PMKVY 4.0 Training Falls Short: 17,328 in 7 Months, Zero Enrollments Reported

India’s Prime Minister Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0 trained only 17,328 candidates in its model centers. This occurred during the first seven months of the 2025-26 financial year. Data presented to Parliament in the Winter Session 2025 showed many states reported zero new enrollments in these centers between April and October 31, 2025 .

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) shared these figures. The data highlights low participation under PMKVY 4.0. This fourth scheme iteration aims to boost skill training.

PMKVY 4.0 Training Lagging

The Prime Minister Kaushal Kendras (PMKKs) , dedicated model training centers under PMKVY, show a drastic drop in numbers. In the previous full financial year (2024-25), PMKKs trained 202,470 candidates . The 17,328 figure for 2025-26 covers only the period up to October 31. Many states and Union Territories, where PMKKs operate, showed blank enrollment data for this seven-month period.

Uttarakhand reported 5,332 trained candidates in 2024-25, but zero for 2025-26. Uttar Pradesh, with 57 PMKKs, trained 22,713 candidates in 2024-25. This figure dropped to 223 for 2025-26’s first seven months. Most Northeastern states also lacked training details for the current financial year.

*Data for 2025-26 is till October 31, 2025.

About PMKVY

PMKVY launched in 2015 as part of the Skill India Mission . It provides short-term training, upskilling, reskilling, and recognition of prior learning. PMKVY 4.0 started in 2022 and runs until 2026. The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) implements the scheme. 597 PMKKs operate nationally under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. Training also occurs through educational institutions and industry. PMKVY 4.0 has delinked candidate placement.

Blacklisted Centers and Irregularities

Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Jayant Chaudhary , informed Parliament about actions against non-compliant centers. By October 31, 2025 , 178 training centers were blacklisted for violating scheme guidelines. 41 First Information Reports (FIRs) were also registered. These involved serious irregularities like falsifying attendance records.

NSDC Governance Under Scrutiny

Concerns about NSDC’s governance were raised by Congress MP K Sudhakaran . These included a police complaint from August 2025 regarding alleged misappropriation of public funds. Minister Chaudhary clarified the matter is outside MSDE’s administrative control. NSDC is a not-for-profit public company. It operates under a unique PPP model, with 49% government and 51% private sector ownership. The NSDC Board of Directors makes administrative decisions. The Board removed its officiating CEO on May 15, 2025 , following established procedures. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) will audit NSDC starting from 2017-18.

Jan Sikshan Sansthan (JSS) Scheme Also Underperforms

The Jan Sikshan Sansthan (JSS) scheme , another skill initiative, also reported low participation for 2025-26. By October 31, 2025 , JSS trained 115,447 beneficiaries . This is against 500,490 trained in the full 2024-25 financial year. The scheme reached about one-fifth of last year’s total in seven months.

Originally Shramik Vidyapeeth (SVP) in 1967, JSS provides non-formal skill training through registered NGOs. It targets non-literates, neo-literates, and school dropouts aged 15-45 years. The aim is to promote self or wage employment. Since 2018 up to October 31, 2025, JSS trained 3,253,965 beneficiaries . Approximately 83% of these beneficiaries were women.

*Data for 2025-26 is till October 31, 2025.

Despite increased budget allocations, JSS fund utilization dropped. In 2023-24, Rs 157.25 crore was utilized from Rs 163.33 crore allocated. In 2024-25, only Rs 144.47 crore was utilized from Rs 235.1 crore allocated.