The Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) is a consolidated, outcome-based Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA). It aims to improve the socio-economic status of India’s six notified minority communities (Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis) by integrating skill development, education, and leadership training.
Scheme Genesis and Consolidation
PM VIKAS serves as an umbrella program, streamlining the ministry’s efforts by subsuming five erstwhile schemes into a single framework. This integration is designed to reduce administrative overlap and enhance the impact of government interventions.
- Seekho aur Kamao: Focuses on skill development.
- USTTAD (Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development): Focuses on traditional craft preservation.
- Hamari Dharohar: Focuses on preserving minority heritage and culture.
- Nai Roshni: Focuses on leadership development for women.
- Nai Manzil: Focuses on formal education and bridge courses for school dropouts.
Core Objectives
The scheme is aligned with the goals of inclusive development and focuses on the following pillars:
- Skill Development: Providing training in both traditional (artisanal) and non-traditional (market-relevant) sectors to boost employability.
- Cultural Preservation: Protecting the intangible cultural heritage of minority communities, including manuscripts, documents, and unique craftsmanship.
- Education: Bridging the education gap for school dropouts by facilitating formal certification (8th, 10th, and 12th standards) through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS).
- Women Empowerment: Promoting leadership and entrepreneurship among minority women, including the creation of “Biz Sakhis” (business mentors).
- Economic Linkages: Facilitating access to credit through the National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC) and connecting beneficiaries to domestic and global markets.
Key Components
The scheme functions through four major components:
| Component | Focus Area |
| Skilling & Training | Traditional arts/crafts (languishing art forms) and modern market-aligned skills (NSQF compliant). |
| Leadership & Entrepreneurship | Intensive training modules for youth and women; fostering individual or group enterprises. |
| Education | Bridge programs for school dropouts to attain formal academic certification. |
| Infrastructure | Developed through convergence with the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) to support artisanal hubs. |
Eligibility and Reservations
To ensure equitable reach, the scheme incorporates specific reservation quotas for marginalized segments:
- Women: 33% of seats in Skilling/Training; 50% in Education; 100% in the Leadership & Entrepreneurship component.
- Persons with Disabilities (PwDs): 3% reservation across all components.
Implementation Strategy
- Central Sector Model: As a Central Sector Scheme, funding is managed directly by the central government, with no allocation to State budgets.
- Targeted Outreach: Projects are implemented by Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) selected based on strict criteria.
- Market Alignment: Integration with the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) helps provide market linkages for artisans.
- Digital Integration: The scheme promotes digital and blended learning models to increase reach and transparency.
- Monitoring: The Ministry utilizes robust monitoring frameworks and MoUs with implementing agencies to ensure that placement targets (at least 75% for non-traditional skilling) are met.
Trivia and Quick Facts
- Meaning: “Virasat” means heritage, and “Samvardhan” refers to preservation or development.
- Rollout: The scheme guidelines were approved in January 2025, with implementation commencing immediately thereafter.
- Stipend Provisions: The scheme provides monthly stipends to beneficiaries, varying by the type of training (Traditional vs. Non-traditional) and mode (residential vs. non-residential).
- Support System: Beneficiaries receive support from the National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC) for credit linkages to start their own ventures.