The government’s decision to merge the PM-DAKSH Scheme with the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) from 2024–25 signals a shift towards consolidation in India’s skill development architecture. The move, disclosed in Parliament, highlights both the evolution of targeted welfare schemes and the effort to streamline delivery for vulnerable social groups.
What is the PM-DAKSH Scheme?
PM-DAKSH (Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi) is a Central Sector Scheme launched in 2020–21 with the objective of providing skill development training to socially and economically disadvantaged groups. These include Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Economically Weaker Sections (EWSs), Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs), Safai Karamcharis, and waste pickers.
Unlike standalone training programmes, PM-DAKSH was designed to leverage the existing ecosystem of the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana by utilising PMKVY-empanelled training institutes under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
Institutional framework and implementing agencies
The scheme is implemented through three key development finance corporations under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment:
- National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC)
- National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC)
- National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC)
These agencies coordinate with PMKVY-approved training centres to deliver skill programmes tailored to the needs of specific beneficiary groups.
How training slots are sanctioned
Under PM-DAKSH, training institutes were invited to submit proposals for conducting skill development programmes for the identified target groups. Sanctioning of training slots depended on:
- Annual targets allocated under the scheme
- Demand and quality of proposals received from empanelled institutes
This demand-driven approach sought to balance inclusiveness with operational feasibility, ensuring that training capacity aligned with local requirements.
Evidence from implementation: Andhra Pradesh snapshot
District-wise data on the number of candidates trained in Andhra Pradesh under NSFDC, NBCFDC, and NSKFDC have been compiled separately, reflecting decentralised implementation and monitoring. Such disaggregated data is crucial for assessing regional outreach, identifying gaps, and fine-tuning future skill interventions for marginalised communities.
Why merge PM-DAKSH with PMKVY?
From 2024–25 onwards, the government has decided to merge PM-DAKSH with PMKVY. This step reflects broader policy thinking around:
- Reducing fragmentation among skill development schemes
- Improving administrative efficiency and cost-effectiveness
- Mainstreaming marginalised groups into the national skilling framework rather than operating parallel programmes
The merger also aligns with the emphasis on outcome-based skilling, certification, and placement under PMKVY.
Broader implications for social justice and skilling
While integration can enhance scale and efficiency, it also raises questions about whether the distinct needs of highly vulnerable groups—such as Safai Karamcharis and DNTs—will continue to receive focused attention. The success of the merger will depend on safeguards within PMKVY to ensure targeted outreach, customised curricula, and adequate handholding for beneficiaries facing structural disadvantages.
What to note for Prelims?
- PM-DAKSH launched in 2020–21 as a Central Sector Scheme.
- Targets SCs, OBCs, EWSs, DNTs, Safai Karamcharis, and waste pickers.
- Implemented through NSFDC, NBCFDC, and NSKFDC.
- Training delivered via PMKVY-empanelled institutes.
- To be merged with PMKVY from 2024–25.
What to note for Mains?
- Role of skill development in social justice and empowerment.
- Advantages and risks of merging targeted welfare schemes with universal programmes.
- Institutional coordination between MSDE and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
- Need for inclusive skilling models for historically marginalised occupations.
- Importance of monitoring outcomes beyond enrolment numbers.
