The Union Minister for Minority Affairs recently announced in the Parliament that, under the Gharib Nawaz Employment Scheme, a total of 371 training centers have been inaugurated across the country. This scheme, launched by the Ministry of Minority Affairs in 2017, aims to offer short-term job-oriented skill development courses to youth from minority communities and thus, enable them for skill-based employment.
Gharib Nawaz Employment Scheme: A Closer Look
Implemented by the Maulana Azad Education Foundation—an autonomous body under the Ministry of Minority Affairs—the Gharib Nawaz Employment Scheme is designed as per the common norms of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSD&E). Through the empanelled Program Implementation Agencies (PIAs), which are mandated to place a minimum of 70% trainees out of the total trained, the scheme provides minorities with accessible job-oriented training.
Additionally, beneficiaries receive a monthly stipend for a maximum of three months and post-placement support for up to two months after securing employment. These incentives are transferred directly into the beneficiaries’ accounts, thus ensuring transparency and accountability.
Understanding Minorities in India
Although the term “Minority” is not explicitly defined in the Indian Constitution, the document acknowledges both religious and linguistic minorities. There are six minority communities in India that the government officially recognizes: Jain, Parsi, Buddhist, Christian, Sikh, and Muslim.
Constitutional and Legal Provisions for Minorities
Several articles in the Indian Constitution cater to the rights and protection of these minority groups. Article 29 safeguards any section of citizens who have a distinct language, script, or culture and wish to preserve it, offering protection to both religious and linguistic minorities.
Article 30 grants minority groups the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice, whereas Article 350-B—inserted by the 7th Constitutional (Amendment) Act 1956—provides for a Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities appointed by the President of India.
Further legal provisions include the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) Act, 1992 and the National Commission for Minority Education Institution (NCMEI) Act, 2004.
Other Schemes Benefiting Minority Communities
Apart from the Gharib Nawaz Employment Scheme, there are other initiatives designed to uplift minority communities. These include the Prime Minister’s 15 Point Programme, Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram, Seekho aur Kamao, Usttad (Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development), Garib Nawaz Kaushal Vikas Yojana, Nai Manzil (aimed at the formal skilling of school dropouts), Nai Roshni (geared towards leadership development of minority women), and the Begum Hazrat Mahal Girls scholarships.
Through these schemes, the Government of India seeks to provide equal opportunities for minorities, ensuring they have access to education, employment, and overall societal inclusion.