Implementation of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0

Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has been implementing its flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), since 2015, for imparting skill development training through Short-Term Training (STT) and up-skilling and re-skilling through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), to all sections of the society. PMKVY 4.0, which is being implemented since FY 2022-23, has been realigned as a demand-driven, technology-enabled and candidate-centric scheme. The additional features and their expected benefits are categorised as follows:

1. Improvement in Skilling

i. Uniform and quality-assured training: Courses are aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) to ensure standardized training, assessment and certification. An Standard Operating Procedure on Assessment and Certification is issued with clear timelines and responsibilities fixed for all the stakeholders.

ii. Industry-relevant skills: Training covers new-age and futuristic job roles, with flexible curricula developed and periodically updated in consultation with industry. More than 600+ futuristic job roles have been developed under PMKVY 4.0.

iii. Improved implementation and monitoring: The candidate lifecycle is digitally managed through the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), supported by Aadhaar-based authentication, live attendance monitoring and cross-utilization of best in class infrastructure available with educational and Government institutions like Institutes of National Imortance, CIPET, NIELIT etc.

1. Improvement in Employment Opportunities

i. Practical workplace exposure: On-the-Job Training is integrated into applicable courses to equip candidates with hands-on industry experience.

ii. Enhanced employability: Reskilling and upskilling, including through Recognition of Prior Learning, enable candidates to acquire competencies aligned with evolving occupational requirements.

iii. Diverse career pathways: Candidates are enabled to pursue wage employment, self-employment, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihood opportunities.

iv. A unified platform Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) is developed to integrate skilling, education and employment landscape and provide lifelong array of services to the beneficiaries including employment opportunities.

1. Strengthening Industry Linkages

i. Industry-aligned course curricula: Industries and Sector Skill Councils contribute to identifying skill requirements and developing or revising job roles and curricula.

ii. Industry participation in training delivery: Training is being delivered in collaboration with industries, including at industry premises, to strengthen exposure to actual workplace requirements.

iii. Strategic partnerships: Engagement with industries through partnerships, industry consultations and industry-led Awarding Bodies supports demand-driven training and closer alignment between skilling and employment opportunities. As on 30/6/26 more than fifteen leading companies, such as HCL Technologies, IBM, Bajaj Finserv, and Microsoft etc, have been designated as Awarding Bodies

Under PMKVY 4.0, training has been standardized through the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), aligning courses with industry needs and national priorities. Under the Scheme, training have been aligned to the requirements of new-age and futuristic job roles such as Artificial Intelligence, drones, robotics, green energy and semiconductor manufacturing as per market demand. As on 30/6/26 more than 600+ new-age and futuristic courses have been introduced under PMKVY 4.0.

Ministry has undertaken an independent third-party impact evaluation of the PMKVY 4.0, conducted by Arun Jaitley National Institute of Financial Management (AJNIFM), an autonomous institution of Ministry of Finance, Government of India. As per the report, PMKVY training has contributed to a measurable shift in employment outcomes for Short Term Training (STT) candidates. The combined share of employed and self-employed STT respondents increased from 26.6% prior to training to 45.4% after PMKVY training, reflecting an 18.8 percentage point increase. Income-related outcomes also show positive movement, with 41.4% of STT candidates and 48.9% of RPL candidates reporting an increase in income following training and certification. Overall, PMKVY 4.0 has significantly expanded access to formal skill training and certification and has generated measurable improvements in skill confidence, employment participation, and income outcomes for a substantial proportion of beneficiaries.

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 Rajya Sabha today.

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SH