Government Skill Schemes in India: PMKVY, DDU-GKY, NAPS, PM Vishwakarma

India has several central government schemes for people who want to learn a skill, gain work experience or grow a traditional trade. They are run by different ministries, aimed at different people, and applied for on different portals — which is why students and parents often confuse them. This page explains, in plain language, who each major scheme is for, what it provides and where to apply officially.

The schemes at a glance

PMKVY: Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana

What it is: the flagship short-term skill training scheme under the Skill India Mission, run by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

Who it is for: youth who want to learn a job role, and people who already have skills learnt informally and want them certified through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

What it provides: training for a defined job role at an approved centre, independent assessment, and a certificate. Funded batches are meant to be free for eligible candidates.

How to apply: register on the Skill India Digital Hub and enrol in an approved batch near you. Eligibility and available job roles vary by phase; check current details on the portal.

Read our full PMKVY student guide and SIDH walkthrough.

DDU-GKY: Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana

What it is: a placement-linked skill training programme of the Ministry of Rural Development, connected to the National Rural Livelihood Mission.

Who it is for: rural youth from poor families, within an age range set by the scheme, with relaxations for certain groups. Check the official eligibility criteria for current details.

What it provides: skill training through approved project implementing agencies, with an emphasis on placement after training. Many batches are residential.

How to apply: through the official DDU-GKY channels and your State Rural Livelihood Mission. Your block or district rural development office can tell you about upcoming batches.

• Ask the agency for its approval details and verify them with the state mission.
• Get the trade, duration, location and placement terms in writing.
• For residential batches, ask about hostel facilities and safety, especially for women trainees.

NAPS: National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme

What it is: a scheme to promote apprenticeship under the Apprentices Act, 1961, run by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

Who it is for: people who want to learn on the job in a real workplace — school pass-outs, ITI and skill course certificate holders and others, depending on the trade. Graduates and diploma holders can also look at NATS on nats.education.gov.in.

What it provides: a registered apprenticeship contract, a stipend, practical training, and a certificate after assessment. Under NAPS the government has shared part of the stipend, paid by direct benefit transfer.

How to apply: register as a candidate on apprenticeshipindia.gov.in, complete your profile and apply to establishments. Stipend amounts and rules are notified officially and can change.

Step-by-step instructions: how to apply for an apprenticeship under NAPS.

PM Vishwakarma

What it is: a scheme for traditional artisans and craftspeople, led by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

Who it is for: according to the official portal, artisans and craftspeople who work with their hands and tools in one of 18 family-based traditional trades, in the unorganised sector on a self-employment basis. The listed trades include carpenter, boat maker, blacksmith, goldsmith, potter, cobbler, mason, barber, washerman, tailor (darzi) and others. The portal also lists conditions on age, family members, government employees and previous loans under similar schemes.

What it provides, as listed on the portal:

• Recognition through a PM Vishwakarma certificate and ID card.
• Skill verification followed by basic training, with an option of advanced training, and a training stipend.
• A toolkit incentive.
• Collateral-free enterprise development loans in tranches, at a concessional interest rate.
• An incentive for digital transactions, and marketing support such as quality certification, branding and e-commerce linkage.

How to apply: registration has been done through Common Service Centres with verification at different levels. The portal states that its registration target was achieved in September 2025, so check the official portal or your nearest CSC to find out whether new registrations are currently accepted.

National Career Service (NCS)

What it is: the national job portal of the Ministry of Labour and Employment. It is a service rather than a funded scheme.

Who it is for: all job seekers, including freshers, persons with disabilities and ex-servicemen.

What it provides: job listings, job fairs, career counselling through career centres, information on skill providers, and a list of blacklisted entities. The toll-free helpline shown on the portal is 1514.

How to apply: register free as a job seeker on ncs.gov.in. See our NCS registration guide.

Other portals worth knowing

• National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in): scholarships for students; see our NSP guide.
• myScheme (myscheme.gov.in): a government platform to discover schemes you may be eligible for by answering a few questions.
• Udyam Registration (udyamregistration.gov.in): free registration for micro, small and medium enterprises, useful for self-employed people.
• State skill missions: most states run their own skill development programmes; check your state's official skill or employment department website.

Which scheme fits your situation?

Worked examples: matching schemes to people

These fictional profiles show how to think through the options. In each case, the next step is to check the official portal for current eligibility.

Keep a scheme document kit ready

Most schemes ask for similar documents. Keeping them ready, scanned and named clearly, saves repeated trips:

• Aadhaar, with your current mobile number linked.
• Bank passbook of an account in your name, seeded with Aadhaar for DBT.
• Class 10 and other marksheets and certificates.
• Income, caste or disability certificate where relevant, within validity.
• Passport-size photographs.
• For artisans: any proof of the trade you practise, as the scheme specifies.

See the student documents checklist for scanning and storage tips. Check validity dates on income and caste certificates every year, because many schemes reject expired certificates, and getting a new one from the tahsildar or revenue office can take time.

How to avoid scheme fraud

Popular schemes attract people who misuse their names. Protect yourself:

• Apply only through official portals or authorised centres such as CSCs. Type the portal address yourself.
• Be suspicious of anyone asking for money to "confirm" a free seat, loan or benefit.
• Never share OTPs, passwords or bank PINs. Officials do not ask for them.
• Check that your registration appears under your own login with your own mobile number.
• Keep copies of every form, receipt and acknowledgement.
• If a website or message looks official but the address does not end in an official government domain, do not proceed.

Questions to ask any centre that mentions a scheme

1. Which exact scheme is this batch under? Can I see it on the official portal?
2. What is the job role or trade name, and its duration?
3. Is there any fee? If yes, what is it for, and will I get a receipt?
4. Who conducts the final assessment?
5. How will my certificate be issued and verified?
6. What does placement support actually include?

The same questions apply to private courses, including Nipun India's: ask what you are joining, what it costs, and how the certificate can be verified. Our parent's guide to choosing a training center has a fuller checklist.

Frequently asked questions