The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) is implementing the flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) since 2015. Under PMKVY 4.0 (implemented since FY 2022-23), MSDE redesigned the course portfolio toward emerging and new-age job roles and reports employment and income improvements through outcome-oriented training features.
What happened: PMKVY 4.0 course redesign for new-age skills
Under PMKVY 4.0, MSDE expanded the training focus to new-age and futuristic courses based on industry requirements. The ministry introduced 600+ new-age and futuristic courses covering sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, electronics, green energy, electric vehicles, drones, cybersecurity, and robotics.
As on 30.06.2026, MSDE reported that around 5.44 lakh candidates have been trained in new-age and futuristic job roles under PMKVY 4.0 across India. The scheme includes training through Short-Term Training (STT) and up-skilling and re-skilling through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
Background and earlier position: focus on STT placements in earlier PMKVY versions
Earlier PMKVY versions (PMKVY 1.0 to 3.0, FY 2015-16 to FY 2021-22) tracked placements in the STT component. In STT, 56.89 lakh candidates were certified, and 24.37 lakh were reported placed, which corresponds to an overall placement rate of 42.8% (as reported by MSDE).
Related current affairs
- MSDE/Skill India: Training for AI and other emerging technologies under PMKVY 4.0, CTS/ITIs and related initiatives
- New-Age Skills Focus under PMKVY 4.0: Training Numbers and Funds Released
- Review of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) and reforms toward demand-driven, outcome-based skilling
- MSDE/NCVET, DGT expand AI-based vocational training under PMKVY 4.0 and NCVET ecosystem
- Strengthening Skill Development Ecosystem
- Skill India Mission: MSDE skilling programmes, outcomes and impact evaluations