Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0- Special Projects

Launched in 2015, with its 4.0 phase being implemented between Financial Year 2022 and Financial Year 2026, the scheme "Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 – Special Projects" by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, aims to meet the skilling needs of marginalized and vulnerable groups, difficult geographies, and specialized training courses that are likely to be offered outside of regular short-term skilling programmes, and can also focus on new-age job roles with future skills. Through this scheme, project-based short-term skilling initiatives — which can be residential or non-residential and may avail certain exemptions granted with the approval of the Executive Committee are provided to marginalised and vulnerable groups and candidates in difficult geographies that require special attention. The scheme is implemented by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), which supports the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), and is delivered on the ground through Special Projects Implementing Agencies (SPIAs). > Objectives of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 - The scheme promotes an enabling ecosystem for the youth to get skilled and choose a career path aligned with their abilities and aspirations. - The scheme enables delivery of skill training in a market-oriented and demand-driven manner, with emphasis on improving the employability of candidates. - The scheme simplifies processes of the skill ecosystem by leveraging technology and digitalisation. - The scheme enhances access to skilling by setting up skill development infrastructure in remote and difficult geographies such as hilly terrain, Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected areas, and border areas, by designing special projects. - The scheme improves inclusivity by ensuring that Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), women, and other marginalised communities can undertake skill training and access gainful wages and self-employment. - The scheme provides an opportunity for lifelong skilling through upskilling and reskilling to address the dynamic needs of the ever-changing market. - The scheme ensures quality training delivery through trained pedagogy, standardised assessments, and industry-relevant curriculum. - The scheme facilitates enhanced employability through training in transferable skills and incentives for employment generation. - The scheme provides candidate-centric training with emphasis on industry-relevant skills.