The Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalata Sampanna Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) Yojana of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is a Central Sector Scheme, which was launched in 2020-21. The main objective of the Scheme is to enhance competency level of the target groups i.e. SCs, OBCs, EBCs, DNTs, Safai Karamcharis including waste pickers etc and to make them employable both in self-employment and wage-employment for their socio-economic development.

During 2020-21, about 32,097 trainees were trained out of whom 24,652 trainees were placed. The total expenditure on these trainings amounts to Rs. 44.79 crore. Similarly, in 2021-22, 42,002 trainees were trained out of which 31,033 trainees were placed for employment.  An amount of Rs. 68.22 crore was spent on these trainings.  In 2022-23, 33,021 trainees were trained out of which 21,552 trainees were placed.  An amount of Rs. 14.94 crore was released on these trainings. In this way, from the FY 2020-21 to 2022-23, trainings were imparted to 1,07,120 trainees out of whom 77,237 trainees were placed in gainful employment.  The total amount spend on these trainings is Rs. 127.95 crore.          

Similarly, from the year 2023-24 to 2025-26, it is projected to train 1,69,300 trainees (including 53,900, 56,450 and 58,950 trainees in the year 2023, 2024 and 2025 respectively).  A total amount of Rs. 286.42 crore is likely to be spent on these trainings. 

 During 2023-24, 28 Government and 84 private training institutes have been empanelled  for implementation of the Scheme.   More than 95,000 trainee targets have been distributed among these 112 empanelled training institutes.

The practice of empanelling institutes on yearly basis has been discontinued and now the institutes are empanelled for minimum period of three years subject to satisfactory physical and financial progress and non-indulgence of institutes concerned in any malpractices relating to implementation of the scheme.  

For the first time, while allotting the States, Districts, job roles etc., a transparent process was adopted due to which 411 Districts including 82 Aspirational Districts have been covered for implementation.

Further, latest job roles have been allotted to these training institutes.

Out of existing 38 training sectors, 32 sectors have been covered which are likely to diversify the training opportunities to the desirous trainee candidates and will also facilitate better employment opportunities to them.  

More than 55,000 applicants have already applied on the PM-DAKSH portal for 821 centers seeking training in 247 different courses. 

Out of these 55,000 plus applicants more than 37,000 applicants are female who are one of the important target groups for the training.  574 batches for training have already been formed and they are ready for commencement of training.  The training is likely to commence in all sanctioned centers in the month of December, 2023 itself.

PM-DAKSH Scheme

The Yojana: Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalata Sampanna Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) Yojana, a Central Sector Scheme, was launched during 2020-21.

Objective of the Scheme: The main objective of the Scheme is to enhance competency level of the target groups to make them employable both in self- employment and wage-employment for their socio-economic development.

Target Group: SCs, OBCs, EBCs, DNTs Safai Karamcharis including waste pickers etc.

Age Criterion: 18-45 years

Income Criteria: SCs, Safai Karamcharis Including wastepicker and DNT: No Income limit

OBCs : Annual family income below Rs.3 lakh.

EBCs : Annual family income below Rs.1 lakh.

The scheme is for the Indian Nationals, who are in the 18-45 years of age group.

There is no income limit for SCs, Safai Karamcharis Including waste picker and DNT, for OBCs the annual family income should be below Rs.3 lakh and for EBCs annual family income shold be below Rs.1 lakh per annum.   

Under the PM-Daksh scheme target groups of were trained broadly in the following sub categories-

1. Up-skilling/Reskilling ( 35 to 60 hours/ 5 days to 35 days):-Rs.3000/- to Rs.8000/-
2. Short Term Training (300 hours/3 months) :-Rs.22,000/-
3. Entrepreneurship Development Programme ( 90 hours/15 days):Rs.7000/-
4. Long Term Training ( 650 hours/7 months) :- Rs.45,000/-

The cost of training as per common norms issued by Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship varies according to duration of the course. Up-skilling for Safai Karamcharis including waste pickers is for 35 hours/5 days with average cost of Rs.3000/- per candidate.

Cost of training to trainees: Free of cost.

Stipend: stipend @ Rs.1,500/- per month to SCs and Safai Karamcharis and @ Rs.1,000/- per month to OBCs/EBCs/DNTs for non-residential Short Term and Long Term training courses.

Wage compensation @Rs.2500/- per candidate is given to SCs/OBCs/EBCs/DNTs candidates for Upskilling/Reskilling programme. Wage compensation @Rs.500/- per candidate is given to Safai Karamcharis candidates for Upskilling programme. 

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MG/MS/VL/SD