Governance
10 Years of Skill India Mission
- 18 Jul 2025
- 8 min read
For Prelims: Skill India Mission, SANKALP Scheme, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY 4.0), Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS), and Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) Scheme, National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), PM JANMAN, Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS)
For Mains: Key Achievements and Challenges Related to Skill India Mission, Key Initiatives Related to Skill Development in India, Emerging Sectors where India can Prioritize Skilling Efforts
Why in News?
The Skill India Mission launched on 15th July 2015 (World Youth Skills Day) has completed 10 years in 2025, marking a decade of efforts to empower India's youth with job-ready skills.
Note:
- World Youth Skills Day, declared by the United Nations General Assembly’s (UNGA) in 2014, is celebrated annually on 15th July to emphasise the strategic importance of skilling youth.
- The 2025 theme focuses on empowering youth through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital skills.
What is the Skill India Mission?
- About: The scheme is designed to skill, reskill, and upskill India's youth by offering industry-relevant training through a vast network of centers and programs, addressing the increasing demand for employability, entrepreneurship, and quality job opportunities.
- Over 6 crore individuals have been trained under various schemes, including in emerging sectors like artificial intelligence, robotics, green energy, and Industry 4.0 technologies.
- Restructured Skill India Mission (2022–26): In February 2025, the restructured Skill India Mission was approved for 2022-23 to 2025-26, merging Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY 4.0), Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS), and Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) Scheme into a single Central Sector Scheme.
- Key Features: All the courses and certifications under the Skill India Program are aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) and integrated with DigiLocker & National Credit Framework (NCrF).
What are the Key Initiatives Launched Under Skill India Mission?
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Scheme |
About & Objectives |
Achievements |
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Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): |
PMKVY, launched on 15th July 2015 under the Skill India Mission, aims to provide free, short-term, quality-assured skill training to enhance the employability of youth. Phases:
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As of July 2025, over 1.63 crore candidates have been trained across sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, IT, and construction.
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Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) Scheme: |
JSS is a community-based vocational training programme for non-literates, neo-literates, and school dropouts.
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Over 26 lakh individuals trained between FY 2018–19 and 2023–24. |
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Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS): |
PM-NAPS aims to boost apprenticeship training by providing 25% stipend support Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for individuals aged 14–35 years. |
As of May 2025, over 43.47 lakh apprentices have been engaged across 36 States/UTs. |
Skill Development Schemes in India
- Rural Self Employment and Training Institutes (RSETIs): These are bank-led residential training centres providing entrepreneurship development to rural youth.
- As of June 2025, over 5.67 million candidates have been trained, significantly rising from 2.29 million in FY 2016–17.
- Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY): Launched under NRLM in 2014, it targets rural youth unemployment through demand-driven, placement-linked skill training, ensuring wage employment and inclusive rural development.
- PM Vishwakarma Yojana: Launched on 17th September 2023, this scheme supports traditional artisans and craftspeople engaged in 18 identified trades (e.g., carpenter, potter, blacksmith). It provides toolkits, digital incentives, collateral-free credit, and market linkage support.
- Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH): A tech-driven platform enabling Aadhaar-based verification, real-time monitoring of skilling outcomes, and integration with education and entrepreneurship ecosystems.
- Centres of Excellence at NSTIs: Launched in 2025 at Hyderabad and Chennai, these centres focus on advanced instructor training and skilling in AI, robotics, and green technologies, boosting national skilling capacity.
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Click Here to Read: Key Issues Associated with India’s Skilling Initiatives Click Here to Read: Strategic Measures to Reform India’s Skilling Ecosystem |
Conclusion
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) has been a key pillar of India’s skilling ecosystem, promoting inclusivity, industry-relevance, and future-readiness. As India advances toward a knowledge-based economy, alignment of skill development with digital governance, demand-driven training, and demographic dividend utilization will be critical for sustained growth and employment generation.
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Drishti Mains Question: Despite multiple initiatives, skill development in India often lacks industry linkage and regional balance. Examine the causes and suggest corrective steps. |
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. With reference to Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, consider the following statements: (2018)
- It is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
- It, among other things, will also impart training in soft skills, entrepreneurship, and financial and digital literacy.
- It aims to align the competencies of the unregulated workforce of the country to the National Skill Qualification Framework.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (c)
Mains
Q. “Demographic Dividend in India will remain only theoretical unless our manpower becomes more educated, aware, skilled and creative.” What measures have been taken by the government to enhance the capacity of our population to be more productive and employable? (2016)
