In a major step toward advancing women-led development under the Viksit Bharat@2047 vision, the central government is set to launch NAVYA – Nurturing Aspirations through Vocational Training for Young Adolescent Girls today in Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh. The initiative marks a joint pilot programme by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), aimed at empowering adolescent girls through targeted vocational training.
The launch ceremony will be attended by Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and Savitri Thakur, Minister of State for Women and Child Development. NAVYA aims to empower adolescent girls aged 16 to 18 years, who have completed at least Class 10, by providing them with vocational training—particularly in non-traditional job roles—opening up pathways to participate in emerging sectors of the economy.
The pilot programme will initially be implemented across 27 districts in 19 states, with a focus on aspirational districts and those in the North-Eastern region. This strategic rollout underscores the government’s commitment to inclusive development and reaching underserved and vulnerable populations.
As part of the initiative, both ministries will formalize a framework for institutional convergence, aligning efforts to deliver integrated skill training to adolescent girls. NAVYA will draw on the strengths of established national schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), to ensure the delivery of high-quality vocational education.
The launch event will feature interactions with participating girl trainees and the distribution of certificates under PMKVY and the PM Vishwakarma scheme. The programme aims not only to enhance employability but also to instill confidence and ambition among young girls, enabling them to play a vital role in shaping India’s socio-economic future.