Ministry of Minority Affairs Organizes PM VIKAS Implementation Review
The Ministry of Minority Affairs organized 'Samavesh Se VIKAS – Implementation Review and Stakeholder Dialogue' on November 4, 2026, at Samrasta Hall, Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi. The event brought together over 80 participants including Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) and stakeholders, presided over by Shri Shyama Prasad Roy, Joint Secretary, and Ms. Neha Giri, Director of the Ministry. The primary focus was reviewing progress of Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) scheme, addressing implementation challenges, and identifying measures to strengthen training quality and employment outcomes.
MoU Signings for Expanded Skill Development
The event featured the signing of four Memoranda of Understanding under PM VIKAS. With Pithampur Auto Cluster (PAC), the partnership will provide skill training for 2,400 candidates in Madhya Pradesh in job roles including Electric Vehicle Service Technician, CNC Milling Programmer, Warehouse Associate, and Supply Chain Executive (Sustainability). With Centre of Excellence in Maritime & Shipbuilding (CEMS), 6,300 candidates across Karnataka, Puducherry, Maharashtra, Telangana, West Bengal, Odisha, and Gujarat will receive training in roles including Business Analyst, Warehouse Supervisor, AI Technocrat, and Guest Service Executive (Front Office).
With Institute of Entrepreneurship Development (IED), 900 candidates in Uttar Pradesh will receive training as Solar PV Installers (Suryamitra) to prepare them for employment opportunities in renewable energy. Additionally, with Central University of Kashmir, signed on November 3, 2026, 120 candidates will receive 390-hour training as willow craft artisans in Ganderbal district, Jammu & Kashmir, aiming to preserve traditional craftsmanship while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Implementation Review and Quality Assurance Measures
Ms. Neha Giri presented on PM VIKAS implementation status, highlighting areas requiring attention and priorities for improvement. She emphasized the need for PIAs to focus sharply on placement outcomes, employer engagement, and timely reporting of verified placement data. The event included detailed PIA-wise implementation reviews examining progress, challenges, and practical measures to strengthen coordination, training delivery, and monitoring mechanisms.
Quality assurance discussions featured independent monitoring by Quality Council of India (QCI) and Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM Bangalore). Technology solutions presented included BlueDot for improving placement outcomes and Voice AI by EkStep Foundation for collecting candidate feedback. The role of National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) was discussed with emphasis on strengthening industry linkages and employment opportunities.
ITIHAAS – Indian Traditions and Heritage Society presented on 'Upskilling for Youth in Heritage and Tourism', highlighting opportunities for developing skills connected to India's cultural heritage and creating tourism-related livelihood opportunities. The event concluded with interactive dialogue allowing Ministry officials, stakeholders, and PIAs to share field-level experiences and recommendations for strengthening PM VIKAS delivery effectiveness.