“In a young country like India, our crores of youth are the biggest strength of this nation.”
- PM Narendra Modi
For any country, its youth plays a vital role in shaping its future. For India, this statement holds greater significance because 65% of its population is under the age of 35, for which reason India is known to be one of the youngest countries in the world. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India is reaching new heights in several fields through the right opportunities being provided to the youth and India’s Yuva Shakti is proving its mettle in India’s transformation.
For PM Narendra Modi, the nation’s youth or the Amrit Peedhi is one of the 4 Amrit Pillars driving the country towards Viksit Bharat. It is the driving force that, when empowered, creates new opportunities for India’s growth. From employment seekers, the youth are becoming employment generators and are thus becoming greater and more vital in contributing to the world’s fastest-growing 5th largest economy. His vision of holistically empowering the youth is clear through several initiatives undertaken by the government that aim to directly benefit the youth.
Kaushal se Kushal Amrit Peedhi
The PM Modi-led government believes in harnessing the power of the youth through the means of skilling. Several schemes are in place for empowering the youth through skill training and experience that proves to be an asset for them in the job market. Several schemes also empower the youth through promoting apprenticeship for gaining practical training and on-ground experience.
Under the flagship Skill India Mission launched in July 2015, several schemes are in place. The PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) is for imparting skill development training through two training components namely the Short-Term Training and upskilling through Recognition of Prior Learning. As of October 2023, over 1.4 crore youth have been trained under the scheme since it was launched in July 2015.
The Jan Shikshan Sansthan Scheme (JSS) skill training is imparted to nonliterate, neo-literates, and persons with rudimentary level of education upto 8th standard and school dropouts upto 12th standard in the age group of 15-45 years in rural and urban areas. Focus is also given on training women and people from vulnerable communities. Since FY 2018-19, over 22.58 lakh persons have been empowered with skill training.
The National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) helps the youth get basic training and on-the-job training / practical training at the workplace in the industry. Over 28 lakh youth have received training through the scheme.
Moreover, 34,468 PMKVY (including Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras) , 309 Jan Shikshan Sansthans, 15,016 ITIs and 42,453 NAPS establishments situated in various states of the country have been involved in imparting skill training.
The Industrial Training Institute ecosystem has experienced significant growth, witnessing the establishment of 5 thousand new ITIs in the country over the past 9 years, resulting in an addition of over 4 lakh new ITI seats.
As part of the Skill India Digital initiative, the eSkill India initiative has empowered over 17 lakh candidates (as of March 2023) by providing top-tier learning materials for the youth.
Additionally, there are special schemes under implementation for the sole reason of empowering minority communities. Some of these skill development schemes are Seekho Aur Kamao, USTTAD and Nai Manzil for the six notified minority communities in which minimum 30% seats were earmarked for females. PM VIKAS i.e. Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan aims to improve the livelihoods of the minorities, particularly the artisan communities, using the components of skill development, education, women leadership & entrepreneurship.
Realising the importance of skill training in education, the National Education Policy also focuses on skill-based learning and gives ample opportunities for promoting vocational training for youth. This provision in the curriculum is helping students learn 21st century skills so that they are empowered to become productive members of society.
The Wave of Job creation
India has witnessed a substantial surge in employment opportunities, with over 1.9 crore youth actively engaged through the National Internship Portal, offering more than 29 lakh internships. Direct indicators of employment generation are noteworthy, including the addition of 4.69 crore new subscribers to the Employee Provident Fund Organisation between 2017 and 2022. The MSME sector has played a pivotal role, employing over 15 crore individuals, with a significant portion, 3.4 crore, representing women. The Khadi Industry has also made a substantial impact, creating over 1.75 crore new jobs from 2014 to 2022, achieving a historic milestone by generating 9.54 lakh new jobs in the current financial year alone. The PM MUDRA Yojana contributed to a net additional employment of 1.12 crore between 2015 and 2018.
Indirect indicators of employment generation are equally impressive, encompassing 2.39 crore employment opportunities through PM Awas Yojana (Urban) till 2020 and the creation of 12,500 indirect jobs by the Indigenous Aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. More such examples include the National Programme on High-Efficiency Solar PV Modules led to the indirect employment of 7.8 lakh people. Additionally, India's digital economy saw the creation of about 6.24 crore jobs between 2014 and 2019. The tourism sector contributed significantly, generating 1.9 crore indirect jobs from 2017 to 2020.
Government-led initiatives have played a pivotal role in fostering employment. PMKVY facilitated the placement of over 24.51 lakh candidates, while the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) led to job placements for over 9.39 lakh candidates. Additionally, Van Dhan Vikas Kendras created over 9.63 lakh job opportunities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's personal engagement in employment events, such as Rozgar Mela, resulted in the issuance of 7 lakh new appointment letters between October 2022 and November 2023. Empowering women entrepreneurs, the Stand-Up India scheme has facilitated the creation of more than 1.80 lakh new job-creators and entrepreneurs from 2015 to April 2023, contributing to a diverse and dynamic employment landscape in the country.
Fuelling Entrepreneurship
The entrepreneurial landscape in India has witnessed a remarkable transformation under the leadership of PM Modi, who recognises the potential of the country's youth as the driving force behind innovation and growth.
The startup ecosystem has flourished, with India now hosting over 1.15 lakh registered startups, showcasing a staggering increase from 350 in 2014. Government initiatives such as Startup India and Stand-Up India have played a pivotal role, resulting in the emergence of over 100 unicorns, with 52% hailing from tier 2 and tier 3 cities. These startups contribute significantly to the economy, generating over 10.34 lakh direct jobs and fostering employment in sectors like e-commerce, Fintech, Edtech, and health tech.
Innovation is thriving across 56 diverse sectors, encouraged by platforms like the 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs in schools, and the nation has seen a surge in patents granted. The government's commitment to inclusivity is evident in its support for women-led startups, with financial allocations and programs specifically tailored to encourage their growth. With a comprehensive approach, including regulatory reforms, credit guarantees, and global connectivity initiatives, India stands as a dynamic hub for startups, embodying a spirit of innovation, entrepreneurship, and global competitiveness. India has secured the 40th position in the Global Innovation Index- a testament to the rising spirit of innovation especially among the youth!
In conclusion, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's youth, referred to as the Amrit Peedhi, has emerged as a powerful force driving the nation's progress. Through skill development initiatives, job creation endeavours, and a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, the government has successfully harnessed the potential of the youth. From fostering innovation to creating millions of employment opportunities, the multifaceted approach outlined in this article showcases India's commitment to empowering its youth and building a robust future. The nation's strides in entrepreneurship, job creation, and global innovation rankings highlight the transformative journey toward a Viksit Bharat led by the dynamic energy of its youth.
