Context:

• With more than 1.63 crore youth trained under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), India marks the program’s tenth anniversary.

PMKVY: What is it?

• The Government of India’s flagship skill development program, PMKVY, aims to increase youth employability by teaching them industry-relevant job skills.

• The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) launched it.

• Initially introduced in 2015 as part of the Skill India Mission (SIM).

• The main goal is to close the skill gap between young people’s abilities and industry demands by offering placement assistance, short-term training, and recognition of prior skills.

Important Attributes:

• STT, or Short-Term Training: Provides new hires in more than 30 sectors with 3–6 months of training.

• Prior Learning Recognition (RPL): Certifies unpaid labourers such as craftsmen, weavers, and artisans, confirming their current competencies.

• Digital Integration: A unified Skill India Digital Hub, Academic Bank of Credits, and AI-based analytics are all integrated into PMKVY 4.0.

• Focus on Inclusivity: Women make up nearly 45% of trained beneficiaries, and SC, ST, and OBC communities are well-represented.

• Global & Emerging Skills: Traditional crafts were supported, and training was expanded to include topics like AI, IoT, mechatronics, and drones.

• Training for COVID Warriors and the Skill Hub Initiative: 1.2 lakh young people were trained for COVID-related jobs through integrated vocational training in schools.

PMKVY’s Accomplishments Over the Past Ten Years:

• As of July 2025, 1.63 crore youth had received PMKVY training.

• Since 2014, more than 6 crore people have received training through all MSDE skilling programs.

• Under PMKVY 4.0, over 25 lakh people were trained (FY 2022–2025).

• Under PMKVY 2.0, 1.10 crore people received training connected to Make in India and Digital India.

• 56 lakhs were trained under RSETIs (entrepreneurship focus).

• 17 lakhs were trained under DDU-GKY.