Establishment of Skill Centers in Tribal Areas: Key Initiatives
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Schemes
Why in news
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship informed about the establishment of skill centers in tribal areas, including 30 Tribal Skill Centers under DAJGUA and 1,200 skill labs in JNVs and EMRs. This highlights the government's focus on skilling tribal youth and enhancing vocational education in remote areas.
Background
The government has been implementing various schemes for tribal development, such as PM Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) through TRIFED, which sets up Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) for value addition and marketing of forest produce. Additionally, the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0 provides short-term training and recognition of prior learning in aspirational districts.
Key facts
Ministry of Tribal Affairs implements PM Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) through TRIFED to promote livelihoods and entrepreneurship among tribals via value addition, branding, and marketing of minor forest produce and local agricultural products.
Under PMJVM, 4,172 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) have been approved across India with 12,48,067 members enrolled.
In Dahod, Gujarat, 20 VDVKs have been approved benefiting 5,900 beneficiaries.
Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) and PM-JANMAN are flagship campaigns for holistic development of tribal areas.
Under DAJGUA, 30 Tribal Skill Centers (TSCs) have been established in 30 tribal districts across 15 states through convergence with Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS).
Ministry of Skill Development implemented a project to set up 1,200 skill labs in 400 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) and 200 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), with 2 teachers per school trained.
PMKVY 4.0 provides short-term training (STT) and recognition of prior learning (RPL) in 111 aspirational districts including Dahod, Gujarat.
In Dahod Lok Sabha constituency, 2,351 candidates were trained/oriented under PMKVY 4.0 as of 30.06.2026.
As of 30.06.2026, six training centers have been recognized/affiliated in Dahod district under PMKVY 4.0 for job roles like Farmer Drone Operator, Bridal/Fashion/Portfolio Makeup Artist, Electronics Machine Maintenance Executive, and Traditional Tribal Skills.
Skill Hubs initiative uses infrastructure in academic institutions to provide skill training.
Prelims pointers
- PM Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM)
- TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India)
- Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK)
- Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA)
- PM-JANMAN (Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyay Maha Abhiyan)
- Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS)
- Tribal Skill Center (TSC)
- Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0
- National Skill Development Fund (NSDF)
- Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS)
Mains angles
- Discuss the role of skill development in empowering tribal communities and its impact on livelihood generation.
- Critically examine the convergence of various government schemes for tribal development and their effectiveness.
- Evaluate the significance of vocational education in tribal areas and the challenges in its implementation.