Sarkari Yojana

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

Quick Summary: PM-DAKSH funds free skill training, stipends, and post-training placement support for SC, OBC, EWS, DNT, and Safai Mitra candidates aged 18-45. Programmes range from short-term wage-oriented courses to entrepreneurship development, all aligned with the National Skill Qualification Framework.

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

Launched by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment in 2020-21, PM-DAKSH sets out to lift up marginalized groups through skill-development programmes. It reaches SCs, OBCs, EWS, DNTs, and Safai Mitras with upskilling, reskilling, short-term training, and entrepreneurship courses, aiming to raise their employability and earning potential. Training follows the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF), and support continues after training to help candidates find employment or set up self-employment.

Scheme Overview

Government Level

Central Government

Ministry

Ministry Of Social Justice and Empowerment

Implementing Agency

Department Of Social Justice & Empowerment With The Help Of Project Management Unit

Eligible Entity

Individual

Launch / Open Date

08 Jul 2021

Scheme Details

Eligibility

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH), applicants must satisfy the following conditions:

Applicants must be Indian nationals and able to prove it.
Applicants must fall between 18 and 45 years of age.
Applicants must belong to one of these groups:

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Scheduled Castes (SC);

Scheduled Castes (SC);

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Other Backward Classes (OBC);

Other Backward Classes (OBC);

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Economically Weaker Sections (EWS);

Economically Weaker Sections (EWS);

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Denotified & Nomadic Tribes (DNT); or

Denotified & Nomadic Tribes (DNT); or

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Safai Mitras (including waste pickers)

Safai Mitras (including waste pickers).
OBC and EWS applicants must have an annual family income under ₹3,00,000/-.
There's no income ceiling for SC, DNT, or Safai Mitra (including waste picker) applicants.
Applicants need a valid Aadhaar card, except where candidates are from States that haven't fully rolled out Aadhaar.
An Aadhaar-linked bank account is required.
Applicants must register on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH). Target Groups:
Up-skilling/Re-skilling under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): open only to Safai Mitras, including waste pickers, who sit at the base of the pyramid.
Short-Term Courses (focus on wage/self-employment): aimed at the most disempowered SC/OBC/EWS/DNT groups and Sanitation Workers (including waste pickers) and their dependents, who hope to find employment in sectors offering good wages and demand.
Entrepreneurial Development Programmes(EDP): for SC, EWS, OBC, and DNT youth with an entrepreneurial mindset. Note:
Attendance:

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AEBAS-based biometric attendance is mandatory for both assessors…

AEBAS-based biometric attendance is mandatory for both assessors and candidates during assessment.

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Candidates must maintain over 70% biometric attendance in…

Candidates must maintain over 70% biometric attendance in all training types to sit for the assessment.
On the Job Training (OJT):

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Establishments hosting OJT issue a certificate at the…

Establishments hosting OJT issue a certificate at the end, stating the trainee's duration and attendance.

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It falls on the Training Provider to see…

It falls on the Training Provider to see that candidates maintain attendance.

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Final assessment happens after OJT is completed, and…

Final assessment happens after OJT is completed, and the Training Provider is responsible for ensuring every eligible candidate is present for it.

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Where OJT facilities aren't available in a district,…

Where OJT facilities aren't available in a district, PAC may grant special exemptions, letting candidates take up project work instead.

Applicants must meet all of the above conditions to be considered eligible for this scheme.
Benefits

Benefits Provided

Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) provides the following benefits to eligible applicants:

Key benefits:

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Training costs nothing for trainees, being fully grant-funded…

Training costs nothing for trainees, being fully grant-funded by the Government.

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Trainees receive a stipend throughout the training period

Trainees receive a stipend throughout the training period.

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Once training and assessment are successfully completed, candidates…

Once training and assessment are successfully completed, candidates get certification.

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After certification, candidates are placed in jobs

After certification, candidates are placed in jobs. Category of Skilling Programmes: 1. Up-skilling/Re-skilling under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

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Target Group:

This category is open only to Safai Mitras, including waste pickers, who sit at the bottom of the pyramid.
Curriculum: For Safai Mitras including waste pickers, the syllabus covers safe and healthy sanitation practices and occupational practices under approved Qualification Packs (QPs), with certification following the standard process.
Period of Training: Training runs for roughly 35 hours, chosen to fit around trainees' work hours.
Training Cost: Costs stay within the Common Cost Norms (CCN) set from time to time by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
Other Expenses: Since trainees are already working, Safai Mitras including waste pickers are paid ₹500/- per head as a stipend for the duration of RPL up-skilling/re-skilling, to offset wages lost during training. 2. Short-Term Courses (focus on wage/self-employment):

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Target Group:

the most disempowered among SC/OBC/EWS/DNT groups, plus Sanitation Workers including waste pickers and their dependents, who aspire to jobs in sectors with strong demand and decent wages.
Curriculum: Training follows the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF)/National Occupational Standard (NOS) set by MSDE across job roles geared toward wage and self-employment — such as tailoring, furniture-making, food processing, carpet weaving, beauty services, leatherwork, latex harvesting, and tyre fitting — alongside financial and digital literacy, delivered through accredited and affiliated training centres.
Period of Training: Courses run under 1,200 hours, per National Occupational Standards (NOS) and Qualification Packs (QPs).
Training Cost: Costs follow Common Cost Norms for NSQF job roles, or whatever the relevant board stipulates as amended from time to time.
Other Expenses: 1. In non-residential programmes, trainees receive a monthly stipend of ₹1,500/- for SC candidates, ₹1,000/- for OBC/EWS/DNT candidates, and ₹1,500/- for Sanitation Workers (including waste pickers) and their dependents. 1. In residential programmes, where needed, trainees get boarding and lodging with costs met within the CCN for the entire training period; no separate stipend applies, except for Safai Mitras, waste pickers, and their dependents, who receive ₹500/- per month. 3. Entrepreneurial Development Programmes (EDP):

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Implementing Agency:

The Ministry will engage the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), or another body such as the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) under MSDE, to run EDP training.

Benefit amounts and conditions may vary by category — refer to the official scheme guidelines for exact figures applicable to your case.
Documents Required

Documents Required

Applicants should keep the following documents ready before starting the application:

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Identity proof, i.e., Aadhaar Card

Identity proof, i.e., Aadhaar Card.

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Passport-size photograph

Passport-size photograph.

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Caste/community certificate

Caste/community certificate.

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Income certificate, where applicable

Income certificate, where applicable.

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Age proof

Age proof.

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Residence proof

Residence proof.

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Educational qualification certificates

Educational qualification certificates.

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Occupation certificate, for Safai Mitras including waste pickers

Occupation certificate, for Safai Mitras including waste pickers.

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Bank account details/passbook (Aadhaar-linked account)

Bank account details/passbook (Aadhaar-linked account).

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Any other document required

Any other document required.

Ensure all documents are valid and, where required, duly attested before submitting your application.
Important Dates

2021-07-08

How to Apply

Online Application

Applicants can apply for Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) through the online application process outlined below.

Application Portal: Open Application Portal ↗

1️⃣

Go to the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH)…

Go to the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) website and select "Register" from the top-right corner.

2️⃣

On the next page, choose "Learner/Participant"

On the next page, choose "Learner/Participant".

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Key in your mobile number and select "Continue"

Key in your mobile number and select "Continue".

4️⃣

Verify the OTP and set up a password

Verify the OTP and set up a password.

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After logging in, complete e-KYC to finish validating…

After logging in, complete e-KYC to finish validating your profile and registration.

Ensure all required documents are ready before starting the application process.

Official Application & Website

Verify the latest eligibility, dates and instructions before applying.

Official Sources & References