The Central Government’s PM-DAKSH (Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi) scheme gives free skill training to young people from marginalised groups. It was launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in 2020-21. Its purpose is that youth from SC, OBC, EBC, DNT and Safai Karamchari communities should learn a skill and get wage employment or self-employment. The training is completely free, and a monthly stipend is also paid on 80% attendance. One important fact — from 2024-25, PM-DAKSH has been subsumed under PMKVY; the same training is now given through the Skill India Digital Hub.
Who can apply
The applicant must be between 18 and 45 years of age and belong to one of these groups — Scheduled Castes (SC), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Backward Classes (EBC), De-Notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT), Safai Karamcharis (including waste pickers) or the transgender community. The income limit differs by group — below ₹3 lakh a year for OBC and below ₹1 lakh for EBC, while there is no income limit for SC, DNT and Safai Karamcharis.
What kind of training is given
PM-DAKSH offers four kinds of training. Up-skilling / RPL — short training of 32 to 80 hours for artisans already working in a trade. Short-Term Training — NSQF-based job-role courses of 200 to 600 hours (up to 6 months) — such as tailor, food processing, carpentry, beautician, electronics and computer work. Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) — 80–90 hours for youth who want to start their own micro-enterprise.
Stipend and other benefits
The training is 100% free — the government pays the full grant to the training institute. A stipend is paid on 80% or more attendance — in short-term non-residential training, SC candidates get ₹1,500 a month and OBC, EWS and DNT candidates get ₹1,000 a month. In up-skilling, a wage compensation of ₹3,000 per trainee is also given. On completing the training, candidates get a certificate and help with placement. Applications for training are made on the pmdaksh.dosje.gov.in portal, and a profile on the Skill India Digital Hub is also needed.
How to apply
First create your profile on the Skill India Digital Hub (skillindiadigital.gov.in), then log in at pmdaksh.dosje.gov.in and search for courses available in your district. Choose a course, fill the form and give the required documents — caste certificate, income certificate (for OBC/EBC), Aadhaar card and bank account details. After selection, training starts at the nearest training centre. Check the last date and seat details on the portal itself — do not pay anyone for applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What benefit does the PM-DAKSH scheme give?
A: Completely free skill training, a ₹1,000–₹1,500 monthly stipend on 80% attendance, a certificate and help with placement.
Q2: Who can apply?
A: Youth aged 18–45 from SC, OBC, EBC, DNT, Safai Karamchari or transgender groups — income below ₹3 lakh for OBC, below ₹1 lakh for EBC, no limit for SC/DNT.
Q3: Is PM-DAKSH still running as a separate scheme?
A: No — from 2024-25 it has been subsumed under PMKVY; the same training is now given through the Skill India Digital Hub.
Q4: Where do I apply?
A: On pmdaksh.dosje.gov.in and skillindiadigital.gov.in — first create a profile, then choose your district’s course.
Useful links
- PM-DAKSH Portal: https://pmdaksh.dosje.gov.in/
- Skill India Digital Hub: https://skillindiadigital.gov.in/
- PM-DAKSH Scheme on MyScheme: https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/pm-daksh
- Next Action: see all 726 Central Government schemes — /english/kendra-sarkar-ki-yojnayen-2/
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