Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PMAJAY): Skill Development
Free skill training, 32–200+ hours · Scheduled Caste youth · India
This centrally sponsored scheme provides free skill development training to Scheduled Caste individuals in Gujarat, covering upskilling, short-term courses, entrepreneurship programs, and long-term technical courses. Training, assessment, and certification are all provided at no cost to the candidate, with placement facilitation afterwards. Applications are processed through State/District Administration and Training Partners — contact the Gujarat Social Justice and Empowerment Department to find upcoming batches.
About This Scheme
This centrally sponsored scheme provides free skill development training to Scheduled Caste individuals in Gujarat, covering upskilling, short-term courses, entrepreneurship programs, and long-term technical courses. Training, assessment, and certification are all provided at no cost to the candidate, with placement facilitation afterwards. Applications are processed through State/District Administration and Training Partners — contact the Gujarat Social Justice and Empowerment Department to find upcoming batches.
Full official description
The scheme "Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PMAJAY): Skill Development" is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. In Gujarat, the scheme is implemented by the Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Govt. of Gujarat. The "Skill Development" component of the scheme aims to reduce poverty of the Scheduled Castes communities by generation of additional employment opportunities through skill development. The scheme provides short-term and long-term skill development training programs. The applicant, who is the Scheduled Caste person seeking training, must ensure they are not covered under the Scheme of Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi for these skill development activities.
Benefits
- Free upskilling / Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): 32–80 hours, up to 1 month
- Free short-term courses (focused on women and self-employment): 200–600 hours, up to 5 months
- Free Entrepreneurial Development Programme (EDP): 80 hours (10 days)
- Free long-term technical courses (for those with 10th pass or above): 6 months to 1 year
- Third-party assessment and certification provided after successful completion
- Placement facilitation in wage or self-employment (scheme targets 70% placement for short and long-term trainees)
💡 Why Startups Should Care
The short-duration RPL track recognizes skills you already have informally, quickly converting years of practical experience into formal certification — useful for SC entrepreneurs wanting credentials to access other schemes or bigger contracts.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must be a resident of Gujarat
- Must belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community
- Long-term course applicants must have passed at least 10th Standard
- Must not already be enrolled under PM-DAKSH (Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi) for the same training activity
Exclusions
- Not eligible if already covered under 'Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann' or similar overlapping schemes
How to Apply
- State/District Administration mobilizes candidates, often through local outreach.
- Register for the relevant training program (RPL, short-term course, etc.).
- Submit Aadhaar, caste certificate, income certificate, and age proof.
- Complete the training program at the designated centre.
- Receive certification upon successful completion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different types of training programs available and what is the duration of each program under this skill development initiative?
The training programs include Up-skilling/Recognition of Prior Learning (32 to 80 hours over one month), Short Term Courses (200 to 600 hours over five months), Entrepreneurial Development Programmes (80 hours over 10 days), and Long Term Courses (six months to one year).
If I am already registered under Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi scheme, can I still apply for this training program?
No, applicants who are covered under the Scheme of Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) for skill development activities are not eligible.
What is the minimum educational qualification required for enrolling in the Long Term Courses under this training program?
The applicant must have passed 10th Standard to be eligible for Long Term Courses.
After completing the training program successfully, what kind of assessment and certification process will I have to undergo?
The trained candidates must undergo third party assessment and certification after successful completion of the training programme.
What kind of placement support or employment assistance will be provided after I complete my training and receive certification?
The trained candidate is facilitated for placement in wage employment or self-employment by the implementing agency, with a target of 70% placement for Short Term and Long Term Training Programmes.
Which community members are specifically targeted as beneficiaries for this skill development training scheme launched by the government?
The applicant must be from the Scheduled Caste community to be eligible for this training program.
Is there any residential requirement or domicile criterion that needs to be fulfilled for applying to this training program?
The applicant must be a resident of Gujarat to be eligible for this scheme.
What is the primary objective and the expected outcome that this skill development initiative aims to achieve for the beneficiaries?
The scheme aims to reduce poverty of the Scheduled Caste communities by generation of additional employment opportunities through skill development.
How are potential candidates identified and selected for enrollment in the various training programs offered under this initiative?
Identification of the beneficiary is carried out by the implementing agency after assessing the interest of the candidates in the skill proposed to be imparted, followed by formal selection through Selection Committee Meetings.
How does the implementing agency reach out to potential candidates and create awareness about the available training opportunities under this scheme?
The State and/or District Administration, working with Training Partners, initiates mobilization through advertisements in print media and social media.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Aadhaar card
- Age proof
- Bank passbook / cancelled cheque
- Birth certificate
- Caste certificate
- Identity proof
- Income certificate
- Marksheet