PM-VIKAS Scheme
- Context : The Ministry reviews the implementation of the PM VIKAS Scheme on a regular basis at various levels to assess progress, address operational challenges and strengthen implementation.
About PM-VIKAS Scheme
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- PM-VIKAS is a scheme of the Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) to provide skill development, entrepreneurship, and leadership training to minority communities and artisan families across India.
- It is implemented in coordination with the Skill India Mission and is linked with the Skill India Portal (SIP).
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- The scheme combines the Ministry’s earlier skill development and education programmes into a single platform.
- It aims to improve the social and economic condition of the six notified minority communities: Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains, Zoroastrians (Parsis).
- The scheme also helps beneficiaries access loans through the National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC).
Implementation
- The Ministry plans to implement the scheme by selecting art and craft clusters in Minority Concentrated Areas (MCAs).
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- It will work together with other Ministries such as:
- Ministry of Tourism
- Ministry of Women & Child Development
- Ministry of Panchayati Raj
- Ministry of Education
- Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship
- This coordination aims to ensure the overall development of minority communities in the selected areas.
Components of PM-VIKAS
- Skilling and Training Component
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- Traditional Training (Earlier: USTTAD and Hamari Dharohar)
- Provides training in traditional arts and crafts.
- Covers minority artisans and their family members, including those involved in declining traditional art forms.
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- Non-Traditional Skilling (Earlier: Seekho Aur Kamao)
- Offers skill training in NSQF-compliant job roles
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- Focuses on minority communities and artisan families.
- Gives training in sectors related to arts, crafts, and employment opportunities.
- Leadership and Entrepreneurship Component (Earlier: Nai Roshni)
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- Provides leadership and basic entrepreneurship training mainly to youth from minority communities and artisan families.
- Gives special entrepreneurship training to women who complete the leadership programme.
- Selects capable women trainees as Business Mentors (Biz Sakhis).
- Supports them in starting individual or group enterprises.
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- Education Component (Earlier: Nai Manzil)
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- Provides bridge education programmes for school dropouts from minority and artisan communities.
- Helps them continue their studies from Class 8 to Class 12 through open schooling.
- Certificates are provided through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) or any other institution approved by MoMA.
PM-YASASVI Scheme
- Context: The Government of India has reaffirmed its commitment to improving educational opportunities for OBC, EBC, and DNT students through the PM-YASASVI (Prime Minister Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India) umbrella scheme.
About PM-YASASVI
- PM-YASASVI is a central umbrella scheme that supports the education of students belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Economically Backward Classes (EBCs), and Denotified Tribes (DNTs).
- Its aim is to help these students receive quality education during their school and higher education years.
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- From 2021–22, the scheme merged several earlier scholarship programmes, including:
- Dr. Ambedkar Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for EBC students.
- Dr. Ambedkar Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for DNT students.
- By combining these schemes, PM-YASASVI provides a single, simplified, and more effective system for educational support.
Objective
- The main objective is to promote education among socially and economically disadvantaged students.
- It helps students overcome financial difficulties and continue their education.
Scholarships under the Scheme
- Pre-Matric Scholarship: For students studying in Classes 9 and 10.
- Post-Matric Scholarship: For students pursuing higher education after Class 10 (post-matric/post-secondary level).
Eligibility
- The Pre-Matric Scholarship is available for students studying in Classes IX and X in Government schools.
- The annual family income should be less than ₹2.5 lakh.
Implementing Agency
- The scheme is implemented by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
