The Central Government’s Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0 has a component called RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) for workers who have a skill but no formal certificate for it. If you have been doing a job for years — such as carpentry, plumbing, tailoring, cooking or operating machines — RPL assesses your experience and gives a government certificate. No long training is needed for this. The scheme is run by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the whole process is free.
What RPL gives you
In RPL, there is first a 12-hour orientation. If any knowledge gap remains, a bridge course of up to 68 hours is also given — the maximum duration including upskilling is 132 hours. A certificate is given on scoring 70% or more in the assessment — Grade A for 85% and above and Grade B for 70–85%. On success, a cash reward of ₹1,500 to ₹2,500 is given, along with 1-year accidental insurance, whose premium of ₹14.16 is paid from the scheme funds. At RPL camps, a kit is also given — a PMKVY T-shirt or jacket, a cap and study material.
Who can apply
RPL is for workers who have work experience in a trade — usually workers with 3 or more years of experience are given preference. PMKVY 4.0 covers 500+ job roles, so certification is possible for almost every skill. The age range for RPL is broad — candidates aged 18 to 59 years can apply, which makes it useful for mid-career workers too. There is no fee for training, assessment or certification — everything is free from the government.
Understand the three parts of PMKVY 4.0
PMKVY 4.0 has three main components — Short-Term Training (STT), RPL and Special Projects. STT is 300–600 hours of training for new learners, RPL is certification for experienced workers, and Special Projects are for special needs. PMKVY 4.0 runs from 2022 to 2026, and more than 25 lakh candidates had been trained by 11 July 2025. The RPL certificate is aligned with the NSQF and recognised across India — it improves chances of jobs, promotion and better wages.
How to apply
Registration for RPL happens on the Skill India Digital Hub (skillindiadigital.gov.in). Create your profile on the portal, choose your trade and experience, and select the nearest RPL centre or camp. The dates for orientation and assessment are given on the portal itself. On passing the assessment, the certificate and reward are given directly. If you do not pass the first time, there is also a facility of one free re-assessment. Do not pay anyone for applying — RPL is completely free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is PMKVY-RPL?
A: It is the component of PMKVY 4.0 that gives a government certificate for skills learned through work experience, after assessment — without long training.
Q2: What benefit does RPL give?
A: An NSQF certificate (Grade A/B), a cash reward of ₹1,500–₹2,500, 1-year accident insurance and an RPL kit — all free.
Q3: Who can apply?
A: Any worker aged 18–59 with experience in a trade — usually 3 or more years of experience.
Q4: Where do I apply?
A: On the Skill India Digital Hub, skillindiadigital.gov.in — create a profile, choose your trade and select the nearest RPL centre.
Useful links
- Skill India Digital Hub: https://skillindiadigital.gov.in/
- PMKVY-RPL on MyScheme: https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/pmkvy-rpl
- Next Action: see all 726 Central Government schemes — /english/kendra-sarkar-ki-yojnayen-2/
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