New Delhi, October 22: The Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) scheme trained 1,87,305 candidates and facilitated the placement of 96,162 between 2020-21 and 2023-24, according to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
The Central Sector Scheme was launched in 2020-21 to provide skill training to Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), De-notified Tribes (DNTs) and Safai Karamcharis, including waste pickers, to improve access to wage employment and self-employment.
The ministry said PM-DAKSH was merged with the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), implemented by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, from 2024-25 to avoid duplication. The job roles offered under PM-DAKSH were also available through the Skill India Digital Hub and covered under PMKVY.
The scheme was implemented through three corporations under the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment: the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation, the National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation, and the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation.
The department released funds to these corporations, which reimbursed training costs to empanelled institutes in accordance with scheme guidelines and work orders.
Training institutes were required to provide wage or self-employment to at least 70% of trained candidates. Failure to meet the requirement resulted in the forfeiture of the third instalment, amounting to 30% of the training cost. Institutes were also required to collaborate with relevant industries to facilitate employment.
According to the ministry, ₹309.5 crore had been spent against an allocation of ₹276.47 crore for the scheme during 2020-21 to 2023-24. The figures indicate expenditure exceeding the stated allocation, though the ministry’s release did not explain the difference.
An evaluation study found that more than 90% of beneficiaries considered the training aligned with their career goals and local labour-market needs and said it achieved the intended learning outcomes.
The study also reported improvements in beneficiaries’ confidence, self-esteem and social recognition, particularly among women and marginalised groups. Most beneficiaries continued to use the skills they had acquired and expressed expectations of long-term income growth.
The three implementing corporations also provide loans and handholding support to eligible beneficiaries seeking to establish their own ventures.
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