PM-VIKAS

PM Vikas Scheme (Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan) is a flagship initiative launched by the Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) to enhance skill development, entrepreneurship, and education among minority and artisan communities. This scheme aligns with the broader vision of the Skill India Mission, integrating with the Skill India Portal (SIP) to create sustainable livelihood opportunities.

What is PM Vikas Scheme?

The PM Vikas Scheme full form is Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan Scheme. It is designed to uplift the six notified minority communities—Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis—by providing skill training, education support, and leadership development. The scheme aims to empower artisans and craftsmen by helping them adapt to modern market needs while preserving traditional art forms.

The scheme also centralises five earlier programs—Seekho Aur Kamao, Nai Manzil, Nai Roshni, Hamari Dharohar, and USTTAD—to create a comprehensive support system for minority communities.

PM Virasat Scheme

The PM Virasat Scheme is another name for the PM Vikas Scheme. The term “Virasat” refers to heritage, highlighting the scheme’s focus on preserving and enhancing traditional skills and crafts.

By consolidating multiple older schemes under one umbrella, the government ensures better resource utilization, wider reach, and stronger impact for beneficiaries.

PM Vikas Scheme Objectives

The Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) designed the PM Vikas Scheme objectives carefully to ensure long-term impact by integrating traditional knowledge with modern economic systems, helping artisans and workers become self-sufficient and financially stable.

The PM Vikas Scheme objectives include:

• Skill development: Providing structured skill training for traditional and non-traditional job roles to minority communities.
• Entrepreneurship support: Encouraging self-employment by linking beneficiaries to financial aid and business mentorship programs.
• Educational upliftment: Helping school dropouts complete their formal education through open schooling programs.
• Leadership training: Empowering women and youth through entrepreneurship and leadership training to increase their participation in economic growth.
• Heritage preservation: Supporting traditional artisans and craftsmen to sustain and modernize their businesses while maintaining their cultural heritage.
• Market linkages and financial support: Connecting artisans to national and global markets, along with credit linkages for business sustainability.

PM Vikas Scheme Components

The PM Vikas Scheme features a four-component structure, each addressing different aspects of empowerment. These components address different aspects of skill development, entrepreneurship, and education to ensure holistic development:

1. Skilling and Training Component

This component focuses on skill training through two sub-categories:

• Traditional Training Sub-component (previously USTTAD and Hamari Dharohar):
  • Provides training in traditional arts and crafts, helping artisans upgrade their skills.
  • Encourages market linkages and financial credit support.
  • Targets 1 lakh artisans engaged in traditional trades.
• Non-traditional Skilling Sub-component (earlier Seekho Aur Kamao):
  • Trains youth from minority and artisan families in National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) compliant job roles.
  • Links them to employment opportunities.
  • Targets 5 lakh beneficiaries.

2. Leadership and Entrepreneurship Component

This component (formerly Nai Roshni) aims to promote leadership and entrepreneurship among minority youth, particularly women:

• Provides 60-hour leadership training to 2 lakh women.
• Offers 100-hour entrepreneurship training for 1 lakh women.
• Select 10,000 women for advanced 240-hour training to become Biz Sakhis (business correspondents and mentors).

3. Education Component

Previously known as Nai Manzil, this component provides formal education to school dropouts from minority and artisan communities:

• Enables students to complete classes 8th, 10th, and 12th through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) or other approved institutions.
• Targets 1 lakh youth to receive education support.

4. Infrastructure Development Component

This component follows a Hub and Spoke Model, creating Vishwakarma Villages to serve as centers for artisan training and cultural preservation:

• Establishes art and craft villages where artisans can showcase and sell their products.
• Integrates with tourism and commerce sectors to boost local economic opportunities.
• Provides infrastructure support through Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK).

Implementation and Convergence of PM Vikas Scheme

The success of the PM Vikas Scheme depends on coordinated efforts from various stakeholders. The government has ensured strong inter-ministerial collaboration to make the scheme more effective.

1. Cluster-Based Development: Identifies Minority Concentrated Areas (MCAs) where the program will be implemented to ensure community-wide benefits.
2. Collaboration with Other Ministries: Works with the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Women & Child Development, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship to offer integrated solutions.
3. Credit and Market Linkages: Provides financial support through the National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC) and Market support is provided through the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) to improve global outreach.

Eligibility and Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs)

Funding and eligibility criteria determine who benefits from the scheme and how financial support is allocated.

• The PM Vikas Scheme is 100% centrally funded under the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
• Eligible beneficiaries include members of six notified minority communities: Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains, and Parsis.
• Special provisions exist for women, economically weaker sections (EWS), and persons with disabilities (PwDs).

To ensure effective execution, the scheme also involves Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs), including:

• Government institutions, PSUs, and training institutes.
• Registered NGOs, trusts, societies, and private sector organizations.
• Entities with at least three years of experience in skill development, artisan promotion, or community development.
• Organizations with a minimum turnover of Rs. 3 crores over the last three years.