Launched in 2020-21, Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) was a Central Sector Scheme offering skill training through empanelled institutes. It supported wage employment and self-employment for SC, OBC, EWS and De-notified Tribes (DNTs), along with Safai Karamcharis, including waste pickers, to improve their socio-economic prospects.
The Department of Social Justice & Empowerment (DoSJE) implemented the scheme through three corporations: the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC), and National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC).
DoSJE provides funds to these corporations to reimburse eligible training costs under the scheme guidelines and work orders. Participating institutes are empanelled under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), administered by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). After training, institutes are required to secure wage employment and/or self-employment for at least 70% of trained candidates. Failure to meet this condition leads to forfeiture of the 3rd instalment, representing 30% of training costs. Institutes must also work with relevant industries to help trainees find employment. The corporations offer eligible young people loans and practical assistance to establish their own projects.
For 2020-21 to 2023-2024, the report records a total PM-DAKSH allocation of Rs.
276.47 crore. It separately reports actual expenditure of Rs. 309.5 crore incurred to date.
During 2020-21 to 2023-24, the scheme trained 1,87,305 candidates and placed 96,162, according to the report.
An evaluation found that over 90% of beneficiaries considered the training relevant to their career goals and local labour market needs, and reported achieving the intended learning outcomes. Beneficiaries also reported greater confidence, self-esteem and social recognition, particularly among women and marginalised groups. Most continued using their skills, expected income growth over time, reinvested in their development and felt able to sustain improvements independently.
PM-DAKSH was subsumed under PMKVY from 2024-25 onwards to avoid duplication. Its training job roles came from the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) portal and were already covered by PMKVY under MSDE. The merger brought these overlapping training activities within PMKVY.