Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan

About Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan

Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) is a Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Minority Affairs that merges five earlier schemes — ‘Seekho Aur Kamao’, ‘Nai Manzil’, ‘Nai Roshni’, ‘USTTAD’, and ‘Hamari Dharohar’ — to drive the socio-economic empowerment of six notified minority communities (Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis) through: i. Skilling and Training (non-traditional and traditional) ii. Women Leadership and Entrepreneurship iii. Education, via the National Institute of Open Schooling iv. Infrastructure Development, via the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram Scheme Objectives: The initiative empowers minority communities through targeted skill training, formal education via open schooling, and stronger livelihood opportunities, while preserving cultural heritage and traditional arts and crafts. Minority women get leadership and entrepreneurship support, and market and credit linkages are built in to boost employability and enterprise. Salient Features: 1) It aims for the holistic development of minority communities through skilling, education, entrepreneurship, and preserving cultural heritage. 2) It merges five earlier schemes: Seekho aur Kamao, USTTAD, Hamari Dharohar, Nai Roshni, and Nai Manzil. 3) It focuses on traditional and modern skill training, women’s leadership, education for school dropouts, and infrastructure development. 4) It gives special emphasis to women, youth, and persons with disabilities from the six notified minority communities. 5) It provides financial support, market linkages, and credit access by converging with other government schemes. 6) Training, education, and entrepreneurship get 100% central funding; infrastructure support comes via the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) on a cost-sharing basis. Target Beneficiaries: 1) Indian nationals from the six notified minority communities — Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis — as follows: a. Minority individuals aged 14–45 years for skilling and education; 18–45 years for women leadership and entrepreneurship. b. Women beneficiaries: a minimum of 33% in skilling, 50% in education, and 100% in the women leadership and entrepreneurship component. c. Persons with Disabilities (PwDs): 3% reservation across every component. 2) Up to 25% non-minority (EWS) candidates may join Traditional Skilling, and up to 15% other components, to encourage inter-community solidarity. Benefits: 1) It builds skills in both traditional crafts and modern sectors, boosting the employability of minority youth. 2) It empowers minority women through leadership and entrepreneurship training, including support for starting enterprises. 3) It offers bridge education so school dropouts can complete classes 8th, 10th, and 12th through open schooling. 4) It opens up access to credit, market linkages, and e-commerce platforms for artisans and entrepreneurs. 5) It works to preserve and promote traditional arts, crafts, and cultural heritage. 6) It ensures inclusive development by converging with other government schemes and using existing infrastructure.