Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing the Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi Yojana (PM-DAKSH) as a Central Sector Scheme to provide skill development training to Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, Economically Weaker Sections, De-notified Tribes and Safai Karamcharis, including waste pickers, with a focus on employability, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods.

Under the PM-DAKSH Scheme, skill development trainings are conducted in National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) compliant courses, based on proposals submitted by empanelled training institutes. The selection of training programmes takes into account market demand, viable batch size, geographical conditions and sector-specific skill requirements to ensure relevance and alignment with local labour market needs.

The Ministry has put in place mandatory employment-linked outcomes under PM-DAKSH. Training institutes are required to ensure wage employment and/or self-employment for at least 70 per cent of trained candidates after completion of Short Term Training Courses. In cases where this condition is not fulfilled, the release of the third instalment, amounting to 30 per cent of the training cost, is forfeited. Training institutes are also mandated to maintain collaboration with relevant industries to facilitate placement and self-employment opportunities for trained candidates.

The three Corporations under the Department, namely the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) and National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC), further extend loan facilities and assistance to eligible youth of target groups. This support is provided through project preparation, training and financial assistance for employability and entrepreneurship after completion of vocational education and training courses.

An Evaluation Study of the PM-DAKSH Scheme indicates strong relevance and learning effectiveness, with over 90 per cent of beneficiaries reporting alignment of training with career goals, local labour market needs and achievement of intended learning outcomes. The impact assessment highlights significant non-material gains, including improved confidence, self-esteem and social recognition, particularly among women and marginalized groups. Sustainability outcomes are largely positive, with most beneficiaries continuing to use acquired skills, expecting long-term income growth, reinvesting in development and demonstrating the ability to maintain improvements independently.

[This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri B. L. Verma, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.]

***

S.M