India’s flagship skilling programme, the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), completes a decade, having helped train over 6 crore people through various initiatives since 2014. Of these, more than 1.6 crore were trained under PMKVY alone.
Evolving to Meet Industry Needs
Launched in 2015, PMKVY has grown from short-term training to a comprehensive approach including apprenticeships, entrepreneurship support, and global job readiness. The latest phase, PMKVY 4.0, has trained over 25 lakh youth as of July 2025, featuring AI-based analytics, credit portability, and integration with the Skill India Digital Hub.
Inclusive and Diverse Training
Nearly 45% of PMKVY trainees are women, with strong participation from SC, ST, and OBC groups. Special projects have targeted tribal youth, prison inmates, and artisans, with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) helping certify existing skills in states like Jammu & Kashmir and Nagaland.
Balancing Tradition and Technology
PMKVY supports training in manufacturing, IT, healthcare, and retail, while also preparing workers for emerging fields like AI, drones, and IoT. New Centres of Excellence in Hyderabad and Chennai aim to raise training standards nationwide.
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Boosted by Other Government Schemes
Complementary schemes such as PM Vishwakarma Yojana (over 2.7 crore applications) support traditional artisans, while DDU-GKY has trained nearly 17 lakh rural youth since 2014. RSETIs have trained over 56 lakh people this year alone, encouraging entrepreneurship in rural areas.
