Deepak Byotra
The Government of India has launched several flagship initiatives to nurture skill development, promote entrepreneurship, and foster a culture of innovation and self-employment among youth. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has implemented several other impactful initiatives under the Skill India Mission, aimed at equipping citizens with industry-relevant skills. The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) remains a cornerstone of this mission, offering short-term skill-based training to enhance employability. This is further complemented by the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras (PMKK), which are standardized model training centers providing high-quality infrastructure and skill training across the nation. Schemes such as the Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) target individuals with limited formal education, particularly school dropouts, and focus on community-based skill development. The National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) encourages the industry to absorb apprentices by subsidizing part of their stipends and training costs. Meanwhile, the Pradhan Mantri YUVA Yojana aims at cultivating entrepreneurial mindsets among young people. With the growing demand for digital skill integration, the Skill India Digital (SID) platform offers AI-powered job matching and continuous online learning.
Additionally, the PM Vishwakarma Yojana supports traditional artisans in upskilling, formal recognition and integration into broader value chains. While these schemes are commendable in vision and design, their effectiveness on the ground often faces practical challenges. Being closely associated with such programs, one cannot overlook that despite the structured framework and financial investment, the actual outcome in terms of job creation and self-reliance remains limited. The core objective of these schemes is not merely to provide jobs but to nurture a mindset of entrepreneurship, encouraging individuals to create employment for themselves and others. However, a persistent issue is the mindset of the beneficiaries, many of whom complete training and then immediately ask, “Will I get a job now?” This highlights a gap in orientation and counseling.
At the same time, training centers and implementing agencies often prioritize numerical targets over qualitative outcomes focusing on enrollment and completion rather than long-term impact or sustainability. For example, in trades such as carpentry, tool making, smithy, welding, CNC etc. students often receive starter kits upon course completion. But what follows next? Very little follow-up or mentoring happens to ensure whether these individuals have actually launched their services, sustained them, or need handholding to survive the early phase of entrepreneurship. Comparing this with countries like China, USA and European nations, one observes a stronger culture of accountability and self-drive. In China, particularly, massive reforms have taken place within a decades and the workforce is known to go beyond traditional working hours in pursuit of growth and innovation. This culture of diligence and responsibility is vital if India is to realize the dream of Viksit Bharat by 2047, a vision echoed by the Prime Minister. The call by Infosys founder and other visionaries to adopt a 12-hour work ethic may have sparked debates, but the idea stems from the belief in India’s young demographic over 65% of the population which is under the age of 35.
This youth dividend can be India’s greatest strength, if properly guided, mentored and supported in their entrepreneurial journeys. To ensure the success of these government schemes, the role of civil society, industries, bankers and local governance bodies (like Panchayats, Sarpanches, VLWs) becomes critical. Their involvement as stakeholders and watchdogs can bridge the gap between policy and practice, ensuring better outreach, awareness and on-ground monitoring. Roping them into the implementation framework can foster local ownership, leading to improved results.
Moreover, student counseling must be strengthened across schools, colleges and skill centers to build confidence, clarify expectations and reduce the fear of failure or loan default. Unless such systemic support is built around these schemes, they risk becoming one-way efforts, with limited return on the government’s investment and public expectations. In conclusion, while the government has laid a strong foundation for skill development and entrepreneurship, the real transformation will come when these schemes are backed by cultural change, institutional support and grassroots accountability. Only then will India unlock the full potential of its youth and move confidently toward the vision of a developed nation.
(The author is an engineer)
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