When Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office in 2014, India faced a daunting challenge: a young and growing population with limited access to systematic skill development and training opportunities. Training centres were scarce and fragmented, industry linkages were not strong, and rural and marginalised youth remained on the periphery. Acknowledging the urgency and huge potential of this opportunity, PM Modi envisioned skill development as a central pillar of national growth. Under his leadership, the Skill India Mission was launched in 2015, setting the country on its way to build a workforce that is confident, capable, and future-ready.

Over these last 11 years, the PM Modi-led government has transformed the skilling ecosystem across the country through targeted schemes, large-scale training infrastructure, and a focus on inclusivity. India’s workforce today stands aligned with the needs of the global economy.

Setting the Foundation Right with Skill India Mission

The Mission was launched to equip the country’s youth with the skills necessary to meet the needs of the emerging job markets. More than 2.27 crore individuals have been trained under the flagship schemes overseen by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship under the Mission. These schemes have provided formal certification, practical training, and exposure to industry needs to individuals across the country. Enhanced employability has been the key outcome of the mission. The government's skill-linked approach has resulted in an increase in enrolment among final-year students, with employability rising from 33.9% in 2014 to 51.3% in 2024.

Skilling for Employment: PMKVY and ITIs

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) is at the heart of India’s skilling framework. Since its inception in 2015, over 1.6 crore youth have been trained under PMKVY. The scheme places an emphasis on job readiness through its short-term training (STT). According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2022-23, the majority of the vocationally trained population is now gainfully employed.

Working in tandem with PMKVY, over 15,000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) are operating across the country. ITIs offer trade-specific courses to youth, helping them gain industry-relevant skills. The PM Modi-led government has upgraded ITIs, introduced dual training models, and linked them with modern industries to ensure that India's technical manpower is skilled for the future.

Reaching Rural India: DDU-GKY and PMGDISHA

Guided by the principle of equitable development, PM Modi has attached great importance to rural skilling. The Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) has specifically targeted the rural poor population between the ages of 15 and 35, focusing on their empowerment through sustainable employment opportunities and skill enhancement. Since 2014, more than 17 lakh candidates, have been trained, with the majority of them gainfully employed.

Bridging the digital divide by enabling digital access and promoting digital livelihoods in villages has been the focal point of government policy over the last decade. To achieve these goals, the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) was launched in 2017 to promote digital literacy in rural India with the aim of reaching 6 crore rural households across the country. Under PMGDISHA, over 6.39 crore rural citizens have received training, of whom 4.78 crore have been certified as digitally literate. The scheme has empowered rural youth to access e-governance, financial services, and even remote employment opportunities.

Empowering the Marginalised: PM-DAKSH Scheme

In accordance with its vision "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas", the Modi government has launched targeted skilling schemes for marginalised communities. The Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH Yojana), launched in 2020-21, aims to improve the competency of Scheduled Castes, OBCs, De-notified Tribes, EWS, and Safai Mitras.

According to the latest available data, 80,185 youth have been trained through 112 empanelled institutes, with a budgetary support of over ₹366 crore. By enabling wage and self-employment, the scheme has contributed to upward socio-economic mobility, providing security and dignity to individuals from disadvantaged groups.

Fostering Innovation: Atal Tinkering Labs

The Modi government launched the Atal Innovation Mission and established Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) in schools across India to foster a mindset of innovation and entrepreneurship among the youth. About 10,000 ATLs have been set up since 2016, introducing over 1.1 crore students to emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, and Internet of Things (IoT). AIM has trained educators and teachers with skills to nurture students with critical thinking and real-life problem-solving skills.

The number of ATLs in the country is set to grow to 50,000 in the next 5 years, equipping the next generation with real-world skills and fostering a culture of innovation.

Making Skilling Aspirational and Outcome-Driven

The government, under the leadership of PM Modi, has changed the way skilling is perceived in the country. It is now looked upon as a foundation for personal and professional success. The government has tinkered with the approach of skill delivery and these reforms include: industry-linked training modules developed in collaboration with sector skill councils, integration of skilling with formal education and higher education institutions, and the use of digital platforms and tracking to monitor outcomes and placements.

Towards a Viksit Bharat

PM Modi’s vision has accorded skill development tremendous primacy over the last 11 years. The government is building an Indian workforce that is skilled, self-dependent, and future-ready through a diverse network of targeted schemes, a digital literacy push, and innovation hubs. The government is set to train over 4.1 crore individuals in the coming years by investing over Rs. 2 lakh crore in upskilling and employment-related initiatives.

Every skilled youth is a step towards a more self-reliant India. The country’s skilling push is not only creating jobs, but is enabling livelihoods and laying the foundation for a Viksit Bharat.