PM VIKAS Yojana: Skill Development & Entrepreneurship for Minorities
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Economy
Why in news
The Ministry of Minority Affairs reviewed the implementation of PM VIKAS Yojana, highlighting its progress and challenges. The scheme aims to enhance skill development and entrepreneurship among minority communities, with 80,918 candidates enrolled across states as per a Rajya Sabha reply by Minister Kiren Rijiju on July 22, 2026.
Background
PM VIKAS (Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan) Yojana is a central sector scheme for the skill development and entrepreneurship of minority communities. Its guidelines were approved in January 2025, replacing earlier schemes like Seekho Aur Kamao, USTTAD, and Nai Manzil.
Key facts
PM VIKAS Yojana has three components: Skill & Training, Women Leadership & Entrepreneurship, and Education.
The scheme is implemented through 59 Project Implementation Agencies (PIAs).
Total enrolled candidates as per the data: 80,918 across states/UTs.
Top enrolling states: Uttar Pradesh (17,634), Assam (14,521), Punjab (8,349), Jammu & Kashmir (7,491), Jharkhand (5,593).
The scheme focuses on strengthening industry linkages, apprenticeships, on-the-job training, verified placements, and aligning training with emerging skills.
It provides career counseling, entrepreneurship development training, mentorship through business mentors/entrepreneur friends.
Credit linkages with National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC) for subsidized finance for self-employment.
Regular review meetings are held with PIAs, NSDC, awarding bodies, and stakeholders.
Areas needing strengthening: apprenticeships, OJT, verified placements, and alignment with future skill needs.
Prelims pointers
- PM VIKAS Yojana: Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan Yojana
- Ministry: Ministry of Minority Affairs
- Components: Skill & Training, Women Leadership & Entrepreneurship, Education
- Implementing agencies: 59 PIAs, NSDC
- Credit linkage: NMDFC (National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation)
- Guidelines approved: January 2025
- Total enrolled: 80,918 (as per Rajya Sabha reply July 2026)
- Top state: Uttar Pradesh (17,634)
- Replaces: Seekho Aur Kamao, USTTAD, Nai Manzil
Mains angles
- GS2: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections – minority communities; role of government in skill development.
- GS3: Skill development and employment; entrepreneurship; role of credit linkages in promoting self-employment.
- GS1: Social empowerment of minorities; issues of inclusion and economic upliftment.