PM VIKAS
Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan
6.3/10PM VIKAS is a Central sector scheme that focuses on socio-economic empowerment of six notified minorities in the country through skilling & training, women leadership & empowerment and education. The scheme integrates erstwhile skilling & education schemes of the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
States / UT: All India
Ministry / nodal: Ministry Of Minority Affairs
Scheme for: Individual
Scheme profile
DBT (direct benefit transfer): No
Categories: Skills & Employment, Social welfare & Empowerment, Education & Learning, Business & Entrepreneurship
Target beneficiaries: Individual, Artists
Tags: Skill Development, Women Entrepeneurship, Education Of School Dropouts, Socio-economic Empowerment, Minorities
Details
The Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Minority Affairs which converges five erstwhile schemes viz. ‘Seekho Aur Kamao’, ‘Nai Manzil’, ‘Nai Roshni’ and ‘USTTAD’ & ‘Hamari Dharohar’ schemes and focuses on socio-economic empowerment of six notified minority communities (Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis) through the following:
i. Skilling and Training (Non-traditional and traditional)
ii. Women Leadership and Entrepreneurship iii. Education (through National Institute of Open Schooling)
iv. Infrastructure Development (through Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram)
Scheme Objectives:
The initiative aims to empower minority communities through targeted skill training, formal education via open schooling, and improved livelihood opportunities. It promotes the preservation cultural heritage and traditional arts and crafts. Women from minority communities are empowered through leadership and entrepreneurship support. Market and credit linkages are provided to enhance employability and enterprise.
Salient Features:
- Aims at holistic development of minority communities through skilling, education, entrepreneurship, and cultural heritage preservation.
- Merges five earlier schemes: Seekho aur Kamao, USTTAD, Hamari Dharohar, Nai Roshni, and Nai Manzil.
- Focuses on traditional and modern skill training, women’s leadership, education for school dropouts, and infrastructure development.
- Special emphasis on women, youth, and persons with disabilities from six notified minority communities.
- Provides financial support, market linkages, and credit access through convergence with other government schemes.
- 100% central funding for training, education, and entrepreneurship; infrastructure support via Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) on a cost-sharing basis.
Target Beneficiaries: - Indian nationals belonging to the six notified minority communities: Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis with following:
a. Minority individuals aged 14–45 years for skilling and education; 18–45 years for women leadership and entrepreneurship.
b. Women beneficiaries: Minimum 33% in skilling, 50% in education, and 100% in women leadership and entrepreneurship component.
c. Persons with Disabilities (PwDs): 3% reservation across all components. - Up to 25% non-minority (EWS) candidates may be included in Traditional Skilling and 15% in other components to promote inter-community solidarity.
Benefits: - Provides skill development in both traditional crafts and modern sectors to enhance employability of minority youth.
- Empowers minority women through leadership and entrepreneurship training, including support to start enterprises.
- Offers bridge education for school dropouts to complete classes 8th, 10th, and 12th via open schooling.
- Facilitates access to credit, market linkages, and e-commerce platforms for artisans and entrepreneurs.
- Promotes preservation and promotion of traditional arts, crafts, and cultural heritage.
- Ensures inclusive development by converging with other government schemes and leveraging existing infrastructure.
Benefits
- 1) Skill training (both traditional and modern). 2) Education support (8th std, 10th std. and 12th std.). 3) Leadership and entrepreneurship support for women. 4) Stipend support to trainees
- Skill training (both traditional and modern).
- Education support (8th std, 10th std. and 12th std.).
- Leadership and entrepreneurship support for women.
- Stipend support to trainees.
Eligibility
- The Age of the applicant should be 14 to 45 years for skilling and education component and 18 to 45 years for Women Leadership and Entrepreneurship Component
- 33% of total seats in Skilling and Training component, 50% of total seats in Education component and 100% of total seats in Women Leadership and Entrepreneurship component are earmarked for women.
- The education qualification for Skilling and Training component would be as per NSQF norms and Education component would be as per NIOS norms. Candidates with aptitude and leadership qualities will be selected for Women Leadership and Entrepreneurship component.
How useful is this scheme?
A practical look at this scheme for citizens
AI-generated insights showing how useful, accessible, and practical this scheme may be — combining deterministic scoring rules with a public-policy LLM analyst.
- Accessibility7.0
- Financial impact5.0
- Rural utility4.0
- Awareness8.5
- Simplicity6.0
- Inclusivity9.0
What problem does this scheme solve?
The scheme aims to empower minority communities through skill development, education, and entrepreneurship.
Key challenges addressed
- Socio-economic empowerment of minority communities
- Skill development and education for school dropouts
- Women leadership and entrepreneurship support
Most beneficial for
- Women from minority communities
- Youth seeking skill development
- Artists and artisans
Likely challenges
- Digital literacy barriers for application
- Awareness of the scheme among target beneficiaries
- Verification and enrollment complexities
Practical insights for citizens
While the scheme has potential, practical implementation may face hurdles in rural areas due to digital and awareness gaps.
Rural challenges
- Limited internet access
- Lack of awareness about the scheme
Digital challenges
- Need for digital literacy to navigate online applications
- Dependence on technology for enrollment
Implementation bottlenecks
- Coordination between various training partners
- Ensuring timely placement of beneficiaries
Awareness challenges
- Low awareness among target beneficiaries about the scheme's existence and benefits
Application analysis
- Application mode
- Online portal
- Documents burden
- Minimal, primarily identity verification
- Verification complexity
- Moderate, requires e-KYC and profile setup
- Office dependency
- Low, primarily online
- DBT dependency
- No direct DBT dependency
- CSC support
- Available through local CSCs
- Estimated citizen effort
- Moderate, requires online navigation and application submission
Estimated beneficiary reach
Benefit analysis
- Benefit type
- Composite, including skill training, education support, and entrepreneurship training
- Benefit frequency
- One-time enrollment with ongoing support
- Benefit practicality
- High, as it addresses immediate skill and education needs
- Financial meaningfulness
- Moderate, with stipends and support enhancing financial viability
- Long-term impact
- Potentially significant, fostering sustainable livelihoods and empowerment
Plain-language guidance
PM VIKAS helps minority communities gain skills and education to improve their livelihoods. Women and youth can benefit from training and support for starting businesses.
- Who should apply
- Individuals from minority communities aged 14-45, especially women and school dropouts.
- Who may struggle
- Those with low digital literacy or limited access to the internet.
- Best application route
- Apply via the SIDH portal or local CSC with Aadhaar.
This intelligence section is generated by an AI policy analyst combined with rule-based scoring. Scores and narrative are estimates derived from the publicly available scheme information shown on this page; actual experience may vary by state, district, and department. Always confirm details on the official portal before you apply.
Application Process
Online
Step 1: Register/Login
Visit the SIDH Portal, register as a Learner/Participant (Candidate) or log in if already registered, and complete e-KYC using your personal details.
Step 02: Profile SetupCreate your account password/PIN, verify your mobile number via OTP, and ensure all profile details (name, date of birth, and contact information) are accurate and updated.
Step 03: Explore Schemes & Courses
- Access your dashboard and search for PM VIKAS and job roles. Use filters such as scheme, mode, and sector to find suitable courses or batches.
Step 04: Show Interest / Apply for a Batch
- Choose a batch for your preferred job role and submit your interest or application. You may select up to five batches, which will be reviewed by the training partner /training centre.
Step 05: Finalise Enrolment & Status
- After approval from the training partner/training centre, accept the invitation through your portal to confirm enrolment. Track your application status under the “Applications” section.
Clarifications
Additional points from the scheme information published on myScheme (not legal advice).
- What are the components supported under the scheme?
i. Skilling and Training (Non-traditional and traditional)
ii. Women Leadership and Entrepreneurship
iii. Education (through National Institute of Open Schooling)
iv. Infrastructure Development (through Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram)
- What are the skills taught under the scheme?
Any of the skills approved by the NSQC and registered under the National Qualification Register (NQR) are eligible to be provided under the scheme.
- Is there any stipend provided under the scheme?
Yes.
Rs.3000/- per month for beneficiaries undertaking traditional skilling, Rs. 2000/- per month for beneficiaries undertaking non-traditional (modern) skilling in non residential mode, Rs. 1000/- per month for beneficiaries undertaking non-traditional (modern) skilling in residential mode (Max 12 months) Rs. 1000/- for beneficiaries enrolled under education component (Max 6 months), Rs. 200/- per day for beneficiaries under women leadership and entrepreneurship component
- Does the scheme involves linking trained and certified candidates in modern skilling with placement opportunities?
Placement of minimum 75% of beneficiaries trained under modern skilling are to be ensured by the implementing agency post completion of training program, with at least 50% of them in organised as categorized in the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF)/ Common Cost Norms (CCN) of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
- Who are eligible for benefiting under the scheme?
Six notified communities under the NCM Act, i.e., Buddhists, Christian, Jains, Muslims, Parsis and Sikhs are eligible for applying under the scheme. However, up to 25% of seats may be earmarked under traditional skilling and up to 15% under other components for non minority EWS category.
- What is the educational qualification required under the scheme?
The educational qualification for Skilling and Training component would be as per National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) norms and Education component would be as per National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) norms. Candidates with aptitude and leadership qualities will be selected for Women Leadership and Entrepreneurship component.
- Are there any seats earmarked for women candidates?
33% in Skilling and Training component, 50% in Education component and 100% in Women Leadership and Entrepreneurship component are reserved for women candidates.
- Are there any seats earmarked for PwD candidates?
3% of the scheme benefits are earmarked for PwD candidates.
- Is there any income criteria?
Up to 25% of seats may be earmarked under traditional skilling and up to 15% under other components for non minority EWS category.
- How to register for PM VIKAS scheme?
Visit the SIDH Portal (https://www.skillindiadigital.gov.in/), register as a Learner/Participant (Candidate) or log in if already registered, and complete e-KYC using your personal details
- How to apply for scheme/courses?
Access your dashboard on SIDH portal to find PM VIKAS scheme and job roles. Use filters such as scheme, mode, and sector to find suitable courses or batches.
- How to apply for a training batch?
Choose a batch for your preferred job role and submit your interest or application. You may select up to five batches, which will be reviewed by the training partner /training centre.
- How to finalize enrolment?
After approval from the training partner / training centre, accept the invitation through your portal to confirm enrolment. Track your application status under the 'Applications' section.
Official links
References
- Guidelines
- https://pmvikas.minorityaffairs.gov.in/uploads/documents/Guidelines-PM-VIKAS.pdf
- Official Website
- https://pmvikas.minorityaffairs.gov.in/
Apply
Apply nowOpens the official application or programme portal in a new tab. If in doubt, confirm details on the ministry site.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the purpose of Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan?
- Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan is a government welfare initiative designed to support Individual, Individual, Artists through benefits related to Skills & Employment, financial assistance, subsidies, social welfare, healthcare, education, or livelihood support.
- Who can apply for Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan?
- Eligibility for Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan may depend on factors such as income category, age, gender, occupation, state of residence, social category, and government-defined beneficiary criteria.
- What benefits are offered under Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan?
- Benefits under Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan may include financial assistance, subsidies, scholarships, insurance support, healthcare benefits, pension support, training assistance, or welfare services depending on the scheme guidelines.
- Which department manages Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan?
- Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan is managed by Ministry Of Minority Affairs and may be implemented through district offices, online portals, CSC centres, banks, or authorised government agencies.
- Can users apply online for Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan?
- Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.
- Is Aadhaar mandatory for Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan?
- Many government schemes may require Aadhaar verification, identity proof, or linked bank account details for beneficiary validation and direct benefit transfer processing.
- Where can users apply for Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan?
- Applications for Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan may be submitted through government departments, official scheme portals, CSC centres, district offices, welfare departments, or authorised service centres.
- What documents may be required for Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan?
- Applicants may need Aadhaar card, income certificate, residence proof, bank account details, caste certificate, photographs, educational records, or occupation-related documents depending on scheme eligibility requirements.
- Is income certificate required for Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan?
- Income certificate requirements may vary depending on beneficiary category, subsidy eligibility, and financial assistance criteria defined under Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan.
- Is Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan a central government scheme?
- Yes, Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan is a central government welfare initiative that may be implemented across multiple states through authorised departments and agencies.
- Can students apply for Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan?
- Eligible students studying in recognised institutions may apply for Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan depending on educational qualification, category, income limit, and academic eligibility.
- Is scholarship amount provided under Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan?
- Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan may provide scholarship assistance, tuition support, educational reimbursement, or financial aid for eligible students.
- Is Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan only for women beneficiaries?
- Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan is primarily intended to support eligible women beneficiaries through welfare assistance, financial support, skill development, healthcare, or social security initiatives.
- Does Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan support self-employment or financial assistance for women?
- Depending on scheme guidelines, Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan may provide loans, subsidies, training support, self-employment assistance, or financial welfare benefits for women.
- Does Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan provide business loan or startup assistance?
- Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan may support entrepreneurs, startups, self-employed individuals, MSMEs, or small businesses through financial assistance, subsidies, credit support, or training initiatives.
- Is collateral required under Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan?
- Collateral requirements may vary depending on the loan amount, implementing agency, financial institution, and government subsidy structure.
- Can CSC centres help users apply for Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan?
- Many government schemes may be accessible through nearby CSC centres, authorised digital service centres, or welfare facilitation offices.
- How can users check the latest updates for Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan?
- Users should verify official notifications, department announcements, application deadlines, and eligibility updates through authorised government portals or implementing agencies.
- Can beneficiaries track application status for Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan?
- Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.
- Where can users get help for Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan in All India?
- Users in All India may seek assistance through CSC centres, district welfare offices, government departments, agriculture offices, social welfare departments, or authorised facilitation centres.
- Which nearby public services may help with Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan applications?
- Depending on the scheme, users may require support from Aadhaar centres, CSC centres, banks, hospitals, post offices, or government welfare offices for document verification and application assistance.