Less than half of those trained under PM-DAKSH scheme for SCs, STs, OBCs, DNTs got jobs

Less than half of the students trained under the PM-DAKSH scheme between 2021 and 2024 were placed, as per data released in the Lok Sabha on February 3. Under the Scheme, training institutes are required to provide employment (which includes wage and/or self-employment) to at least 70% of the trained candidates after completion of training under Short Term Training Courses. If these institutes fail to do so, the release of 30% of the training cost per candidate is forfeited. About 1.5 lakh candidates were trained between 2021 and 2024, of which 44% were provided job opportunities.

The Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalata Sampanna Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) Yojana, is a Central Sector Scheme that was launched during 2020-21. The programme was intended to provide skills through good quality institutions so that candidates from its target group can find employment. The target group includes members of Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Castes, Economically Weaker Sections, and the De-notified Tribes in India (DNTs), including those who are ‘Safai Karamcharis’ or waste pickers.

There are three Corporations under this Department, the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation (NBCFDC), and National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC). These corporations extend loan facilities and assistance to the eligible youth in setting up their projects, training, and financial assistance for employability and entrepreneurship after pursuing education.

Data show that all three corporations fell short of their required placement rate. Only 49.8% of the trained candidates were placed under the NSFDC, meant to assist members of the Scheduled Castes. States such as Rajasthan, Tripura, and Jharkhand saw less than 40% of the candidates placed.

Similarly, the NBCFDC for Backward classes managed to place 48.9% of the trained candidates between 2021 and 2024.

Only 23% of the candidates who trained under the NSKFDC, meant for DNTs including Safai Karamcharis, were placed. As per the data released in the Lok Sabha, 16 out of 25 States trained no candidates under NSKFDC in 2023-24.

From 2024–25 onwards, PM-DAKSH has been merged with the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.