The Ministry of Minority Affairs reviewed the PM VIKAS Scheme and said the scheme is being monitored regularly at multiple levels to improve implementation and address operational issues. The review matters for UPSC because PM VIKAS combines skilling, women leadership and entrepreneurship, and education for minority communities, so it sits at the intersection of social justice and employment policy.

What happened now

Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju informed the Rajya Sabha that the Ministry conducts periodic review meetings with Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs), the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), awarding bodies, and other stakeholders. The Ministry said the PM VIKAS Scheme guidelines were approved in January 2025 and that targets were distributed across 59 Project Implementing Agencies under three components.

The Ministry also released state-wise enrolment data for the scheme. The total enrolment reported was 80,918, with higher enrolments reported in several large states and Union Territories, including Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, and Delhi.

How PM VIKAS is structured

The scheme is meant to deliver industry-aligned skilling through reputed institutions and industry-linked PIAs, support women leadership and entrepreneurship, and provide education-related support.