Overview
PM-DAKSH (Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalata Sampanna Hitgrahi) Yojana is a Central Sector Scheme launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in 2020-21 to enhance the competency of marginalised communities for self-employment and wage-employment through skill development training. The scheme targets youth aged 18-45 years belonging to Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Economically Backward Classes (EBCs), Denotified/Nomadic/Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs), Safai Karamcharis, and Waste Pickers.
With a total budget outlay of ₹450.25 crore for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26, the scheme aims to skill approximately 2,71,000 persons. As of August 2025, a total of 1,87,305 individuals have been trained, of whom 73,102 (39%) have been placed in employment or self-employment. The scheme is implemented through three PSUs of the Ministry.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Central Sector Scheme |
| Ministry | Social Justice and Empowerment |
| Launched | 2020-21 |
| Budget | ₹450.25 crore (5 years) |
| Target | 2,71,000 persons (2021-22 to 2025-26) |
| Trained (Aug 2025) | 1,87,305 persons |
| Placed (Aug 2025) | 73,102 (39% placement rate) |
| Age Group | 18-45 years |
Eligibility Criteria
| Category | Income Limit |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Castes (SCs) | No income limit |
| Safai Karamcharis / Waste Pickers | No income limit |
| DNTs | No income limit |
| OBCs | Below ₹3 lakh per annum |
| EBCs | Below ₹1 lakh per annum |
Training Programmes
1. Upskilling/Reskilling (5-35 days)
- Short-duration programmes to upgrade existing skills
- Focus on specific trades and occupations
- For workers already in employment seeking skill upgradation
2. Short-Term Training (Up to 3 months)
- Sector-specific skill development courses
- Aligned with National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF)
- Includes classroom training and on-the-job training
- Assessment and certification by Sector Skill Councils
3. Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) (Up to 15 days)
- For aspiring entrepreneurs from target communities
- Covers business planning, financial literacy, marketing, and digital skills
- Includes mentorship and handholding support
- Links trainees with banks and financial institutions for credit
4. Long-Term Training (Up to 7 months)
- Comprehensive skill development courses
- For occupations requiring extended training
- Includes both theoretical and practical components
- Higher placement probability due to in-depth training
Financial Support to Trainees
- Stipend for SC/Safai Karamcharis/Waste Pickers: ₹1,500 per month (non-residential training)
- Stipend for OBCs/EBCs/DNTs: ₹1,000 per month (non-residential training)
- Wage compensation for employed persons attending upskilling courses
- Free training — no fees charged to beneficiaries
- All costs borne by the Government including training materials, assessment fees, and certification
Implementing Agencies
The scheme is implemented through three Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) of the Ministry:
- National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC) — for SC beneficiaries
- National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) — for OBC/EBC beneficiaries
- National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) — for Safai Karamcharis, Waste Pickers, and DNTs
Training is delivered through empanelled Training Service Providers (TSPs) who are required to provide wage/self-employment to at least 70% of trained candidates.
Latest Developments
- August 2025: 1,87,305 persons trained; 73,102 (39%) placed in employment or self-employment
- Budget 2025-26: ₹130 crore earmarked for the financial year
- Lok Sabha review: Less than half of trained candidates successfully placed — raised concerns about effectiveness of post-training employment linkages
- National Action Plan aims to skill 1,69,300 persons in the remaining period
- PM-DAKSH portal (pmdaksh.dosje.gov.in) provides online registration, course listing, and progress tracking
- Convergence with NAMASTE: Safai Karamcharis trained under PM-DAKSH linked with NAMASTE scheme for capital subsidy and mechanised equipment
Prelims Importance
- PM-DAKSH stands for Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalata Sampanna Hitgrahi Yojana
- Central Sector Scheme under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
- Launched in 2020-21
- Target: 2,71,000 persons over 5 years (2021-22 to 2025-26)
- Budget: ₹450.25 crore (5 years)
- Age group: 18-45 years
- No income limit for SCs, Safai Karamcharis, DNTs; ₹3 lakh for OBCs; ₹1 lakh for EBCs
- Implemented through 3 PSUs: NSFDC, NBCFDC, NSKFDC
- TSPs required to place at least 70% of trainees
- 4 training types: Upskilling (5-35 days), Short-term (3 months), EDP (15 days), Long-term (7 months)
Mains and Interview Importance
GS Paper 2 — Social Justice, Welfare, Skill Development:
- Critically evaluate the PM-DAKSH scheme in terms of achieving its placement targets. With only 39% placement against a 70% target, what systemic issues hamper employment outcomes in skill development schemes?
- Compare PM-DAKSH with other skill development schemes like PMKVY and DDU-GKY. How does targeting by social category (SC/OBC/DNT) differ from targeting by geography or sector?
- Discuss the convergence potential between PM-DAKSH (skill training) and NAMASTE (mechanised sanitation) for Safai Karamcharis. Can skill training alone transform the livelihoods of manual scavengers?
Interview Angle:
“PM-DAKSH has trained nearly 1.9 lakh persons but placement is only 39% against a 70% target. What would you do differently to improve employment outcomes for marginalised trainees?”
Sources: MoSJE Official, PIB, PM-DAKSH Portal