Progress of PMKVY and Skill India Mission Initiatives

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) provided a comprehensive update on the progress of skill development initiatives under the Skill India Mission. The ministry delivers skill, re-skill, and up-skill training through an extensive network of centers under various schemes including Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), and Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) through Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).

Institutional Framework and Infrastructure Expansion

MSDE has established the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) as an overarching regulator that has approved 10,209 qualifications as per industry requirements, with 2,975 qualifications currently valid and active and 7,234 qualifications archived. The physical infrastructure includes 13,633 training centers set up under PMKVY up to 30.06.2026, 294 training centers under JSS Scheme, 13,856 ITIs, and 33 NSTIs under the Directorate General of Training (DGT).

Industry Partnerships and Quality Enhancement

The ministry has launched the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM SETU) scheme to upgrade 1,000 Government ITIs (200 Hub ITIs and 800 Spoke ITIs) in a Hub and Spoke model with smart classrooms, modern labs, digital content, and new industry-aligned courses. DGT has implemented Flexi MoU Scheme and Dual System of Training in collaboration with industries and signed MoUs with technology companies including IBM, Microsoft, Autodesk, AWS, and Shell to provide technical and professional skills training in modern and green technologies. Two Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) have been established at Ahmedabad and Mumbai in Public Private Partnership mode, and 36 Sector Skill Councils led by industry leaders have been set up to identify skill development needs and determine competency standards.

Digital Integration and Employment Connectivity

MSDE launched Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), a unified platform that integrates skilling, education, employment, and entrepreneurship ecosystems to provide lifelong services. The platform enables candidates to access skill training, jobs, and apprenticeship opportunities, with candidate details available for employer connections. The ministry also organizes Kaushal Mahotsavs and Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Melas to facilitate placement opportunities for certified candidates.

Monitoring and Impact Assessment

The government undertakes periodic reviews of skilling initiatives assessing enrolment, certification, placement, self-employment outcomes, and employer feedback through MIS-based monitoring, third-party assessments, and beneficiary feedback. An independent third-party impact evaluation of PMKVY 4.0 conducted by Arun Jaitley National Institute of Financial Management revealed significant outcomes: the combined share of employed and self-employed short term training (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 showed 41.4% of STT candidates and 48.9% of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) candidates reporting increased income following training and certification.

Quality Assurance Mechanisms

PMKVY 4.0 employs a robust monitoring framework with accredited training centers, standardized assessment and certification processes, mandatory Training of Trainers and Training of Assessors programs, and technology-enabled monitoring mechanisms including Aadhaar/face-authentication-based attendance and integration with digital job platforms. The scheme also conducts periodic studies and stakeholder consultations to assess skill gaps, enhancing transparency, accountability, and outcome tracking.