PM-DAKSH Yojana (Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalata Sampanna Hitgrahi Yojana) is a Central Sector Scheme launched in 2020-21 by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to provide completely free skill training to SC, OBC, EWS, DNT, Safai Karamcharis, and Transgender candidates aged 18 to 45 years for wage employment and self-employment. Candidates apply online through the official PM-DAKSH portal.
PM-DAKSH Yojana Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalata Sampanna Hitgrahi Yojana (PM-DAKSH) |
| Launched | 2020-21 |
| Ministry | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment |
| Department | Department of Social Justice and Empowerment |
| Main Objective | Provide free skill training to marginalised communities for wage employment and self-employment |
| Target Group | SC, OBC, EWS, DNT, Safai Karamcharis, including Waste Pickers, Transgender |
| Age Limit | 18 to 45 years |
| Income Limit | No limit for SC, DNT, Safai Karamcharis. Rs. 3 lakh for OBC and EWS |
| Training Cost | Completely free, 100% government funded |
| Types of Training | Up-skilling/Re-skilling (RPL), Short Term Training (STT), Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) |
| Stipend for SC | Rs. 1,500 per month (non-residential) |
| Stipend for OBC/EWS/DNT | Rs. 1,000 per month (non-residential) |
| Stipend for Safai Karamcharis | Rs. 1,500 per month (non-residential) |
| RPL Stipend | Rs. 500 per person as wage loss compensation |
| Minimum Attendance Required | 70% biometric attendance through AEBAS |
| Training Allowed | Only once per candidate |
| Re-assessment | One free re-assessment under STT |
| Total Budget | Rs. 450.25 crore (2021-22 to 2025-26) |
| Target Beneficiaries | 2,71,000 persons (2021-22 to 2025-26) |
| Beneficiaries Trained till 2023-24 | 1,87,305 |
| Stipend Payment Mode | Automatic DBT based on AEBAS attendance |
| Phone | 011-24369025 |
| pmdaksh.depwd@gmail.com | |
| Official Portal | pmdaksh.depwd.gov.in |
| Official Scheme Page | socialjustice.gov.in |
Introduction of PM-DAKSH Yojana: A Brief Insight
In India, millions of young people from the Scheduled Caste, OBC, and other marginalised communities have the potential to work and earn but lack recognised skills that employers and markets demand. Without a formal certificate or industry-recognised training, they either remain unemployed or accept low-paying informal work. PM-DAKSH Yojana directly addresses this gap by providing free, structured, and industry-aligned skill training to these communities.
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalata Sampanna Hitgrahi Yojana (PM-DAKSH) in 2020-21 as a Central Sector Scheme. The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment implements it through a Project Management Unit. The scheme targets SC, OBC, EWS, DNT, Safai Karamcharis, including Waste Pickers, and Transgender candidates aged 18 to 45 years. Training is completely free, 100% government funded. Candidates apply and enrol online through the official PM-DAKSH Portal.
The scheme provides three types of training. Up-skilling and re-skilling under RPL is only for Safai Mitras and Waste Pickers, approximately 35 hours covering safe sanitation practices and occupational skills. Short-term training covers SC, OBC, EWS, DNT, and Sanitation Workers in job roles like tailoring, furniture making, food processing, carpet weaving, beautician work, leather work, and tyre fitting, along with financial and digital literacy. Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) supports SC, EWS, OBC, and DNT youth with an entrepreneurial mindset through NIESBUD or IIE. Candidates receive a monthly stipend during training, Rs. 1,500 for SC candidates, Rs. 1,000 for OBC/EWS/DNT, and Rs. 1,500 for Safai Karamcharis. Minimum 70% biometric attendance is mandatory for the stipend and assessment. A candidate can avail training only once. Total budget approved is Rs. 450.25 crore for 2021-22 to 2025-26 with a target to train 2,71,000 persons. Till 2023-24, the Government trained 1,87,305 beneficiaries.
Candidates who complete skill training under PM-DAKSH Yojana and wish to explore additional government support programmes may also check the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY), which focuses on the socio-economic development of Scheduled Caste communities through livelihood projects, village infrastructure, and other welfare interventions. Similarly, eligible rural households can also explore the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Gramin (PMAY-G), which provides financial assistance for the construction of pucca houses in rural areas.
Candidates, NGOs, training institutions, and anyone looking for more skill development schemes, livelihood support programmes, and welfare initiatives for marginalised communities can also explore other available programmes under our Central Government Welfare Schemes List section.
Benefits Provided Under PM-DAKSH Yojana
PM-DAKSH Yojana provides completely free skill training with financial support to eligible candidates from SC, OBC, EWS, DNT, Safai Karamchari, and Transgender communities.
Training Benefits
- Skill training is completely free of cost for all eligible candidates, 100% funded by the Government
- Training covers industry-oriented job roles aligned with the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF)
- The government provides course material, the Facilitator Guide for trainers, and the Course Handbook for candidates at no extra cost
- Candidates receive one free re-assessment chance under Short Term Training if they fail the first assessment
- Certified candidates receive a certificate in both physical and digital form, with credits as per the National Credit Framework
Stipend Benefits
- SC candidates receive a Rs. 1,500 per month stipend for non-residential Short Term Training
- OBC, EWS, and DNT candidates receive a Rs. 1,000 per month stipend for non-residential Short Term Training
- Safai Karamcharis and Waste Pickers receive a Rs. 1,500 per month stipend for non-residential Short Term Training
- RPL trainees (Safai Mitras and Waste Pickers) receive Rs. 500 per person as wage loss compensation during training
- For residential training programmes, the government provides boarding and lodging for the complete training duration
- Stipend payment happens automatically through DBT based on AEBAS biometric attendance, with no manual process
- Minimum 70% attendance required to receive stipend
Employment and Livelihood Benefits
- The government promotes placement through Rozgar Melas for certified candidates
- Training institutes maintain industry tie-ups for the proper placement of certified trainees
- The government encourages apprenticeships for certified candidates after training completion
- Post-placement verification ensures employment tracking for trained candidates
- Online counselling through Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) helps candidates select appropriate courses and training centres
Three Types of Training Under PM-DAKSH Yojana
PM-DAKSH Yojana provides three distinct types of training based on the target group and their specific needs. Candidates must select the training type that matches their category and career goals.
1. Upskilling and Reskilling Under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
- Who can apply: Only Safai Mitras and Waste Pickers
- Duration: Approximately 35 hours
- Curriculum: Safe and healthy sanitation practices and occupational skills as per approved Qualification Packs
- Implementing Agency: NSKFDC (National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation)
- Stipend: Rs. 500 per person as wage loss compensation during training
- Objective: Upgrade existing skills so that income increases within the same practising vocation
2. Short Term Training (STT)
- Who can apply: SC, OBC, EWS, DNT, and Sanitation Workers, including Waste Pickers and their dependents
- Duration: Less than 1200 hours as per NSQF and National Occupational Standards
- Job roles covered: Tailoring, furniture making, food processing, carpet weaving, beautician work, leather work, latex harvesting, tyre fitting, and financial and digital literacy
- Stipend: Rs. 1,500 per month for SC candidates and Safai Karamcharis, Rs. 1,000 per month for OBC, EWS, and DNT candidates
- Residential training: The government provides boarding and lodging wherever necessary
- Objective: Provide industry-oriented training for wage employment and self-employment opportunities
3. Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP)
- Who can apply: SC, EWS, OBC, and DNT youth with an entrepreneurial mindset
- Conducted by: National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) or Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
- Objective: Develop entrepreneurial skills and a guide for starting and managing a small business or self-employment venture
Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled
The following eligibility conditions apply to candidates seeking skill training under PM-DAKSH Yojana as per the official scheme guidelines issued by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment dated 1 June 2024 and Corrigendum dated 7 January 2025.
Basic Eligibility
- Applicant must be an Indian national
- Age must be between 18 and 45 years
- Applicant must belong to SC, OBC, EWS, DNT, Safai Karamcharis, including Waste Pickers, or Transgender category
- Applicant must possess an Aadhaar Card and an Aadhaar-linked bank account
Category-wise Income Conditions
- Scheduled Caste (SC): No income limit
- De-Notified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT): No income limit
- Safai Karamcharis, including Waste Pickers: No income limit
- Other Backward Classes (OBC): Annual family income must be below Rs. 3 lakh
- Economically Weaker Sections (EWS): Annual family income must be below Rs. 3 lakh
Training-specific Conditions
- Applicant must fulfil educational qualification requirements for the selected job role as approved by NCVET or other regulators such as AICTE
- Applicant must maintain a minimum 70% biometric attendance through AEBAS to appear in the final assessment and receive a stipend
- A person can avail training under the PM-DAKSH Yojana only once
Category-wise Training Eligibility
- Up-skilling and Re-skilling under RPL: Only for Safai Mitras, including Waste Pickers
- Short Term Training: SC, OBC, EWS, DNT, and Sanitation Workers, including Waste Pickers and their dependents
- Entrepreneurship Development Programme: SC, EWS, OBC, and DNT youth with an entrepreneurial mindset
Who Cannot Apply
- Candidates who have already availed training under the PM-DAKSH Yojana previously
- OBC and EWS candidates whose annual family income exceeds Rs. 3 lakh
- Candidates below 18 years or above 45 years of age
- Candidates not belonging to the SC, OBC, EWS, DNT, Safai Karamchari, Waste Picker, or Transgender category
Documents Required to be Attached
Documents required under PM-DAKSH Yojana vary based on the category of the applicant. Candidates must keep the following documents ready before registering on the official PM-DAKSH portal.
For Scheduled Caste (SC) Candidates
- Aadhaar Card
- Caste Certificate issued by the competent authority of the State Government
- Passport-sized photograph
- Bank account details with IFSC code
- Mobile number linked with Aadhaar
For OBC and EWS Candidates
- Aadhaar Card
- OBC Certificate or EWS Certificate issued by the appropriate State Government authority
- Income Certificate confirming annual family income below Rs. 3 lakh issued by the appropriate State Government authority or self-certified and endorsed by a Gazetted Officer
- Passport-sized photograph
- Bank account details with IFSC code
- Mobile number linked with Aadhaar
For DNT Candidates
- Aadhaar Card
- Self-declaration of specific caste, date of birth, and address with endorsement by the local Pradhan of the Community
- Passport-sized photograph
- Bank account details with IFSC code
- Mobile number linked with Aadhaar
For Safai Karamcharis and Waste Pickers
- Aadhaar Card
- Occupation Certificate confirming work as Safai Karamchari or Waste Picker
- Passport-sized photograph
- Bank account details with IFSC code
- Mobile number linked with Aadhaar
For Transgender Candidates
- Aadhaar Card
- Certificate and ID Card issued through the National Portal for Transgender Persons at transgender.dosje.gov.in
- Passport-sized photograph
- Bank account details with IFSC code
- Mobile number linked with Aadhaar
How Candidates Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme
PM-DAKSH Yojana accepts online applications through the official portal. Candidates must register on Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) for profile verification before enrolling in a training programme.
Step 1: Visit the official PM-DAKSH portal at pmdaksh.depwd.gov.in and click on New Registration to create a new candidate account.
Step 2: Register on Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) for profile verification through mobile-based OTP e-KYC. SIDH handles end-to-end digitalisation of the training lifecycle from registration to post-certification tracking.
Step 3: Complete the candidate profile by entering all personal details, including name, age, address, Aadhaar number, category, and bank account details linked with Aadhaar.
Step 4: Upload all required documents based on the category, including Aadhaar Card, caste certificate, income certificate, wherever applicable, and other category-specific documents.
Step 5: Browse available training programmes on the portal. The government provides online counselling through SIDH to help candidates select the appropriate course and training centre based on their category, location, and career interests.
Step 6: Select the preferred training programme and training centre from the list of empanelled training institutions displayed on the portal.
Step 7: Submit the completed application form on the portal and note the registration number for future reference and status tracking.
Step 8: After selection and verification, join the training programme at the assigned training centre. Candidates must maintain a minimum 70% biometric attendance through AEBAS to remain eligible for the stipend and final assessment.
Step 9: Appear for the final assessment conducted by empanelled Assessment Agencies after completing the training, including On-the-Job Training (OJT) wherever applicable. The government provides one free re-assessment chance if the candidate fails the first assessment.
Step 10: After a successful assessment, download the certificate in digital form from the SIDH portal. Certified candidates get onboarded on SIDH and can participate in Rozgar Melas for placement support.
Important: A candidate can avail training under PM-DAKSH Yojana only once. For any queries during the application process, contact the PM-DAKSH helpline at 011 24369025, available from 10 AM to 6 PM.
Important Links Available
- PM-DAKSH Yojana Official Portal.
- PM-DAKSH Yojana Frequently Asked Questions.
- PM-DAKSH Yojana Official Scheme Page, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.
- PM-DAKSH Scheme Guidelines.
- National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC) Official Portal.
- Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Contact Details in Case of Help Needed
Candidates facing issues related to PM-DAKSH Yojana registration, training, stipend, or scheme-related queries can contact through the following official channels.
- Phone: 011-24369025
- Email: pmdaksh.depwd@gmail.com
- National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC)
14th Floor, SCOPE Minar, Core 1 and 2,
North Tower, Laxmi Nagar District Centre,
Laxmi Nagar, Delhi 110092 - Department of Social Justice and Empowerment
Shastri Bhawan,
New Delhi
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is PM-DAKSH Yojana?
Ans. Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalata Sampanna Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) Yojana is a Central Sector Scheme launched in 2020-21 by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to provide free skill training to SC, OBC, EWS, DNT, Safai Karamcharis, including Waste Pickers, and Transgender candidates for wage employment and self-employment.
Q. Is PM-DAKSH a scholarship or a cash assistance scheme?
Ans. No. PM-DAKSH is a skill development and livelihood enhancement scheme. It provides free training, a stipend during training, and employment support. It does not provide any direct cash transfer or scholarship.
Q. Who is eligible for PM-DAKSH Yojana?
Ans. Indian nationals aged 18 to 45 years belonging to SC, OBC, EWS, DNT, Safai Karamcharis, including Waste Pickers, and Transgender category are eligible. OBC and EWS candidates must have an annual family income below Rs. 3 lakh. There is no income limit for SC, DNT, and Safai Karamcharis.
Q. Is the training free of cost?
Ans. Yes. Training is completely free for all eligible candidates. The government funds 100% of the training cost.
Q. What stipend do candidates receive during training?
Ans. For non-residential Short Term Training, SC candidates and Safai Karamcharis receive Rs. 1,500 per month, OBC, EWS, and DNT candidates receive Rs. 1,000 per month. RPL trainees receive Rs. 500 per person as wage loss compensation. For residential training, the government provides boarding and lodging.
Q. What is the minimum attendance required?
Ans. Candidates must maintain a minimum 70% biometric attendance through the Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS) to remain eligible for the stipend and final assessment.
Q. How many times can a candidate avail training under PM-DAKSH?
Ans. A candidate can avail training under PM-DAKSH Yojana only once.
Q. What are the three types of training under PM-DAKSH?
Ans. PM-DAKSH provides three types of training. Upskilling and re-skilling under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is only for Safai Mitras and Waste Pickers with approximately 35 hours duration. Short-term training covers SC, OBC, EWS, DNT, and Sanitation Workers with a duration of less than 1200 hours. Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) is for SC, EWS, OBC, and DNT youth with an entrepreneurial mindset, conducted by NIESBUD or IIE.
Q. Who conducts the Entrepreneurship Development Programme?
Ans. The Ministry approaches the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) or the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship for conducting EDP training.
Q. What job roles are covered under Short Term Training?
Ans. Short-term training covers job roles such as self-employed tailors training, furniture making, food processing, carpet weaving, beautician workers, leather work, latex harvesting, and tyre fitting, along with financial and digital literacy as per NSQF and National Occupational Standards.
Q. How does the stipend payment work?
Ans. Stipend payment happens automatically through DBT based on AEBAS biometric attendance without any manual process. Candidates with less than 70% attendance do not receive a stipend for that period.
Q. Is re-assessment available if a candidate fails?
Ans. Yes. The government provides one free re-assessment chance under the Short Term Training component to candidates who fail the first assessment.
Q. What happens after completing the training?
Ans. After a successful assessment, candidates receive a certificate in both physical and digital form with credits as per the National Credit Framework. Certified candidates get onboarded on Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) and can participate in Rozgar Melas for placement support.
Q. Where can candidates apply for PM-DAKSH Yojana?
Ans. Candidates can apply online through the official PM-DAKSH portal at pmdaksh.depwd.gov.in.
Q. What is the total budget allocated for PM-DAKSH Yojana?
Ans. The government approved Rs. 450.25 crore for PM-DAKSH Yojana from 2021-22 to 2025-26 with a target to train 2,71,000 persons. As of 2023-24, 1,87,305 beneficiaries have been trained under the scheme.
Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare scheme programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.