PM VIKAS Scheme, Full Form, Objective, Components, Features

The PM VIKAS Scheme launched under the Ministry of Minority Affairs is a central sector scheme that provides skill development, leadership training and entrepreneurship to minorities and artisan communities all over India. The scheme is divided into four components and is expected to benefit around 9 lakh candidates during the 15th Finance Commission Cycle (2025-26).

PM VIKAS Scheme Overview

The PM VIKAS Scheme stands for Pradhan Mantri Virasaat Ka Samvardhan. The initiative was introduced by the government with an aim to provide skill training, entrepreneurship and leadership training to artisan communities around India. This scheme also highlights the preservation of traditional arts and crafts while supporting the growth and development of minor communities. 

The PM VIKAS Scheme also consolidates five already existing schemes: 

1. Seekho aur Kamao
2. USTTAD (Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development)
3. Hamari Dharohar
4. Nai Roshni
5. Nai Manzil 

The merging of the scheme provides financial support to minorities and artisans while also integrating Skill India Mission and also working with other ministries like Women and Child Development, Panchayati Raj, Tourism and Education for the overall development in minority concentrated areas. 

PM VIKAS Scheme Objectives

The key objectives of the PM VIKAS Scheme are:

1. Skill Development: Delivering targeted skill training in demand-driven courses to enhance employability and livelihood opportunities for minority and artisan communities.
2. Educational Support: Providing formal education and certification for school dropouts up to 8th, 10th, and 12th grades through open schooling, thereby improving literacy rates within these communities.
3. Leadership and Entrepreneurship: Empowering women from minority and artisan backgrounds by training 2 lakh women, including the development of 10,000 business mentors (‘Biz Sakhis’).
4. Cultural Preservation: Safeguarding and promoting traditional arts, crafts, literature, documents, and manuscripts to ensure their relevance in modern markets.
5. Infrastructure Development: Establishing sustainable model art and craft villages that blend arts with tourism and commerce, fostering livelihoods, employment, and entrepreneurial opportunities.

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PM VIKAS Scheme Components

The PM VIKAS Scheme has four components:

Component 1: Skilling and Training 

1. Traditional Training sub-component (previously known as USTTAD and Hamari Dharohar).
2. Non-traditional Skilling sub-component (previously known as Seekho aur Kamao). 

Component 2: Leadership and Entrepreneurship (previously Nai Roshni).

Component 3: Education (previously Nai Manzil).

Component 4: Infrastructure Development (through Hub and Spoke Villages).

PM VIKAS Scheme Features

PM VIKAS Scheme has the following features:

The scheme aims to ensure inclusive growth for not only the minority and artisan communities but also for the youth and women. 

• Focus is on both traditional and non-traditional skill training based on market demands. 
• The National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation(NMDFC) has been given the responsibility of providing finance to the communities. 
• School dropouts are given formal education as well as certification.
• The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts provides market linkages in order to provide livelihood opportunities for beneficiaries. 
• The ‘Hub and Spoke’ model is used to establish Vishwakarma Villages to support the artisans and their crafts. 
• The PM VIKAS Scheme lays down the foundation of sustainable development and cultural preservation while addressing the socio-economic needs of minority and artisan communities.