PM-DAKSH Scheme Latest News
data released in the Lok Sabha revealed that Less than half of the students trained under the PM-DAKSH scheme between 2021 and 2024 were placed. PM-DAKSH (Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalata Sampanna Hitgrahi) Yojana, a Central Sector Scheme launched in 2020-21 to bridge the skill gap among India’s most vulnerable social groups.
What is the core structure and target group of the PM-DAKSH Scheme?
The scheme is designed to provide high-quality institutional training to enhance the competency of specific marginalized sections of society. Its primary goal is to make these candidates “Daksht” (skilled) so they can secure sustainable livelihoods.
Target Groups and Eligibility:
- Beneficiaries: It specifically targets Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), De-notified Tribes (DNTs), and Safai Karamcharis (including waste pickers).
- Age Limit: Candidates must be between 18 and 45 years of age.
- Income Criteria: While there is no income limit for SCs, DNTs, or Safai Karamcharis, candidates from OBC and EWS categories must have an annual family income below ₹3 lakh.
What are the different training models and recent administrative changes?
PM-DAKSH operates through four distinct training interventions to suit different professional needs:
- Up-skilling/Re-skilling: Short-duration training (32 to 80 hours) for traditional artisans and workers to upgrade their existing skills.
- Short-Term Training: Focusing on new-age skills with a duration of 200 to 600 hours.
- Long-Term Training: In-depth professional courses lasting 6 months to 1 year.
- Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP): Specifically for those who wish to start their own small businesses.
Key Institutional Update:
To ensure better synergy and standardization across India’s skill ecosystem, PM-DAKSH has been merged with the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. This move aims to align the training of marginalized groups with national industry standards.
What are the critical challenges regarding placement and outcomes?
The effectiveness of a welfare scheme is measured by its outcomes. Recent data presented in the Lok Sabha has raised significant concerns:
- Placement Gap: Between 2021 and 2024, less than half of the students trained under the scheme successfully secured job placements.
- Structural Issues: While the scheme is successful in “output” (number of people trained), it is struggling with “outcomes” (actual employment). This suggests a mismatch between the skills provided and the current market demand.
- Way Forward: To address this, the government is moving toward incentive-based funding for training partners. Training institutes are now increasingly required to ensure a minimum of 70% placement for their graduates to receive full payment, shifting the focus from mere certificate distribution to actual economic empowerment.
