Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH)
Introduction
The Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) scheme is an initiative by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJ&E) of India, aimed at enhancing the skills of marginalized communities. Launched in the 2020-21 fiscal year, this program focuses on empowering socially, educationally, and economically disadvantaged groups, including Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), Denotified Tribes (DNTs), Safai Mitras, and Waste Pickers. By offering high-quality training, the scheme seeks to improve their employability and income prospects.
About the PM-DAKSH Scheme
The PM-DAKSH initiative is designed to provide skill development programs that specifically target disadvantaged groups within society. The primary aim is to facilitate upskilling, reskilling, short-term training, and entrepreneurial development courses, ensuring that these groups can enhance their employability. The training aligns with the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) and includes post-training support for both employment and self-employment opportunities.
Benefits of the Scheme
The PM-DAKSH scheme offers numerous advantages for participants, including:
- Free training provided to all participants, with the government covering 100% of the costs.
- Stipends awarded to participants throughout the training duration.
- Certification provided upon successful completion of training and assessment.
- Employment placement opportunities offered after assessment and certification.
Types of Skill Development Programs
The scheme encompasses three categories of skill development programs:
1. Up-skilling/Re-skilling under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
- Target Group: Primarily focuses on Safai Mitras and Waste Pickers.
- Curriculum: Involves training on safe sanitation practices and relevant occupational practices aligned with approved Qualification Packs (QPs).
- Duration: Approximately 35 hours of training.
- Training Cost: Limited to the Common Cost Norms (CCN) set by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
- Stipend: Trainees will receive ₹500 per person as compensation for wage loss during training.
2. Short-Term Courses (Wage/Self-Employment Focus)
- Target Group: Primarily SCs, OBCs, EWS, DNTs, and sanitation workers, including Waste Pickers and dependents.
- Curriculum: Aligns with NSQF/National Occupational Standards (NOS) covering various job roles, including tailoring, furniture making, food processing, and more.
- Duration: Less than 1200 hours as per National Occupational Standards.
- Training Cost: As per Common Cost Norms for NSQF job roles.
- Stipend: Monthly stipends of ₹1,500 for SC candidates, ₹1,000 for OBCs/EWSs/DNTs, and ₹1,500 for sanitation workers and their dependents.
- Residential Training: Boarding and lodging provided, with expenses compensated within CCN. Safai Mitras, Waste Pickers, and their dependents may receive ₹500 per month.
3. Entrepreneurial Development Programs (EDP)
- Implementing Agency: The Ministry collaborates with the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) or similar organizations for EDP training.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the PM-DAKSH scheme, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Must be an Indian citizen with valid nationality proof.
- Age should be between 18 and 45 years.
- Must belong to one of the following categories: SC, OBC, EWS, DNT, or Safai Mitras (including Waste Pickers).
- OBC and EWS applicants must have a family income below ₹3,00,000 per annum.
- There are no income limits for SC, DNT, or Safai Mitras candidates.
- Possession of a valid Aadhaar card is mandatory (exemptions apply for states not fully implementing Aadhaar).
- An Aadhaar-linked bank account is required.
- Registration on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) is mandatory.
How to Apply
To apply for the PM-DAKSH scheme, follow these steps:
- Visit the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH).
- Click on the “Register” button located at the top-right corner.
- Select “Learner/Participant” on the subsequent page.
- Enter your mobile number and click “Continue.”
- Validate the OTP and set a password.
- Complete the registration process by validating your profile through e-KYC.
Required Documents
Applicants must provide the following documents:
- Proof of Indian nationality.
- Aadhaar card.
- Aadhaar-linked bank account details.
- Income certificate (if applicable).
For further information, you can visit the official website of the Skill India Digital Hub or contact the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
Benefits
Key benefits:
Training free of cost for the trainees, 100% grants by Government.
Stipend will be given to trainees during the period of training.
Trained candidates will be provided certification after successful completion of training and assessment.
Trained candidates will be provided placement after assessment and certification.
Category of Skilling Programmes:
1. Up-skilling/Re-skilling under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Target Group: Up-skilling / Re-skilling under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will only be applicable to SafaiMitras including waster pickers who constitute the bottom of the pyramid.
Curriculum: In respect of Safai Mitras including waste pickers, the curriculum will include the programmes on safe & healthy sanitation practices, occupational practices as per relevant and approved Qualification Packs (QPs). Certification would be aligned with the standard process.
Period of Training: The duration of the training programmes will be of approximately 35 hours keeping in mind the occupational hours of the trainees.
Training Cost: The training cost will be limited to extent of Common Cost Norms (CCN) issued by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) as applicable from time to time.
Other Expenses: As the trainees are already employed, they will be paid @₹500/- per person to Safai Mitras including Waste Pickers in the form of stipend, for duration of training of Up-skilling and Re-skilling under RPL, towards compensation of their wage loss, during the period of training.
2. Short-Term Courses (focus on wage/self-employment):
Target Group: Most disempowered groups belonging to SC/OBC/EWS/DNT and Sanitation Workers including Waste Pickers and their dependents having aspirations to be employed in sectors having good demand in job market with suitable wage.
Curriculum: The Curriculum of the training programmes will be as per National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF)/National Occupational Standard (NOS), issued by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India in various job roles with focus on wage and self-employment opportunities such as self-employed tailors training, furniture making, food processing, carpet weaving, beautician workers, leather work, latex harvesting, tyre fitting along with financial and digital literacy, etc. Training to be delivered through accredited and affiliated training centres.
Period of Training: The duration of the training programmes will be less than 1200 hours, as stipulated in National Occupational Standards (NOS) and Qualification Packs (QPs).
Training Cost: The training cost will be as per Common Cost Norms for NSQF job roles or as stipulated by concerned board as applicable and as amended from time to time.
Other Expenses:
For non-residential training programmes, the trainees will be paid stipend @ ₹1,500/- per month for SC candidates, ₹1,000/- per month to OBCs/EWSs/DNTs and ₹1,500/- per month to Sanitation Workers including waste pickers and their dependents.
For residential training programmes, wherever necessary, the trainees will be provided boarding and lodging and expenses compensated within CCN, for complete duration of the training programmes. No stipend will be separately payable except in case of Safai Mitras, Waste Pickers & their dependents who will be paid ₹500/- per month.
3. Entrepreneurial Development Programmes (EDP):
Implementing Agency: Ministry will approach National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) or any other organisation viz Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) under Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship for conducting EDP training.
Application Process
Apply Online
Apply Now →
Step 1: Visit the website of Skill India Digital Hub
(SIDH). On top-right side, click on the "Register" button.
Step 2: Choose "Learner/Participant" in next page.
Step 3: Enter your mobile number. Click on "Continue".
Step 4: Validate the OTP and set a password.
Step 5: After login, validate your profile through e-KYC to complete the registration process.
Frequently Asked Questions
References & Official Links
Scheme Details
| Full Name | Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) |
| Short Title | PM-DAKSH |
| Level | Central |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| Ministry | Ministry Of Social Justice and Empowerment |
| Categories | Skills & Employment |
| States | All India |
| Gender | All |
| Age Range | 18 — 45 years |
| Caste/Category | SC, OBC, EWS |
| Area | Both |
| Income Limit | ₹300,000/year |
| Source | www.myscheme.gov.in ↗ |
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Deepika Raikwar is an Education Analyst and scholarship researcher who focuses on public welfare and merit-based scholarships. She simplifies complex eligibility rules, deadlines, and application processes to help common people access reliable funding opportunities worldwide.
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