Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH), launched in 2020-21, has surpassed its budget by Rs. 309.5 crores and trained over 1,87,305 candidates. The scheme, implemented by three Corporations of the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment (DoSJE), aims to provide skill training to SC, OBC, EWS, De-notified Tribes (DNTs), Safai Karamcharis including Waste Pickers. A evaluation study reveals strong relevance and learning effectiveness, with over 90% of beneficiaries reporting alignment of training with career goals.
Launched in 2020-21, Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH), a Central Sector Scheme, aims to provide skill training to SC, OBC, EWS, De-notified Tribes (DNTs), Safai Karamcharis including Waste Pickers through empanelled training institutes for encouraging self-employment and wage-employment for their socio-economic development. The scheme is implemented by three Corporations of the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment (DoSJE): National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) and National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC).
The Scheme funds are disbursed to the Corporations, which reimburse training costs to empanelled institutes under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) Scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), as per the scheme guidelines. Post-training completion, at least 70% of trained candidates must be employed, or the third installment is forfeited. Training institutes are also mandated to collaborate with relevant industries for employment opportunities.
Since its inception, PM-DAKSH has expended Rs. 309.5 crores against a total budget of Rs. 276.47 crores from 2020-21 to 2023-2024. The scheme has trained 1,87,305 candidates and placed 96,162.
An evaluation study reveals strong relevance and learning effectiveness, with over 90% of beneficiaries reporting alignment of training with career goals, local labour market needs, and achievement of intended learning outcomes. Non-material gains such as improved confidence, self-esteem, and social recognition, particularly among women and marginalized groups, are evident.
From 2024-25 onwards, it was decided to merge PM-DAKSH Scheme with PMKVY Scheme of MSDE, as the PM-DAKSH Scheme was an additionality to the PMKVY and all job roles for providing skill training were taken from the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) portal which were also covered under PMKVY. Therefore, to avoid any duplication, PM DAKSH was subsumed under PMKVY.
Source:
Press Information Bureau
