Under the Government of India Skill India Mission (SIM), launched in 2015, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) provides skill, re-skill and up-skill training through an extensive network of skill development centres under major schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), and the Craftsman Training Scheme (CTS) in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), to all sections of the society across the country, to enhance the skills and employability of the working age population. These initiatives collectively promote NSQF-aligned skilling, digital and financial literacy, soft skills and entrepreneurship, and are supported by large-scale mobilization and awareness campaign under the 'Skill India' banner, including Rozgar Melas, apprenticeship drives and digital outreach via the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH).

Since the launch of SIM, considerable achievements have been made in the area of skill development. Under this mission, PMKVY scheme, introduced in 2015–16, has trained and certified over 1.64 crore candidates (up to 31 October 2025). Under NAPS, 49.12 lakh apprentices have been engaged from 2016–17 to FY 2025–26 (up to 31 October 2025). The number of ITIs has increased from 9,776 in 2014 to 14,682 at present. The Cabinet has also approved Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability through Upgraded ITIs (PM SETU) scheme, with an estimated outlay of ₹60,000 crore, over a period of five years, aimed at upgrading 1,000 ITIs through a Hub (200)–Spoke (800) model to enhance vocational training relevance. Due to these collective efforts, the percentage of youth aged 15–29 who are vocationally trained has increased from 7.1% in 2017–18 to 26.1% in 2023–24.

The total number of candidates enrolled under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) since its inception up to 31st October, 2025 is 17,611,055, and the total number of candidates trained during the same period is 16,433,033.

MSDE is implementing PMKVY scheme for imparting skill development training through Short-Term Training (STT) and up-skilling and re-skilling through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to youth across the country with aim to enhance the employability of the youth to access employment opportunities by equipping them with industry relevant skills.

Under the PMKVY scheme, placements were tracked in the Short-Term Training (STT) component in the first three versions of the PMKVY Scheme which is PMKVY 1.0, PMKVY 2.0 and PMKVY 3.0 implemented during FY 2015-16 to FY 2021-22. Under PMKVY 4.0, the emphasis was on enabling trained candidates to pursue diverse career paths by providing them with appropriate guidance and orientation. Further, various IT tools like Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) also gives this opportunity.

Under PMKVY 4.0, the support for boarding, lodging, and transportation is provided to special groups—including women and persons with disabilities (PWDs) —as well as to candidates from Special Areas, in accordance with the Common Cost Norms, for training conducted both within and outside these areas. In case of non-residential training, conveyance facility is also admissible for special groups. Further,training providers receive special assistance of up to ₹5,000 per PwD candidate for procuring assistive devices and aids, ensuring their effective participation in skill training and for subsequently enhancing their opportunities and access to gainful wage and self-employment.

This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Shri Jayant Chaudhary in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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