UDAIPUR, July 28: More than 3.5 million youth have registered under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0, reflecting strong interest in the Government of India’s flagship skill development programme. The scheme offers free training and certification in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), coding, and drones through the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).
The information was shared by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in a written reply to a question raised in the Lok Sabha by Udaipur MP Dr. Mannalal Rawat, who had sought detailed information about the scheme.
Skill India Digital Hub Strengthening Training Ecosystem
The Union Minister said the government has developed the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) as a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for the country’s skill development ecosystem. Launched on September 13, 2023, the platform integrates training, assessment, certification, employment, and entrepreneurship services on a single digital platform.
Over 3.5 Million Registered Under PMKVY 4.0
According to data available on the Skill India Digital Hub, 3,517,023 learners have registered under PMKVY 4.0. In addition, 5,298,397 learners have enrolled under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), 1,019,992 learners under the Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) Scheme, and 496,755 learners under the Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) initiative.
The platform also has 78,647 registered trainers with valid trainer IDs.
Thousands of Training Centres Connected
The minister informed that 13,633 training centres under PMKVY 4.0 (Short-Term Training and Special Projects), 296 training centres under the JSS Scheme, and 13,888 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) have been integrated with the Skill India Digital Hub.
To ensure wider accessibility, the government has adopted an integrated online and offline outreach strategy that includes multilingual awareness campaigns, digital outreach, community mobilisation through panchayats and Common Service Centres (CSCs), workshops, skill awareness programmes, and grassroots support initiatives. Skill centres under PMKVY 4.0 and the JSS Scheme are also providing training opportunities close to beneficiaries, including those in aspirational, backward, and remote areas.
AI and Emerging Technologies at the Core
To strengthen AI-based skill development and digital training infrastructure, the government is promoting skill development in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, cloud computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), data analytics, cybersecurity, and green technologies.
The minister further stated that the Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) initiative has been designed as a fully online, self-paced AI learning programme through the Skill India Digital Hub. The courses are aligned with the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) and are credit-linked under the National Credit Framework (NCrF).
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.