पीएम दक्ष योजना: 2020-24 में 1.87 लाख उम्मीदवारों को प्रशिक्षण, 96 हजार को रोजगार

23 Oct पीएम दक्ष योजना: 2020-24 में 1.87 लाख उम्मीदवारों को प्रशिक्षण, 96 हजार को रोजगार

✎ PM-DAKSH is a Central Sector Scheme under MoSJE, launched in 2020-21, to skill marginalised communities (SCs, OBCs, EWS, DNTs, Safai Karamcharis) and facilitate employment, with a mandate for training institutions to place at…

Subject Relevance — Where This Topic Fits

• GS Paper II — Social Justice and Empowerment  |  GS Paper III — Skill Development and Employment
• Prelims: Pradhan Mantri DAKSH (PM-DAKSH), PMKVY, Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC), National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC), Skill India Mission, Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), Outcome-Based Assessment (OBA), Skill Ecosystem
• Essay: Skill development as a tool for social inclusion and economic empowerment, Bridging the skill gap: Government initiatives for marginalised sections

Quick Revision: PM-DAKSH is a Central Sector Scheme under MoSJE, launched in 2020-21, to skill marginalised communities (SCs, OBCs, EWS, DNTs, Safai Karamcharis) and facilitate employment, with a mandate for training institutions to place at least 70% of candidates post-training.

Why is this in the news?

The Press Information Bureau (PIB) released data on the performance of the Pradhan Mantri DAKSH (PM-DAKSH) scheme, highlighting its achievements in training and employment generation for marginalised communities from 2020-21 to 2023-24. The scheme has been merged with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship’s (MSDE) Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) from 2024-25 onwards, underscoring the government’s focus on consolidating skill development initiatives under a unified framework.

Background

• The PM-DAKSH scheme was launched in 2020-21 as a Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) to address skill gaps among marginalised communities.
• The scheme targets Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs), and Safai Karamcharis (including waste pickers).
• It aims to enhance socio-economic mobility by providing skill training aligned with local labour market demands, thereby facilitating both wage and self-employment opportunities.
• The scheme operates through three dedicated corporations under MoSJE: National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC), and National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC).
• The Skill India Mission, launched in 2015, serves as the overarching framework for skill development initiatives in India, with PMKVY being its flagship programme.
• The merger of PM-DAKSH with PMKVY reflects a strategic consolidation to avoid duplication and leverage the existing infrastructure of PMKVY, including the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) portal.

What is the Pradhan Mantri DAKSH (PM-DAKSH) Scheme?

• Objective: To provide free skill development training to marginalised communities to enhance their employability and socio-economic status.
• Target Groups: SCs, OBCs, EWS, DNTs, and Safai Karamcharis (including waste pickers).
• Implementation: The scheme is implemented by NSFDC, NBCFDC, and NSKFDC under the administrative control of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE).
• Training Modalities: Training is provided through empanelled training institutions aligned with industry requirements, ensuring relevance to local labour market needs.
• Employment Facilitation: Training institutions are mandated to place at least 70% of trained candidates in wage-based or self-employment roles post-training; non-compliance results in forfeiture of 30% of the training cost.
• Financial Outlay: A total of ₹276.47 crore was allocated for PM-DAKSH from 2020-21 to 2023-24, with ₹309.5 crore expended to date.
• Achievements (2020-21 to 2023-24): 1,87,305 candidates trained, and 96,162 placed in employment.
• Impact: Evaluation studies indicate over 90% of beneficiaries reported alignment of training with career goals and local labour market needs, alongside non-economic benefits such as increased confidence, self-esteem, and social recognition.
• Merger with PMKVY: From 2024-25, PM-DAKSH has been integrated into PMKVY to avoid duplication, as both schemes utilise the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) portal for role mapping.

Key Features

Feature	Significance
Target Beneficiaries	Centrally sponsored scheme for SCs, OBCs, EWS, DNTs, and sanitation workers (including waste pickers) to address social and economic disparities through skill development.
Implementation Agencies	Executed by three corporations under the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment: NSFDC, NBCFDC, and NSKFDC, ensuring targeted financial and institutional support.
Training Modalities	Skill training provided through institutions listed on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) portal, aligned with local labour market demands and career aspirations.
Employment Mandate	Mandatory placement of at least 70% trained candidates in wage-based or self-employment roles post-training; failure results in forfeiture of 30% of the training cost.
Financial Outlay	Total allocation of ₹276.47 crore (2020-21 to 2023-24) with ₹309.5 crore expended, demonstrating scalability and resource utilisation efficiency.

Why it Matters

Social Inclusion

• Reduces structural barriers for marginalised groups (SCs, OBCs, EWS, DNTs, sanitation workers) by providing equitable access to skill development and employment opportunities.
• Enhances social mobility through measurable outcomes such as increased self-confidence, social recognition, and long-term income sustainability among beneficiaries.

Economic Empowerment

• Contributes to the formalisation of the workforce by transitioning beneficiaries from informal or low-productivity sectors to structured employment or entrepreneurship.
• Supports local economic growth through skill-aligned training that meets regional labour market demands, thereby addressing skill gaps in high-demand sectors.

Governance and Efficiency

• Demonstrates inter-ministerial coordination between the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) for streamlined implementation.
• Showcases the efficacy of outcome-based funding models, where financial disbursements are contingent on performance metrics (e.g., placement rates).

Sustainability and Impact

• Longitudinal benefits observed, with 90% of beneficiaries reporting alignment of training with career goals and local labour market needs, ensuring relevance and durability of acquired skills.
• Promotes reinvestment in communities and self-sustaining livelihoods, as evidenced by beneficiaries utilising skills for continued income generation and entrepreneurial ventures.

Challenges

1. Geographical Disparities in Training Access

• Uneven distribution of training institutions across states may limit access for beneficiaries in remote or underserved regions, particularly in tribal and rural areas.
• Potential mismatch between training offerings and local labour market demands in certain geographies, leading to suboptimal placement outcomes.

UPSC Link: GS-II: Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections

2. Socio-Cultural Barriers

• Deep-rooted societal prejudices or familial constraints may discourage participation, especially among women and DNT communities, despite the scheme’s inclusive design.
• Stigma associated with certain occupations (e.g., sanitation work) may persist, affecting beneficiaries’ willingness to engage in related skill training.

UPSC Link: GS-I: Social Empowerment

3. Monitoring and Evaluation Gaps

• Post-training follow-up mechanisms may be inadequate to track long-term employment outcomes, particularly for self-employed beneficiaries.
• Limited granular data on the quality of placements (e.g., wage levels, sectoral distribution) hinders evidence-based policy refinement.

UPSC Link: GS-II: Governance Issues

4. Financial Sustainability Post-Merger

• The merger with PMKVY under MSDE may dilute the targeted focus of PM-DAKSH, risking reduced prioritisation for marginalised groups within a broader skill development framework.
• Ensuring continuity of financial support for beneficiaries under the new structure requires robust institutional safeguards.

UPSC Link: GS-III: Economic Development

Challenges — UPSC Perspective

Issue	Concern
Access to Training Institutions	Limited availability of training centres in remote or tribal regions may exclude eligible beneficiaries from participation.
Alignment with Local Labour Markets	Training programmes may not always reflect the evolving skill demands of regional industries, leading to underemployment.
Post-Training Support	Inadequate mentorship or financial assistance for self-employment ventures may hinder sustained livelihoods.
Data Tracking for Long-Term Impact	Absence of robust longitudinal data systems to monitor career progression and income growth beyond initial placements.
Stigma and Social Barriers	Cultural or societal resistance to certain occupations (e.g., sanitation work) may persist despite skill upgradation.

Government Initiatives — Must-Memorise for Prelims

• Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)
• PM-DAKSH (Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi)

Way Forward

• Strengthen decentralised training infrastructure by expanding the network of institutions in underserved regions, leveraging partnerships with local governments and industry clusters.
• Enhance real-time labour market intelligence systems to dynamically align training curricula with sectoral demands, particularly in emerging industries.
• Institutionalise post-training mentorship and financial support mechanisms for self-employed beneficiaries to ensure sustained livelihoods.
• Develop a unified national database for tracking long-term outcomes (e.g., wage growth, sectoral mobility) across all skill development schemes to enable data-driven policymaking.
• Conduct periodic impact assessments to identify gaps in geographical coverage, beneficiary participation, and employment outcomes, with corrective measures for marginalised groups.
• Promote awareness campaigns to address socio-cultural barriers, particularly among women and DNT communities, highlighting success stories and economic benefits of skill training.
• Ensure seamless transition for PM-DAKSH beneficiaries under PMKVY by maintaining targeted funding streams and monitoring mechanisms for vulnerable groups.

UPSC Value Addition

Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) Yojana: 1. It is a centrally sponsored scheme aimed at providing skill training to SCs, OBCs, EWS, DNTs, and safai karamcharis. 2. The scheme is implemented by three corporations under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: NSFDC, NBCFDC, and NSKFDC. 3. The training under PM-DAKSH is provided exclusively through government-run ITIs and polytechnics. 4. The scheme mandates that at least 70% of trained candidates must be placed in wage-based employment or self-employment after training. How many of the above statements are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Answer: Only three — Statements 1, 2, and 4 are correct. Statement 3 is incorrect because training is provided through listed training institutions, which include both government and private entities registered under the scheme.

Q2. Assertion (A): The PM-DAKSH Yojana was merged with the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) in 2024-25 to avoid duplication of efforts in skill training. Reason (R): Both schemes operated under the same ministry and utilised the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) portal for training role mapping, leading to overlapping administrative and financial processes.

1. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
2. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
3. A is true, but R is false
4. A is false, but R is true

Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Both the assertion and reason are correct, and the reason accurately explains why the merger was undertaken to streamline implementation and avoid duplication.

Q3. Match the following corporations with their respective ministries under which they function:
Column I (Corporation)
1. National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC)
2. National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC)
3. National Safai Karamchari Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC)

Column II (Ministry)
A. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
B. Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
C. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs

1. 1-A, 2-A, 3-A; 1-A, 2-B, 3-C; 1-B, 2-A, 3-A; 1-A, 2-C, 3-B
2. answer_string_array_indexed_by_0_1_2_3_4_5_6_7_8_9_10_11_12_13_14_15_16_17_18_19_20_21_22_23_24_25_26_27_28_29_30_31_32_33_34_35_36_37_38_39_40_41_42_43_44_4
3. answer_array_indexed_by_0_1_2_3_4_5_6_7_8_9_10_11_12_13_14_15_16_17_18_19_20_21_22_23_24_25_26_27_28_29_30_31_32_33_34_35_36_37_38_39_40_41_42_43_44_4
4. answer_array_indexed_by_0_1_2_3_4_5_6_7_8_9_10_11_12_13_14_15_16_17_18_19_20_21_22_23_24_25_26_27_28_29_30_31_32_33_34_35_36_37_38_39_40_41_42_43_44

Answer: 1-A, 2-A, 3-A; 1-A, 2-B, 3-C; 1-B, 2-A, 3-A; 1-A, 2-C, 3-B — NSFDC, NBCFDC, and NSKFDC all function under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship oversees PMKVY, while the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is unrelated to these corporations.

Mains Practice Question

✍ The convergence of the Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) Yojana with the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) in 2024-25 represents a strategic rationalisation of skill development initiatives in India. Critically examine the rationale behind this convergence, highlighting its implications for marginalised groups such as SCs, OBCs, EWS, DNTs, and safai karamcharis. Also, assess the effectiveness of outcome-based funding mechanisms in ensuring sustainable employment outcomes for beneficiaries. (15 Marks)

Approach: MODEL-ANSWER SKELETON:

1. **Rationale for Convergence**:
– **Avoidance of Duplication**: Both schemes operated under different ministries (Social Justice and Empowerment vs. Skill Development and Entrepreneurship) but utilised the same Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) portal for role mapping, leading to administrative and financial inefficiencies.
– **Streamlining Implementation**: PM-DAKSH’s targeted focus on marginalised groups (SCs, OBCs, EWS, DNTs, safai karamcharis) was overlapping with PMKVY’s broader mandate, necessitating integration to leverage PMKVY’s existing infrastructure.
– **Policy Efficiency**: The merger aligns with the broader Skill India Mission’s goal of creating a unified ecosystem for skill development, reducing fragmentation.

2. **Implications for Marginalised Groups**:
– **Enhanced Access**: Marginalised groups will now have access to a wider array of training programmes under PMKVY, including those aligned with industry demands.
– **Sustainable Livelihoods**: The integration ensures that training programmes are designed to meet local labour market needs, as evidenced by the 90%+ satisfaction rate among beneficiaries.
– **Financial Inclusion**: The three corporations (NSFDC, NBCFDC, NSKFDC) continue to provide credit and guidance, ensuring that beneficiaries can transition from training to self-employment or wage-based jobs.

3. **Outcome-Based Funding Mechanisms**:
– **Mandate for Placement**: Training institutions are required to place at least 70% of trainees in employment; failure results in forfeiture of 30% of the training cost, ensuring accountability.
– **Industry Alignment**: Institutions must maintain linkages with industries to ensure relevance, addressing the gap between training and employment.
– **Data-Driven Impact**: The scheme’s evaluation study highlights that 90%+ beneficiaries reported alignment with career goals and local labour market needs, indicating the effectiveness of outcome-based funding.

4. **Challenges and Critiques**:
– **Targeted vs. Universal Approach**: While PMKVY is universal, PM-DAKSH’s focus on marginalised groups may dilute its specificity, requiring safeguards to ensure continued prioritisation.
– **Monitoring and Evaluation**: The effectiveness of the merger depends on robust monitoring of placements and post-training support, particularly for vulnerable groups.
– **Long-Term Sustainability**: The scheme’s success hinges on sustained funding, industry collaboration, and beneficiary engagement beyond the training period.

5. **Conclusion**:
– The convergence is a pragmatic step towards rationalising skill development initiatives, ensuring better alignment with labour market needs and improving outcomes for marginalised groups.
– However, its long-term success will depend on effective implementation, continuous monitoring, and adaptive policy measures to address evolving challenges.

Source: PIB (Press Information Bureau)

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