report by The Times of India highlighted these findings, with Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Jayant Chaudhary addressing the Lok Sabha on the issue. The early phases of PMKVY, covering 2015 to 2022, featured placement tracking but revealed a stark reality: only 43% of candidates completing the Short-Term Training (STT) component were employed post-training. PMKVY 4.0, the latest rendition of the program, seeks to tackle these shortfalls by reorienting its objectives. According to Chaudhary, this phase not only supports direct job placements but also encourages self-employment and entrepreneurship, fostering diverse career prospects. The government has instituted digital platforms like the Skill India Digital Hub to bridge the gap between trained individuals and potential employers. This initiative is intended to facilitate easier access to learning and apprenticeship opportunities. To further stimulate the job market, the government has organized Rozgar Melas and National Apprenticeship Melas consistently, aiming to enhance hiring rates. Nevertheless, the troubling placement figures imply that challenges persist. Experts suggest a significant gap between the skills imparted through PMKVY and the demand from employers. In response, the government is conducting district-level skill gap studies to tailor training programs to market needs. Additionally, PMKVY is now interconnected with various financial assistance schemes such as PM Mudra Yojana, which has sanctioned a substantial amount to assist small businesses, and PM Vishwakarma, dedicated to funding vocational training initiatives. These efforts aim to proffer opportunities to populations that have faced barriers to employment. Notably, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh have emerged as frontrunners in training enrolment and loan distribution under these schemes. Minister Chaudhary elaborated on the infrastructure supporting PMKVY, mentioning the use of accredited Training Centers that facilitate on-the-job training and incorporate the National Credit Framework, which allows for the crediting of learned skills. The program maintains a commitment to quality through regular monitoring and evaluations conducted by third-party entities. As a part of the new phase, a third-party assessment of PMKVY 4.0 is underway, with insights expected to shape future policies and trainings. The objective remains to equip the youth with the skills they require while improving the connection between education and employment, ultimately addressing the pressing issue of youth unemployment in India.

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Tags: Pmkvy, Employment, Youth unemployment, India, Skill development,