Employment generation has been the central focus of governance under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Over the last 11 years, India has shifted away from ad-hoc job creation to a structured ecosystem that fosters entrepreneurship, skilling, and formalisation of workforce by focusing on inclusion, scale, and innovation. The government has reimagined employment as a means to empower individuals with dignity and accelerate national development. Across cities, towns, and villages, India’s employment journey today reflects growing opportunities, rising aspirations, and meaningful transformation.

Reimagining Jobs: From Seekers to Creators

A powerful shift in mindset has been nurtured in India under the leadership of PM Modi, encouraging its citizens to become job creators instead of job seekers. Central to this change has been the rise of the startup ecosystem, which has over 1.60 lakh recognised startups today. These startups have generated more than 17.7 lakh direct jobs – underscoring the impact innovation and entrepreneurship have had on India’s employment landscape. With nearly 50% of start-ups based in Tier II and Tier III cities, job creation is now reaching beyond metros—empowering local talent and fostering entrepreneurship in smaller towns and semi-urban areas.
The Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), implemented by the Ministry of MSME through KVIC, has helped set up new non-farm businesses. The scheme has generated over 33 lakh jobs between 2019 and 2024 across the country.
The PM MUDRA Yojana has been central to this shift. By offering collateral-free credit, the scheme has enabled several people to become entrepreneurs or expand their businesses. Over 52 crore loans have been sanctioned, with 68% going to women. It has given birth to 11 crore new entrepreneurs.

Youth at the Centre of Workforce Transformation

The Modi Government is actively harnessing India’s demographic advantage through flagship skilling initiatives. The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) has trained over 1.6 crore youth since 2015. Under PMKVY 4.0, lakhs of candidates have received training, with the majority of the vocationally trained population employed.

The Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) has provided skills training to rural youth since 2014. Launched in 2020-21, the Pradhan Mantri Dakshta aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH Yojana) has trained candidates from SC, OBC, EWS, and other marginalised communities through 112 training institutes, with a budget of over Rs. 366 crore.

The newly launched Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme (PMIS) aims to enhance industry readiness by offering 1 crore paid internships to Indian youth. This initiative is complemented by the MY Bharat Portal, where job-seeking youth can register to access career support, skilling opportunities, and direct government engagement. Looking ahead, the government is set to train over 4.1 crore individuals by investing more than Rs. 2 lakh crore in upskilling and employment-focused initiatives.

Building a Future-Ready, Formalised Workforce

A key tenet of the Modi government’s employment strategy is the push toward formalisation. In FY25 alone, the EPFO added 1.13 crore new subscribers, highlighting the growing strength of formal job creation across the country.

Launched by PM Modi, Rozgar Melas have led to the distribution of 10.5 lakh appointment letters across 15 editions, speeding up central government recruitment and providing direct access to formal employment.

India’s expanding digital economy has become a key driver of formal employment. With nearly 1.5 crore workers currently engaged in this sector, the country is positioning itself as a rising global hub for digital talent and services.
To boost industrial employment, the budget for the Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme was increased from Rs. 10,000 crore to Rs. 20,000 crore, encouraging companies to hire more and retain workers longer.

Inclusion Driven Growth

PM Modi’s employment generation strategy has accorded utmost primacy to inclusivity. By prioritising support for women, youth, and traditionally marginalised groups, the government has ensured that nobody is deprived of employment opportunities.
PM MUDRA Yojana has played a key role in advancing inclusive job creation. By disbursing 68% of its loans to women and 51% to SC, ST, and OBC beneficiaries, the scheme has enabled marginalised groups to launch small businesses and improve their incomes.

In addition to MUDRA, the SEED Scheme has supported the formation of 3,500 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across 8 states. The PM Vishwakarma Yojana is helping artisans and craftspeople access credit and skill development support, with over 2.6 crore applications received so far.

These initiatives introduced under the leadership of PM Modi are empowering individuals, families, and communities to become self-reliant and contribute meaningfully to the growth of the nation.

A Decade and Beyond of Delivery

Over the last 11 years, PM Modi’s leadership has reshaped the creation of opportunities and enhancement of access. Formal jobs, self-employment, skill development, and digital inclusion have redefined India’s employment landscape. The scale, inclusion, and continuity of effort have instilled confidence in India’s youth, women, and entrepreneurs.

PM Modi’s vision of an employment-rich, self-reliant India with equal opportunity for all is steadily taking shape. This vision continues to guide the country’s journey toward becoming a Viksit Bharat.