Enhancing employability of rural women under pradhan mantri kaushal vikas yojana (PMKVY)

Abstract

Women's labor-force participation is widely acknowledged as a critical driver of inclusive economic growth and sustainable development. Initiatives for skill development have become essential tools for policymakers looking to improve employability and encourage inclusive growth. The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), launched under the Skill India Mission, seeks to provide industry-relevant skill training and certification to youth, including marginalized rural women. Using secondary data from government reports and skill development agencies, the paper aims to analyse the implementation pattern of PMKVY, explores participation trends & sector-wise skill preferences and identify key challenges affecting the effectiveness of the scheme. The study is primarily descriptive and analytical in nature. The findings reveal notable regional differences, with rural and tribal districts facing limitations like restricted access, low awareness, and sociocultural barriers, while urban districts exhibit superior infrastructure, a variety of courses, and higher participation rates. The study further found that women’s participation across selected districts ranged approximately from 30-50% with Jaipur and Alwar demonstrating relatively stronger employability outcomes compared to tribal districts. The study concludes that While PMKVY has improved training access and fostered inclusion among disadvantaged groups, its impact is limited by systemic and operational barriers. It highlights the need for a decentralized, demand-oriented, and gender-responsive approach, supported by stronger industry linkages and effective monitoring systems, to improve rural women’s employability.