Why In News?
The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE) highlighted that the PM-DAKSH Yojana trained 1,87,305 candidates and secured placement for 96,162 beneficiaries between 2020-21 and 2023-24.
What Is The PM-DAKSH Scheme?
The PM-DAKSH Scheme (Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi Yojana) is a Central Sector Scheme launched in 2020–21 by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to provide skill development training to socially and economically marginalised groups.
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Target Groups: Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), De-notified Tribes (DNTs), Safai Karamcharis (including waste pickers), and Transgenders.
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Age Limit: 18 to 45 years
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Income Criteria: No income limit for SCs, DNTs, and Safai Karamcharis/waste pickers; family income must be below ₹3 lakh per annum for OBCs and EWS.
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Merger: It has been merged with the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
The scheme has been implemented through three apex corporations under the ministry:
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National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC)
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National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC)
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National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC)
Types of Training Programs
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Up-skilling / Re-skilling: Short-term courses to enhance existing skills.
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Short Term Training Program: Focuses on wage-employment or self-employment.
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Long Term Training Program: In-depth vocational training.
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Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP): Training to help beneficiaries start and run their own businesses.
Financial Support & Features
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Free of Cost: Training is provided completely free of cost to the eligible candidates.
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Stipend & Wage Compensation: Provides a monthly stipend (₹1,000–₹1,500) during training and/or wage compensation (₹3,000) for specific training programs.
Performance: Against an allocated budget of ₹276.47 crore for 2020-21 to 2023-24, the actual expenditure incurred reached ₹309.5 crore. For 2024-25 and 2025-26, projected target enrolments stand at 56,450 candidates and 58,950 candidates respectively, with a multi-year outlay of ₹286.42 crore. (Source: PIB)
Accountability & Quality Assurance Clause: Training institutes receive cost reimbursements in tranches under Common Cost Norms (CCN). Institutes must ensure wage or self-employment for at least 70% of trained candidates; failing this, the final 3rd instalment (30% of total training cost) is strictly forfeited.
Digital Monitoring: Mandatory tracking via Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS) requiring > 70% biometric attendance for candidate assessment eligibility.
About Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)
It was launched in July 2015 under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and implemented through the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).
Key Objectives
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Industry-Relevant Skills: Provide free, structured skill training to unemployed youth and school/college dropouts to improve their employability and livelihood opportunities.
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Emerging Technologies: Offer training in traditional trades alongside modern sectors like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, Drones, and Data Analytics.
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Current Phase: The scheme has progressed to PMKVY 4.0, focusing heavily on digital integration, industry demand, and entrepreneurship.
Core Components
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Short-Term Training (STT): Industry-oriented training (typically 300 to 600 hours) aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF).
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Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): Assesses and certifies individuals who already possess practical skills or informal work experience.
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Special Projects: Tailored, project-based skilling initiatives designed for marginalized and vulnerable groups.
Key Benefits for Candidates
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Free Training & Certification: Entire training and assessment costs are covered by the government.
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Kits & Support: Candidates receive a free uniform, induction kit, and support facilities.
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Inclusivity & Assistance: Special residential facilities, transport support, and financial aid (such as extra support for Persons with Disabilities) are provided.
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Accident Insurance: Trainees are covered under a one-year accident insurance policy.
Source: DDINDIA
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) Yojana, consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above are correct? (A) 1 and 2 only (B) 2, 3, and 4 only (C) 1, 3, and 4 only (D) 1, 2, 3, and 4 Answer: (B) 2, 3, and 4 only Explanation: Statement 1 is INCORRECT: PM-DAKSH is a 100% Centrally Funded Central Sector Scheme implemented directly through three central corporations (NSFDC, NBCFDC, NSKFDC) under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Statement 2 is CORRECT: The scheme provides completely free training with stipends (₹1,000 to ₹1,500 per month for non-residential STT; ₹3,000 wage-loss compensation for up-skilling) across target groups. Statement 3 is CORRECT: Training institutes must achieve at least 70% placement in wage or self-employment, failing which the 3rd instalment (30% of training cost) is forfeited. Statement 4 is CORRECT: From 2024-25 onwards, PM-DAKSH was subsumed under PMKVY of MSDE using the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) portal. |
