A total of 1,87,305 candidates were trained and 96,162 placed under the Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) scheme between 2020–21 and 2023–24, the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment said on Thursday.
In a factual report, the department said the scheme was subsumed under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship’s Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) from 2024–25 to avoid duplication, as its training job roles were already covered under PMKVY.
Launched in 2020–21, PM-DAKSH provided skill training to Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, Economically Weaker Sections, De-notified Tribes and sanitation workers, including waste pickers. It aimed to promote self-employment and wage employment for their socio-economic development.
The department reported expenditure of ₹309.5 crore to date against total funds allotted of ₹276.47 crore for 2020–21 to 2023–24.
The scheme was implemented through the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation, the National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation and the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation.
These corporations reimbursed training costs to empanelled institutes in accordance with scheme guidelines and work orders. Institutes were required to facilitate wage employment or self-employment for at least 70 per cent of trained candidates. Failure to meet this requirement resulted in forfeiture of the third instalment, equivalent to 30 per cent of the training cost.
Training institutes were also required to collaborate with relevant industries to facilitate employment opportunities. The three corporations provided loans and assistance to eligible beneficiaries seeking to establish their own enterprises.
According to the department, an evaluation found that more than 90 per cent of beneficiaries reported that the training aligned with their career goals and local labour market needs and achieved its intended learning outcomes.
The study also recorded improvements in confidence, self-esteem and social recognition, particularly among women and marginalised groups. Most beneficiaries continued to use their acquired skills and expected long-term income growth, the department said.
