In the last eleven years, the Government has reshaped the education and skill development landscape, with a sustained focus on employability, inclusivity and industry-relevant training. Targeting the aspirations of India’s growing middle class, a wide network of skilling programmes has helped millions acquire job-ready skills and access new opportunities in both traditional and emerging sectors.
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, established in 2014, has been at the centre of this transformation. What began as a response to the country’s need for a skilled workforce has evolved into one of the world’s largest human capital development missions. From short-term courses and apprenticeships to community-based learning and entrepreneurship training, the government’s initiatives have extended their reach to both urban centres and rural areas, bringing opportunity and stability to countless households.
A key component of this skilling ecosystem has been the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), launched in 2015. Designed to offer industry-aligned short-term training, the scheme has emerged as the backbone of India’s skill development efforts. As of April 18, 2025, PMKVY has trained over 1.63 crore youth across sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, information technology and construction.
The scheme’s inclusive approach ensured strong participation from women and marginalised communities. Over the years, PMKVY has also kept pace with technological advancements, introducing training in cutting-edge fields like Artificial Intelligence and Mechatronics. By expanding access to remote and underserved regions, the programme ensured that skill development is not limited to urban centres but made available to every aspiring citizen.
Under various phases of the scheme, PMKVY 1.0 trained nearly 20 lakh candidates in 2015–16, followed by over 1.1 crore under PMKVY 2.0 between 2016 and 2020. PMKVY 3.0, implemented from 2020 to 2022, trained over 7.3 lakh individuals, while the ongoing PMKVY 4.0 has already benefitted more than 26 lakh candidates.
