The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment recently reported that 1,87,305 candidates received training and 96,162 were placed under the Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalata Sampanna Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) Yojana between 2020–21 and 2023–24. The scheme seeks to improve employment opportunities for disadvantaged sections through targeted skill development.
About PM-DAKSH Scheme
The PM-DAKSH Yojana is a Central Sector Scheme launched in 2020–21. It aims to provide quality skill training through suitable institutions, enabling beneficiaries from identified social and economically disadvantaged groups to access employment and livelihood opportunities.
Target Group
The scheme covers:
- Scheduled Castes (SCs)
- Other Backward Classes (OBCs)
- Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)
- De-notified Tribes (DNTs)
- Safai Karamcharis and waste pickers
Eligibility
The scheme is available to individuals aged 18 to 45 years.
For OBC and EWS beneficiaries, annual family income must be below ₹3 lakh. There is no income ceiling for SCs, DNTs and Safai Mitras or waste pickers.
Types of Training
PM-DAKSH provides four broad categories of skill development:
- Up-skilling and Re-skilling
- Short-Term Training Programmes
- Long-Term Training Programmes
- Entrepreneurship Development Programmes
The scheme has also been merged with the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
Implementation
PM-DAKSH is implemented through three organisations:
- National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC)
- National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation (NBCFDC)
- National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC)
Nodal Ministry
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is the nodal ministry for PM-DAKSH. Through targeted training and entrepreneurship support, the scheme seeks to improve employability, encourage self-reliance and expand livelihood opportunities among its beneficiary groups.
FAQs-PM-DAKSH Scheme
What is the PM-DAKSH Scheme?
PM-DAKSH stands for Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalata Sampanna Hitgrahi Yojana. It is a Central Sector Scheme launched in 2020–21 to improve employment and livelihood opportunities through skill development.
Who can benefit from the PM-DAKSH Scheme?
The scheme targets Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, Economically Weaker Sections, De-notified Tribes, Safai Karamcharis and waste pickers.
What are the eligibility criteria for PM-DAKSH?
According to the article, applicants must be aged 18–45 years. OBC and EWS beneficiaries must have an annual family income below ₹3 lakh, while no income ceiling applies to SCs, DNTs, Safai Mitras and waste pickers.
What types of training does PM-DAKSH provide?
The scheme provides up-skilling and re-skilling, short-term training, long-term training and entrepreneurship development programmes.
Which ministry and organisations implement PM-DAKSH?
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment oversees the scheme. It is implemented through the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation, National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation, and National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation.
