SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has been allocated ₹5.14 crore for the fiscal year 2025-26 under three central government skill development schemes. Ladakh, a neighbouring Union Territory, received ₹39 lakh for the same period. The allocations were detailed by the Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in response to a parliamentary query.
The Chenab Times has learned that the funds are designated for the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), and the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS). Specifically, Jammu and Kashmir received ₹3.49 crore for PMKVY, ₹63 lakh for JSS, and ₹1.02 crore for NAPS. Ladakh’s allocation includes ₹38 lakh for JSS and ₹1 lakh for NAPS, with no funds specified for PMKVY in the provided data.
The Ministry further clarified that the PMKVY 4.0 scheme operates on a demand-driven model, meaning funds are not directly allocated to states and Union Territories. Instead, disbursements are made to implementing agencies to cover training costs, based on pre-defined parameters. Under the JSS scheme, funds are directly released to non-governmental organisations. The NAPS initiative offers financial support to apprentices through direct benefit transfer, providing a monthly stipend of up to ₹1,500.
Nationally, the Skill India Mission, encompassing schemes like PMKVY, JSS, NAPS, and the Craftsman Training Scheme (CTS) through Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), aims to provide skilling, reskilling, and upskilling opportunities to the workforce. PMKVY 4.0 is focused on training in emerging technological fields such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, Internet of Things, cloud computing, cyber security, drone technology, green hydrogen, electric vehicles, semiconductor technology, robotics, augmented and virtual reality, and 5G networks.
The Jan Shikshan Sansthan program offers training in 83 job roles aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework, spanning 24 diverse sectors. Approximately 28 of these roles are considered new-age skills, categorized at Levels 2 to 4 of the framework. The National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme currently supports over 750 optional trades and 266 designated trades. The Craftsman Training Scheme provides instruction in 32 new-age courses, including artificial intelligence, industrial robotics, and climate-friendly technologies.
To ensure the relevance of training programs to industry demands, 36 Sector Skill Councils, composed of industry representatives, conduct comprehensive skill-gap analyses. These studies help identify sectoral needs and establish industry-accepted competency standards. Skill-gap assessments have been completed in critical areas such as artificial intelligence and big data analytics, green energy, electronics, and logistics.
In an effort to further align vocational training with current industry requirements, 10,209 qualifications have been approved by the National Council for Vocational Education and Training, with 2,975 of these currently designated as valid and active. Additional measures implemented by the government include industry-linked training modules, structured apprenticeship programmes, dedicated job fairs, and career counselling services. Strategic partnerships have also been forged with major IT companies, including IBM, Cisco, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft, to enhance training and employment opportunities.
The government has also initiated the PM-SETU scheme, a significant investment of ₹60,000 crore, aimed at upgrading 1,000 government ITIs. This initiative will operate on a hub-and-spoke model, comprising 200 ITIs designated as hubs and 800 as spokes. The overarching objective of PM-SETU is to significantly improve the employability of students through robust industry-led governance, practical exposure to vocational skills, comprehensive career guidance, effective placement support, and assistance for self-employment and entrepreneurship ventures.
Furthermore, the Skill India Digital Hub has been established to create a unified platform that integrates skilling, education, employment, and entrepreneurship services. This digital hub is designed to provide candidates with seamless access to job and apprenticeship opportunities, while simultaneously enabling potential employers to connect directly with a pool of trained and skilled candidates, thereby streamlining the recruitment process.
The Chenab Times News Desk