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Skills & Employment

Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH)

The scheme "PM-DAKSH", launched by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJ&E), aims to empower socially, educationally, and economically marginalized groups like SCs, OBCs, EWS, DNTs, Safai Mitras, and Waste Pickers by enhancing their skills through high-quality training.

Authority

Central

Region

Central Government

Status

Verified 2026

Updated

March 2026

What you get

Key benefits: | - Training free of cost for the trainees, 100% grants by Government. | - Stipend will be given to trainees during the period of training. | - Trained candidates will be provided certification after successful completion of training and assessment. | - Trained candidates will be provided placement after assessment and certification. | Category of Skilling Programmes: | - Up-skilling/Re-skilling under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): | - Target Group: Up-skilling / Re-skilling under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will only be applicable to SafaiMitras including waster pickers who constitute the bottom of the pyramid. - Curriculum: In respect of Safai Mitras including waste pickers, the curriculum will include the programmes on safe & healthy sanitation practices, occupational practices as per relevant and approved Qualification Packs (QPs). Certification would be aligned with the standard process. - Period of Training: The duration of the training programmes will be of approximately 35 hours keeping in mind the occupational hours of the trainees. - Training Cost: The training cost will be limited to extent of Common Cost Norms (CCN) issued by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) as applicable from time to time. - Other Expenses: As the trainees are already employed, they will be paid @₹500/- per person to Safai Mitras including Waste Pickers in the form of stipend, for duration of training of Up-skilling and Re-skilling under RPL, towards compensation of their wage loss, during the period of training. | - Short-Term Courses (focus on wage/self-employment): | - Target Group: Most disempowered groups belonging to SC/OBC/EWS/DNT and Sanitation Workers including Waste Pickers and their dependents having aspirations to be employed in sectors having good demand in job market with suitable wage. - Curriculum: The Curriculum of the training programmes will be as per National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF)/National Occupational Standard (NOS), issued by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India in various job roles with focus on wage and self-employment opportunities such as self-employed tailors training, furniture making, food processing, carpet weaving, beautician workers, leather work, latex harvesting, tyre fitting along with financial and digital literacy, etc. Training to be delivered through accredited and affiliated training centres. - Period of Training: The duration of the training programmes will be less than 1200 hours, as stipulated in National Occupational Standards (NOS) and Qualification Packs (QPs). - Training Cost: The training cost will be as per Common Cost Norms for NSQF job roles or as stipulated by concerned board as applicable and as amended from time to time. - Other Expenses: | - For non-residential training programmes, the trainees will be paid stipend @ ₹1,500/- per month for SC candidates, ₹1,000/- per month to OBCs/EWSs/DNTs and ₹1,500/- per month to Sanitation Workers including waste pickers and their dependents. 1. For residential training programmes, wherever necessary, the trainees will be provided boarding and lodging and expenses compensated within CCN, for complete duration of the training programmes. No stipend will be separately payable except in case of Safai Mitras, Waste Pickers & their dependents who will be paid ₹500/- per month. | - Entrepreneurial Development Programmes (EDP): | - Implementing Agency: Ministry will approach National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) or any other organisation viz Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) under Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship for conducting EDP training.

Who can apply

Applicant must be an Indian national with valid proof of nationality.; Applicant must be aged between 18 and 45 years.; Applicant must belong to one of the following groups:; Applicant from OBC or EWS must have an annual family income below ₹3,00,000/- .; Applicant from SC, DNT, or Safai Mitras (including Waste Pickers) has no income limit.; Applicant must possess a valid Aadhaar card (exemption for the candidates of such States which have not implemented Aadhaar completely).; Applicant must have an Aadhaar-linked bank account.; Applicant must register on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH).; ***Up-skilling/Re-skilling under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):*** Up-skilling / Re-skilling under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will only be applicable to Safai Mitras including waster pickers who constitute the bottom of the pyramid. - **Short-Term Courses (focus on wage/self-employment):** Most disempowered groups belonging to SC/OBC/EWS/DNT and Sanitation Workers including Waste Pickers and their dependents having aspirations to be employed in sectors having good demand in job market with suitable wage. - **Entrepreneurial Development Programmes(EDP):** SCs, EWSs, OBCs and DNTs youth who are having an entrepreneurial bent of mind.; **Attendance:**; **On the Job Training (OJT):**

Required Paperwork

  • Aadhaar Card
  • PAN Card
  • Income Certificate
  • Residence Proof (Domicile)

Common Questions

What is the main objective of PM-DAKSH Yojana?

The main objective of the PM-DAKSH Yojana is to increase the skill levels of the target youth by providing them short term and long term skills, followed by assistance in wage/self-employment. Besides above, the skill levels of artisans would be enhanced through Upskilling/Reskilling programmes and enable them to increase their incomes within their practicing vocations.

Who is eligible for the PM-DAKSH Yojana?

Eligibility for the PM-DAKSH Yojana includes Indian citizens aged 18-45 years from SC, OBC, EWS, DNT, Safai Mitras, or Waste Pickers groups. OBC and EWS candidates must have a family income below Rs. 3 lakh, while there is no income limit for SC, DNT, or Safai Mitras/Waste Pickers.

Who is the appropriate authority to issue Occupation Certificate for a Safai Karamachari or their dependants?

Local Revenue Officer/Local Municipal Officer/Cantonment Executive Officer/ Railway Officer, Head of the Govt. Departments (i.e. Schools, Colleges, Forest, Health, Education, Animal Husbandry) having rank not less than Gazetted Officer, Elected Members of Municipal Body, Pradhan of Gram Panchayats and Regional Managers of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)/Public Sector Banks (PSBs).

What is the age criterion for Skill Development Training Programmes under PM-DAKSH Yojana?

Persons between the ages of 18-45 years are eligible for undergoing skill development training programs under PM-DAKSH Yojana.

What types of Skill Development Training Programmes are available under PM-DAKSH Yojana?

There are following types of skill development training programmes under PM-DAKSH Yojana; (i) Up-skilling/Re-skilling, (ii) Short Term Training Programmes, (iii) Entrepreneurship Development Programmes.

Whether a person can take training more than one time?

No. A person is eligible to undergo training under skill development training programme only once.

Whether a person can participate in More than one Skill Training Programmes simultaneously?

No. A person is allowed to participate only in one skill development training program.

How long is the training period?

The duration of the training varies; upskilling programs are approximately 35 hours, while short-term courses can be up to 1200 hours.

How can one register for the PM-DAKSH Yojana?

Eligible individuals must register on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) for the PM-DAKSH Yojana.

What is the minimum attendance required to be eligible for assessments?

Candidates must have at least 70% attendance to be eligible to appear in the assessments.

Is there a provision for re-assessment?

Yes, every candidate will be offered one chance for re-assessment.

Is there any cost for the re-assessment?

No, the re-assessment is free of cost.