PM-DAKSH Yojana is a Central Sector Scheme launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India in 2020-21.
The main purpose of the scheme is to increase the skill levels of youths belonging to the SCs, OBCs, EBCs, DNTs, Safai karamcharis, and Waste picker communities (target group) by providing for long-term and short-term skills, followed by settlement in employment and self-employment.
Most of the persons of the target group are having minimal economic assets; therefore, the provision of training and enhancing their competencies are essential for the economic empowerment and upliftment of these marginalized target groups.
Implementation of PM-DAKSH Scheme
The scheme is to be implemented through three Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), of the Ministry, i.e. National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC), and National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC).
PM-DAKSH Portal
PM-DAKSH portal offers online registration for free of cost Skill Development Training Programmes.
The scheme has been made trainee centric providing the facilities for-
- Online registration
- Selection of job roles
- Selection of training institutes and
- Place of training to trainees in the PM-DAKSH portal.
The number of trained candidates who benefited from the said yojana are provided placement after assessment and certification.
Most of the persons of the target group are having minimal economic assets; therefore, the provision of training and enhancing their competencies are essential for the economic empowerment and upliftment of these marginalized target groups.
Budgetary Outlays for PM-DAKSH Scheme
The Union Government has approved the continuation of this scheme with a target to skill around 2,71,000 SC, OBC, EBC, DNT persons, Safai Karamcharis and Waste Pickers during the next five years (2021-22 to 2025-26) with a budget outlay of Rs.450.25 crore.
Salient features of PM DAKSH Yojana
The salient features of PM DAKSH Yojana are as follows-
Training Institutions
The training is provided through Government Sector training institutions and reputed institutions enabling them to take up suitable job/self-employment opportunities.
Compliance with Common Norms
Training programs are organized in broad pursuance of Common Norms issued by the Ministry of Skill Development and courses are National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) aligned.
Accordingly, SSCs/TIs providing Skill Development Training Programme (SDTP) under PM-DAKSH Yojana are required to provide wage and self-employment to the trained candidates to the extent of 70%.
Age Criteria
Beneficiaries between the age of 18-45 years are considered for SDTP.
Stipend to the trainees
Stipend @ Rs 1500/- per month/candidate to SCs/Safai Karamcharis/ dependants and @ Rs.1000/- per month/ candidate to OBCs/EBCs/DNTS dependants is provided on attaining 80% & above attendance.
The Corporations, namely National Scheduled Caste Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) & National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) aspire to train 2.71 lakh persons from its target group over the period of 2021-22 to 2025-26, broadly in the following sub-categories:
- Up-skilling/Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
- Short Term Courses
- Entrepreneurial Development Programmes (EDP)
- Long Term Courses
